Counselling Agreement

This agreement explains some of the practical arrangements and boundaries for our work together. It is intended to help us have a clear shared understanding of how counselling will work.

If there is anything you are unsure about, please ask me.

Our work together

I offer Integrative Counselling to adults aged 18 and over. Our work will be shaped around you, what brings you to counselling and what you would like to explore.

Counselling is a collaborative process. We can review how the work is going and discuss anything you would like us to approach differently.

Where appropriate, we may also discuss other ways of working, including EMDR or the Rewind Technique.

Sessions

Most counselling sessions are 60 minutes. EMDR sessions may be 60 or 90 minutes, depending on what we agree is appropriate.

Sessions may take place face-to-face, online, by telephone or, where agreed, as Walk & Talk counselling.

Appointments are generally weekly, although we may agree a different frequency.

Fees

Online counselling – 60 minutes: £40 AM (off-peak) / £50 PM (peak)

Face-to-face counselling – 60 minutes: £50 AM (off-peak) / £60 PM (peak)

Payment

Payment is normally due 24 hours before your appointment.

Payment can be made through Konfidens, by bank transfer or by cash where agreed.

Cancellations and rearranging appointments

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please give at least 24 hours’ notice.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are normally charged at the full session fee.

If I need to cancel an appointment, you will not be charged and I will offer another appointment where possible.

Confidentiality

What you tell me in counselling is treated confidentially.

There may be circumstances where I need to consider sharing information if I am seriously concerned about your safety, including if I believe you may be at risk of harming yourself, or if I believe there may be a serious risk of harm to someone else.

There may also be circumstances where I am required to disclose information by law.

Where it is appropriate and safe to do so, I would aim to discuss this with you before sharing information.

As part of my professional practice, I also discuss my clinical work within professional supervision. Supervision helps me practise safely and ethically, and identifying information is kept to the minimum necessary.

Notes and personal information

I keep brief counselling notes and relevant information necessary for our work together.

Records are stored securely and are normally retained for three years after counselling has ended.

More information about how personal information is handled is available in my Privacy Policy.

Online and telephone counselling

For online or telephone sessions, please try to attend from somewhere private where you feel able to speak freely and are unlikely to be interrupted.

If an online connection fails, we can try to reconnect or agree another way to continue the session where appropriate.

Walk & Talk counselling

Walk & Talk sessions take place outdoors and therefore cannot provide the same level of privacy as counselling in a private room.

We can discuss beforehand what we will do if we encounter someone either of us knows and any other practical considerations relating to the session.

Contact between sessions

Telephone, text and email can be used for practical matters such as arranging or changing appointments.

They are not intended to provide ongoing counselling between sessions.

Emergencies and crisis support

My counselling service is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you are in immediate danger, at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, or require urgent medical assistance, please contact the emergency services or an appropriate NHS urgent-care service rather than waiting for a response from me.

Ending counselling

You can decide to end counselling at any time.

Where possible, it can be helpful to discuss ending together so that we have an opportunity to reflect on our work and bring the counselling to a considered close.

I may also discuss ending or referring you to another service if I believe your needs would be better supported elsewhere.

Questions about this agreement

Please ask if anything in this agreement is unclear or if there is something you would like us to discuss.

The purpose of this agreement is to provide clear boundaries and expectations while allowing our counselling work to remain responsive to you as an individual.