Client Agreement

Counselling and therapy sessions last for 50 minutes. Sessions are usually open-ended and once agreed, sessions will be held at the same time and day each week. Establishing a reliable pattern is important to the work we do. Sessions begin and end at the appointed times. It will not be possible to extend the length of your session if you attend late. Sessions may be rescheduled in the same week where possible depending on availability, to avoid a cancelled session. 

Please arrive on time and no earlier than 5 minutes before our session is scheduled to begin. Both you and I maintain the right to change to a remote session due to illness or work commitments until 24 hours before the session. Cancellations will still be charged. I reserve the right to offer 12 sessions of remote working per year. 

There is a waiting room and toilets at both locations.

Accessibility: The Finsbury Park room is on the ground floor, with two steps from street level to the room. The toilet is at street level with the doorway of a standard size. The Walthamstow room is on the first floor.

Some clinical conditions are not suitable for remote sessions. I use Psychology Today for our meetings and will email you the link; no account creation is needed. Please work from a private room to ensure confidentiality and minimise disruptions. You will be admitted at the session start time, and late arrivals cannot extend their session. If the internet drops, we will try to reconnect or switch to a phone call.

Both parties must avoid being overheard; headphones are advised. Ensure you are in a quiet place without distractions for a safe, confidential environment. If you are in a public space, the session will be terminated, and charges will still apply.

I will notify you about any planned breaks ahead of time, typically during Christmas, around Easter, and Summer.

Once we agree on a contract, your weekly time is reserved, and sessions must be paid for even if you do not attend. You will not be charged for my absences or cancellations I make when I am not able to offer the agreed service. We will try to reschedule sessions within the same week to avoid a missed session, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Fees can be paid in person with cash or by bank transfer. Please ensure that payments are made regularly on the same day as your session. Arrangements can be made for monthly payment, which can be discussed at your session. Fees will be reviewed annually and you will be given at least 2 month’s notice of any fee changes. Before the two-month period has ended we will discuss the upcoming fee change, reviewing the new amount or working towards an ending. Please make contact if you are experiencing financial difficulties, it is important that counselling is not terminated abruptly.

No refunds will be given.

Clients who have been engaged in open-ended therapy and are contemplating ending are required to provide at least 4 sessions notice. This time frame allows the opportunity for reflection on the progress made and potential areas for future exploration. Giving attention to the conclusion of therapy enables us to fully consider the entirety of the therapeutic journey and the therapeutic relationship. The process of ending therapy can be emotive, requiring careful attention and processing over time.

My service is confidential; what you share remains between us. I keep brief notes in an anonymised, password protected file. However, confidentiality may be breached in certain situations, which we will discuss openly.

Risk to Self or Others: If you or someone else is at risk, confidentiality will be breached as required by law and ethics.

Illegal Activities: Activities like money laundering and terrorism must be reported by law.

Court Order: A judge can request to see counselling notes.

Clinical Supervision: I undergo regular supervision to ensure best practice, session information is anonymised to maintain confidentiality.

Outside of Sessions: If we meet outside sessions, I will not acknowledge you to respect your privacy. If you acknowledge me, I will respond briefly.

Identifying information included with payments you make may be shared with my bank, accountant and HMRC.

In the event of any possible distress requiring urgent support outside the scope of the service being offered, please do contact further assistance such as your local A&E, GPs, The Samaritans, friends or family. 

In accordance with legal obligations and ethical guidelines, I am required to report instances of serious risk of harm or neglect to health. Depending on the severity of the risk/safeguarding concern, your information may be shared with your GP, the local crisis team, or the relevant local authorities. Prior to any disclosure, I will endeavour to communicate with you to determine the most appropriate course of action and how to share information with the relevant agencies for the protection of all involved.

Any clinical records kept will be safely held in line with the Data Protection Act. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This agreement acts as your consent for personal information to be held securely.

For more information please see the privacy policy.