Counselling Agreement

Your counsellor will commit to talking with you at the agreed times and dates. We will provide a safe, confidential setting in which you can explore your issues and difficulties, and, if appropriate, move towards change.

You, as the client, are committing yourself to talking with your counsellor regularly at the agreed times and endeavouring to make constructive use of the time.

The Consultation Session

The purpose of the consultation session is to discuss the areas that you feel you want to address, provide some background information about yourself and to agree the number of counselling sessions you want to have.

Six sessions on a weekly basis is usually a good place to start.

After six weeks there will be review of where you are.

You and your counsellor can then either choose to continue, or terminate the agreement.

During the consultation the counsellor will also detail boundaries of confidentiality, what happens if either you or the counsellor are ill, and cover any other questions that you may have.

If you decide after the consultation session that you want to go ahead with telephone counselling, we will arrange the times and method of payment.

If you decide to pay by cheque, then we will need to allow enough time prior to your first appointment for the cheque to arrive and clear.

The consultation session lasts for 30 minutes, and is free of charge.


Confidentiality

The counselling sessions are confidential but with the following exceptions:

• Counsellors are required to receive regular supervision of their work in order to maintain competent and safe practice and therefore sessions may be discussed, in confidence, with a qualified supervisor. Every effort will be made to maintain client confidentiality. Furthermore, Supervisors are also bound by the BACP Ethical Framework guidelines regarding confidentiality
  
  
• Intent to harm oneself or others might need to be discussed, and possible further action may be appropriate.
  
  

Counsellors are legally obliged to disclose any information regarding acts of terrorism to the appropriate authorities.

Cancellations

Where possible, we require 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or change the time of the session.

If for some reason your counsellor needs to cancel or reschedule the session, they would likewise be required to give you at least 24 hours notice.

Late or Missed Sessions

If you are late calling for your session, the end time will remain the same.

Sessions missed without notice will be charged for at the full price.

Duration and Termination

Sessions last for 50 minutes.

We would normally ask that you commit to at least six session initially.

After six weeks there will be a review, where you can choose to either carry on, or terminate the agreement.

Records

Written records will be kept to a minimum, consisting of information such as contact details, name of doctor and dates of sessions.

All information will be stored securely and confidentially.