Terms of Service

Payment for sessions is due the same day your session takes place. Payment can be made via bank transfer before or after the session or in cash if seen face to face. 

Discounts for booking 6 sessions at a time are only available when paid for in advance, otherwise typical fees per session are applicable.

Payment reminders will be sent if payment is not received by the end of the day and I reserve the right to suspend sessions if payments fall into arrears.  

I ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice if you are unable to attend a session. If there is less than 24 hours notice or no contact is made, payment is required in full. Missed sessions are also payable for the full cost. 

Where I need to rearrange a session, you will be provided with as much notice as possible and an alternative appointment time/day.  

I have no set minimum or maximum number of sessions and I am happy to work at your pace and to your needs, whether that is in the short or long term. We will have regular reviews (typically every 6 sessions) to assess progress and check goals which could lead to the consideration of stopping the sessions. Clients can choose to stop sessions whenever they feel ready, however I would ask for notice to ensure a positive end to the therapeutic relationship. 

I understand that sometimes therapy can feel particularly overwhelming or exhausting. If you are feeling like you need to take a break from sessions, this can be brought up at any time and we can discuss together the best course of action for your circumstances, whether that is conclusion of sessions or moving from weekly meetings to fortnightly or monthly.

For all remote sessions, I will be in a confidential, private space and you will be encouraged to have privacy to enable a better therapeutic experience without distraction or interruption. For face to face work we will be in a private room where others will be unable to hear or see us to ensure complete privacy and confidentiality unless there is an external reason such as an emergency. 

All of your personal details will be kept anonymised and confidential, and any meeting notes coded and kept separate from personal information. Your confidentiality within the therapy room is a high priority for me to allow you the safe and comfortable environment to explore your goals and problems at your pace.

However, it is pertinent that I highlight the limitations of confidentiality and in certain circumstances I am compelled to break it. In most cases, I can speak to you prior to breaking confidentiality, but there are set limitations that would refrain me from doing so. 

The limits of confidentiality include:

• If there is a serious risk of harm to another individual or yourself. This is not including acts such as self-harm which we can discuss as part of our sessions, but the real disclosed attempt to cause serious harm to yourself or another person. In most cases we can discuss severity before breaking confidentiality but this may not always be the case.
• if you inform me that you intend to commit a criminal offence I am bound to inform the relevant authorities. These acts include (but aren't limited to) trafficking, money laundering, drugs or weapons distribution or terrorism.
• I have regular supervision where I anonymously discuss my caseload with a more experienced senior counsellor to guide, support and advise me where I need it. I avoid using names and any identifiable details, typically only referring to clients by their chosen pronouns. The focus of these sessions are to inform my way of working and though I may share select elements of our journey together, the focus is on myself and my work, not on you. This is a confidential space I utilise to ensure I am working with your best interests in mind and gain different insight into my practice. 
• I am bound by the ethical guidelines and professional integrity of the BACP who are my chosen governing body and set forth the professional governing codes and rules I adhere to.
• If summoned by law to provide information about you or notes from our sessions.

If you wish to discuss any elements of confidentiality, I am more than happy to provide more information and answer any questions. 

I am active on select social media platforms with my accounts appearing with restricted view to protect my family's privacy. I do not accept social media requests from current or former clients to uphold boundaries and the integrity of our time together. I infrequently check my private messages on those platforms so please contact me via email or on the contact section of this website to ensure a timely reply. I hope you understand my reasons for doing this. 

I understand that not everyone holds the same working hours and try to be as prompt as possible with replies but these can take up to 48 hours and be outside of typical 9-5pm working days. There is no obligation to reply immediately, and I do not mind emails reaching me at all hours! I have set working hours that work for me and will respond to you within those times. My contact preference is via email as it feels more manageable but I try to respond in the manner that has been initiated unless told otherwise. This can include text, call or email. 

Despite holding some training, I am not a crisis counsellor. Should you find yourself in crisis and needing immediate support, please contact either 999, NHS 111 or other crisis support lines such as Cruse Bereavement on 0808 808 1677, or Samaritans on 116 123.