When we start working together I will email you a welcome pack.

We will make a Therapy Contract about how, where and when we would like to work together, for how long and at what times we will review. However, there are a few terms we need to agree in advance.

Therapy Room and Access
My practice address is 44 Bristol Road Lower, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 2PS. There are a few steps to access the room. Parking is free and available on-street, but please allow time to find a parking space. There is no waiting room, please don’t arrive before your scheduled waiting time as I may be working with somebody else.

Confidentiality
Anything shared during therapy remains in strictest confidence and will not be shared with third parties unless required by law or unless it falls within the scope of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society’s safeguarding policy.

Fees and Sessions
My fee is £65 for a 50 minute session. Sessions are weekly at the same time. You are not financially committed to a contract and may stop therapy at any time, although please give notice to cancel sessions that have already been booked.

Payment
Payment must be made in advance and can be made via bank transfer prior to the initial appointment or by debit or credit card payment or cash. Cheques not accepted.

Holidays and Absences
From time to time I will be unavailable for regularly scheduled sessions due to holidays. In this event I will give plenty of notice. I usually work to Term-time but can be flexible if needed.

Cancellation policy

• Online work: Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment are charged at the full rate of the session rate. Missed appointments are payable in full.

• Face-to-face work: Please aim to give one week’s notice of a cancellation wherever possible. Missed appointments must be paid for in full.

Contacting me: The best way to contact me, for example if you need to tell me of a cancellation or late arrival is by texting my mobile phone or by emailing me. I will make contact with you via email or text, if you do not want me to use either method, please let me know.

Contact between sessions: Please limit these communications to brief, factual information as any therapeutic material should be dealt with in session. To protect your confidential information please be careful with what you say in emails and texts. 

To maintain your privacy and to maintain safe boundaries, I will not discuss any aspect of your therapy with you outside of the therapy session. Messages sent outside of working hours typically won’t be seen or actioned until the next working day.

Please consider what support you have available to you between sessions. I am not able to offer support between sessions, but can signpost you to other organisations which may be able to offer further support.

Therapy Work
Psychotherapeutic Counselling is a talking therapy and does not constitute a medical intervention or medical advice. I am not a qualified medical practitioner or psychiatrist, and cannot diagnose or give opinions on medical issues and diagnoses, advise on medical treatments or make prescriptions. It is recommended that you consult your GP or Health Care professional before embarking on psychological or complementary therapies.

GSRD
I am committed to gender, sexuality and relationship diversity. Come to therapy as yourself, without fear of judgment or bias.

Endings
Ending therapy is the client’s right and choice at all times. If you wish to end the therapy you don’t need to justify that decision and you can keep your reasons private if you need to. There may be times when I may need to stop working with you and refer you to another practitioner: if the work moves outside my competency, for example, or of a conflict of interest develops where I could not continue ethically or safely. If this is the case I will discuss it with you and make recommendations for a referral.

Attendance
Therapy requires commitment and the building of a relationship. If you are regularly cancelling, this may not be the right time for you to be in therapy, or I may not be able to work effectively with you and may need to offer the slot to those on the waiting list. If I think this is the case I will discuss it with you and make recommendations for a referral.

Accreditation and code of ethics
I am a member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), hold a Prof Dip in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics. Professional indemnity insurance cover is with Oxygen, providing cover for face-to-face, online work and overseas clients.

GDPR
I store data and maintain up-to-date encrypted and passwor-protected electronic records of therapy sessions, treatment plans and outcomes and encrypted electronic records of invoicing and billing. Paper documentation is stored in a lockable cabinet. You may request at any time to see the electronic information I hold on you. I am required by my insurers to keep written records for seven years and may not be able to legally delete records until that time has elapsed.