Terms and Conditions
This is a mutual agreement negotiated between the Counsellor and the Client prior to the commencement of counselling.
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It sets out the responsibilities of me as a counsellor towards
my clients, and also the client’s responsibilities in the counselling relationship.
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Confidentiality:
This is a very important aspect of the counselling relationship.
Everything that is discussed in
the counselling session is kept in the strictest confidence.
As a member of COSCA I am required to have regular
supervision and will need to discuss my work with a supervisor on a regular basis.
However, I will not disclose your name or anything that would enable you to be identified.
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If there is convincing evidence that you intend to harm yourself or others, I might need to break confidentiality by informing your doctor with your consent if possible, or in serious cases the police, again this would ideally
only take place with your prior knowledge
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In all other circumstances any disclosure would
require a court order, even in circumstances in which you, the client, request such disclosure (e.g. court case, insurance claim etc).
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No files are kept about you but I might keep brief notes after a session, which will be anonymised and securely stored, and there is no way you would be able to be identified from the notes.
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Sessions:
Sessions last 50 minutes (the therapeutic hour) and will ideally be on the same day and time.
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If you arrive part way
through your allotted time that you are scheduled for, I will see you for the remainder of the time.
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Any missed sessions will need to paid for at the agreed rate. Finally, if you miss 2 consecutive sessions without
contact, I will assume that you are no longer able to attend and withdraw your space to enable other clients to attend.
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Fees:
Fees are to be paid at the start of each session.
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Cancellation and Holidays:
Cancellation of an appointment or failure to show for an appointment,
will incur the full agreed
fee. Appointments missed
because you are on
a holiday pre-notified at assessment or contract stage
are not charged for. 48 hours notice is required for cancellations except in emergencies.
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Duration of Counselling:
You will be offered a counselling contract up to 12 weeks in duration. This may be extended if required.
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Endings:
If you feel that you want to end the relationship before 12 weeks, it is important that you are able to talk to your counsellor about the situation first.
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Complaints:
If you
have a complaint about me my complaints procedures are available upon request.