Counselling Contract

Frequency of sessions

We will agree on how often we will meet. Usually this will be once a week or once a fortnight but can be more frequent for a limited period if we agree that this will benefit you.

Where we meet

Our sessions will take place at Cottage 1, Follaton House, Totnes (or another specified location). If this needs to change for any reason, I will give you as much notice as possible.

How we will work together

When we start work together, we will talk about why you want counselling and what change you might want to see at the end of our work together. As an integrative counsellor I use a range of different theories and methods in my work. 

Counselling frequently involves talking about difficult experiences and feelings. Taking risks by talking about things we find difficult if often beneficial but can be very painful and distressing. I will aim to help you or your young person to take any risks in what they share at a pace that feels as safe you/them.

Review

At regular intervals I will suggest that we review our work to make sure that as far as possible your young person is getting the results you want.

Charges and payment

After our initial session my standard charge is £60 per session. Payable before or within 24 hours of session.

Cancelling sessions and non-attendance

If you need to cancel a session and give me more than 48 hours’ notice, there will be no charge for the cancelled session. If you give notice of less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours there will be a £30 charge. If you give less than 24 hours’ notice, there will be a £60 charge.

If I need to cancel a session for any reason, I will aim to give you as much notice as possible and arrange an alternative session. 

Contact between sessions

I do not offer additional telephone support between sessions. However, in exceptional circumstances I may be able to provide this to you and/or help you to find additional support from other sources. 

Ending our work together

Endings are important. We will generally agree when the time has come for our work together to end. I would ask that once we have made this decision, we have one further session to bring our work to a close. There may be circumstances in which I do not believe it would benefit you for us to continue working together. If this happens, I will explain why and offer to help you to find another counsellor. As with agreed endings, I would ask that we have one further session to bring our work to a close.

Confidentiality

In general, anything that you share with me in our sessions will remain entirely confidential. However, if the client shares with me information relating to specific forms of illegal activity, i.e. terrorism, money laundering or drug dealing, I am obliged to inform the authorities and will endeavour to make you aware of this.

I cannot guarantee to maintain confidentiality if you share anything that leads me to believe that either they or another person is at risk of serious harm. In this situation I will aim to get your consent before informing authorities else but cannot guarantee this.

I am required to meet with a supervisor to discuss my work. In doing this I will not share any of your personal details which would enable my supervisor to identify you.

For more information relating to my approach to confidentiality and managing your personal information please see my information and privacy notice.

Complaints 

I will endeavour to sort any complaints in the first person however if this is not possible for any reason complaints can be forwarded to the NCPS on conduct@ncps.com quoting my membership number NC521-00915.