Counselling Agreement

This page forms the basis of our agreement to work together and my commitment to you.

As our work together is bespoke to you, I am more than happy, at any time, to discuss other items to be included in our unique contract.

Ethics

I am a qualified counsellor bound by ethical frameworks for good practice. I currently am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).  My commitment means that I will:

Work with you, valuing you as a unique person and treating you fairly regardless of our similarities and differences

Work lawfully and ethically to promote wellbeing

Respecting your right to autonomy, be willing to discuss how we work together and respect your right to end counselling when you consider it to be right for you

Behave in a trustworthy way, generally work to professional standards

My qualifications and insurance support me working with you in person (in person at the same location) or at a distance (for example, over video conferencing platforms or telephone)

I will check in to ensure you’re comfortable with how we’re working together, so I can support you in the most effective way. I hope you’ll feel able to raise any concerns with me directly. However, if at any point you feel unable to do so, you can access the BACP's formal complaints procedure. Available at www.bacp.co.uk 

Confidentiality

The information that you share verbally with me is confidential.  There are some exceptions to maintaining confidentiality to which I am ethically and/or legally bound:

If you share information to indicate that a child, young or vulnerable person may be at risk.  In these instances, the safety and wellbeing of the young person must be a prime consideration

If I believe that you intend to cause or have caused serious harm or injury to another person or to yourself

If there is an issue of national security or if a serious crime has been committed

If issues relating to safeguarding arise in our conversations, I will explore the issues with you so that we can work out an appropriate next step

Information about how I use, store and process information from our work is detailed in the working confidentiality page

Record Keeping

As part of ethical practice I am required to make some notes and to attend Clinical Supervision to support my working with you to professional standards. In doing so, we both comply with GDP Regulations.  Therefore any information that you share with me is treated as sensitive and I will protect it respectfully. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to discuss this with me.

Information I need from you

I do need some personal information, such as your address and various contact details.  I will only ask for information that will help me in working with you to ensure accurate record keeping. 

I also request your doctor’s information.  This is so that, in the unlikely event of an accident or incident, I am able to use the information in dealing with emergency services or situations.  I ask for a next of kin contact for the same reason.  

About our meetings

Our meetings are always to be organised in advance. The services I provide does not include crisis support. If this is a concern for you, please discuss this with me as I am willing to arrange sessions at short notice, either face-to-face, subject to room availability, or on the telephone/video call.

Meetings are usually 60 minutes unless otherwise discussed and fees are charged accordingly.  

What happens if either of us is unable to attend? 

Where possible, please give 24 hours’ notice that you need to cancel/rearrange the appointment, preferably by text (07356274346) or email (christine@cs-counselling.com). 

Likewise, I will notify you as soon as possible if I find that I am unable to attend a meeting that we have arranged.

Communications between us outside of our sessions

We have lots of ways in which we can communicate.  The ethics require that I try to use appropriate methods of communication for the conversation that we are having.  For example, there are certain things that are inappropriate to share over text, however, changing or arranging the time and dates of our sessions may be easier by text than another method.  Any communication between us, other than arranging dates and time of a meeting, may need to be recorded in my notes.  If you have any questions whatsoever about this, please discuss it with me.

Please do not be offended if I do not engage in social media with you.  Again, there are ethical considerations that I have to take into account.

Another thing to note is that whilst I do my best to respond quickly to text messages, telephone calls and emails, it is likely that I may not be able to respond immediately: Please know that I will respond as soon as I am able.  If you have any concerns about this, again, please discuss this with me.