Session times and frequency

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• We will meet weekly at the same time, on the same day as agreed between us.

• Sessions last for 50 minutes.

• In order that clients can arrive and leave in privacy, please try to arrive on time.

• If you arrive late without prior notice, I’ll be available for the full session. However, I will not be able to extend sessions beyond the scheduled duration.

• Please let me know as soon as possible if you’ll be late or unable to attend a session.

 

Payment of fees

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• We will agree a weekly fee at the start of our contract. This will be subject to periodic review.

• I will give at least two months’ notice of any increase.

• Payment can be made in cash or via bank transfer. Fees must be paid before the start of each session.

 

 

Cancellations and planned absences

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• Notice of at least 48 hours is required if you are unable to attend a session.

• The full session fee will be charged for sessions cancelled or unattended outside of this period. Kindly note that there are no exceptions to this policy.

• If you need to reschedule a session at short notice, I will try to offer you an alternative time either in-person or online, subject to session availability.

• I will give you as much notice as possible of any planned absences or holidays. I ask that you do the same.

 

Contact between sessions

 

• My telephone number and email address are only to be used for the purposes of arranging, rearranging or cancelling appointments. All discussions of a therapeutic nature are to be confined to our sessions.

• Messages and calls will only be picked up on an irregular basis throughout the day. My working days are Monday-Friday. I will not respond to messages on weekends.

• I will reply to all messages as soon as possible. However, in my absence, should you experience an emergency please contact either the Emergency Services or if you are feeling suicidal, ring The Samaritans on 116 123.

• We shall not meet or have contact outside of the counselling sessions. Unless otherwise agreed between us, I will not acknowledge you, should we meet in a public space.

 

Confidentiality

 

Information you share with me remains fully private and confidential except in the following circumstances:

• If your safety or the safety of others is at risk.

• I regularly discuss my work with my clinical supervisor. This is standard practice and helps me to work as well as I can with you. Names or any other identifying information is never shared, and my supervisor is bound by the same code of ethics as me.

• In the case of disclosures concerning acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act.

• If I am compelled by a court of law to disclose notes/information.

 

Ethics and code of conduct

 

• I am a registered member of the BACP and work within their Ethical Framework.

• BACP Membership No: 993389

• BACP Register No: 413702

• A copy of the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions can be found on the BACP’s website: BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions

 

 

If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines, please feel free to raise them with me in our sessions.