Counselling Contract

Rights and Responsibilities

This page contains information about my professional services and business policies.
Counselling is a relationship that works in part, because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in counselling, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. The counsellor has corresponding responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.

Appointments

Appointments are usually once a week at an agreed time, and are reserved for you in advance.

If you have to cancel or reschedule a session, you are required to give me 3 days’ notice.

If you miss a session without cancelling, or cancel with less than 3 days’ notice, you will be required to pay for the session. However where available an alternative appointment will be offered to you prior to your next regular session at no extra cost.
In addition, you are responsible for coming to your session on time, if you are late your appointment will still need to end on time.

Confidentiality

Your counsellor will make every effort to keep your personal information private in accordance with the governing bodies that I subscribe to namely: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the College for Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) please see links below.
As a subscriber to Information Commissioners Office your personal information is protected under the data protection act, to find out more please see https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/personal-information/ or see link below.
The law requires that information be given to the appropriate authorities in cases of abuse to children or the elderly.
Should a counsellor receives a court order or subpoena, she will be required to release some information. In such a case your counsellor will consult with other professionals i.e. lawyers to be advised as to what is required by law.
Your counsellor consults with a supervisor in order to maintain a high standard of service, she too is bound by strict BACP and CORT codes of conduct.

Contacting Me

I am often not immediately available by telephone, for instance when i am already in a session. At these times you may leave a message on my confidential voice mail and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
If your situation is urgent and cannot wait for a return call you are advised to contact the emergency services or go to your local hospital, alternatively you may call Samaritans on 020 7734 2800.