Counselling Contract
1. Session Times and Frequency
1.1 To begin, we will meet once each week at an agreed time and day for a 60-minute session, unless otherwise discussed. As therapy proceeds, you may wish to reduce this weekly pattern to suit your therapeutic needs.
1.2 I recommend an initial minimum of 6 sessions to allow our work to evolve. After that, it is easier for you to make an informed decision about whether you wish to continue your counselling. If you continue beyond the first six sessions, the work period becomes open-ended until we conclude by mutual agreement.
1.3 If you are late for a session, I will be there for you for the duration of the session. I will not work beyond the agreed session end time.
1.4 I require you to inform me with as much notice as possible if you are going to be late or unable to attend a session.
2: Fees
2.1 We will agree on a weekly fee at the start of our contract. This will be subject to periodic review.
2.2 I will give at least one month’s notice of any increase.
2.3 Payment is due before the session via BAC or standing order; fees must be transferred to my account 24 hours before the start of each session, unless otherwise discussed. Unfortunately, I will be unable to proceed with the booked counselling session if the fee hasn’t been received.
3: Contact outside of sessions
3.1 My telephone number and email address are for use in the case of cancellations or alterations. I will not enter into telephone or email counselling except in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement.
3.2 My telephone number is not staffed continually, and messages will only be picked up on an irregular basis throughout the day. My working days are Monday-Thursday. I will not respond to messages outside of these days.
3.3 I will reply to all messages as soon as possible. However, in my absence, should you experience an emergency, don't hesitate to get in touch with either the emergency services or, if you are feeling suicidal, ring The Samaritans on 116 123. If you feel that this may be an issue, please discuss it with me.
3.4 I do not initiate or accept Social Networking ‘Friends Requests’ from clients, as this can compromise the confidential and therapeutic nature of the counselling relationship.
3.5 We shall not meet or have contact outside of the Counselling sessions. I will not make it known that I know or recognise you should we meet in a public space.
4: Commitment
4.1 At times, counselling can be very demanding, frustrating and emotional – just plain difficult – and you may feel reluctant to attend. This can be part of the therapeutic process. I ask that you make a firm commitment to attend regularly and keep absences to a minimum, especially when it feels difficult for you.
4.2 Clients need to be able to participate freely as they work with practitioners of the counselling professions towards their desired goals. This requires clients to trust their practitioner with their well-being and sensitive personal information. Therefore, as a member of the ACC, I regard trustworthiness as a serious ethical commitment. Please read my commitment below.
https://www.acc-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ACC-Ethics-and-Practice.pdf
5: Confidentiality and its limits
5.1 The content of our sessions is confidential to you (the client) and to me (the counsellor),
5.2 I have regular clinical supervision with a qualified professional where I discuss my work in confidence. This is standard practice and helps me work with you as effectively as possible.
5.3 As part of my practice, I may use case material to illustrate and inform my writings in journals, supervision and ongoing studies. When any material is used, details will be changed to protect the client’s identity.
5.4 On rare occasions, it may be necessary to break confidentiality, but only if my supervisor or I believe you are in danger of seriously harming yourself or someone else.
5.5 In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act, confidentiality will be broken, and such disclosures will be passed on to the relevant authority without delay. I am liable to civil or court proceedings if such information is not disclosed.
5.6 Any necessary change to our confidentiality agreement will be made with prior consultation with you. This is in line with the ACC Code of Ethics.
5.7 It is important that you tell me about any medication you may be taking and any therapeutic treatments you receive during our therapeutic relationship.
5.8I make brief notes during each session using Heidi AI. These will be kept in accordance with the ACC Ethical Framework and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These are solely to support my work with you. They are disclosed only to my clinical supervisor, and only if necessary. These notes are securely stored, and you cannot be identified from them.
6: Holidays and Cancellations
6.1 I will give you as much notice as possible of any intended breaks. I ask you to give as much notice as possible of any intended breaks.
6.2 If I am away or unable to attend, you will not have to pay for the scheduled session.
6.3 When you start counselling, a regular weekly commitment is established between you (the client) and me (the counsellor). This means that I cannot be available to anyone else if you miss a session without notice. In those circumstances, I require you to pay the session fee. There are no exceptions to this. I ask you to give 24 hours’ notice of non-attendance. With 24 hours’ notice, there will be no charge for the missed session.
7: Endings
7.1 In the normal course of events, you will probably know when you are ready to finish Counselling, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this. You may at times find Counselling very difficult, become distressed and feel the need to end. I would invite you to discuss these difficulties with me rather than ending abruptly, as an opportunity to resolve important issues may be lost.
7.2 I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the work together, which we would fully discuss at that time.
8: Complaints Procedures, Ethics and code of conduct
8.1 I am a registered member of the ACC and work within its ethical framework.
Registered Counsellor No: RO1671
A copy of the ethical framework for the Counselling Professions can be found on the ACC’s website: https://www.acc-uk.org/about-acc/ethics-policies-and-governance/
8.2 If you are dissatisfied with the service provided, please discuss your concerns with me as a first step. I will respond constructively and professionally to your feedback and stated needs and advise you to the best of my ability.
8.3 If we are unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion to your complaint, I will advise you to contact the ACC Customer Services. They will assist with the complaint procedure.
9: Agreement
9.1 Without your agreement to this counselling contract, it will not be possible to proceed with counselling. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of this contract, please let me know as soon as possible.
9.2 This contract will be subject to periodic review, and you will be notified of any updates.
Lastly
I hope your time with Leon Day Counselling provides a steady, reflective space where you feel genuinely supported, thoughtfully understood, and encouraged to pursue meaningful personal growth at a pace that feels right for you.