Confidentiality

 

Anything shared with me in the course of our work together will be treated as highly confidential.  However, there are some limits to confidentiality, which you need to be aware of:

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In accordance with the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I am required to undertake regular supervision.  For this purpose, I may disclose some details of our work to my supervisor.  I may also be legally or ethically obliged to break confidentiality, for example, where I consider your welfare or the welfare of others to be seriously at risk.

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Wherever possible and safe to do so, I will consult with you before breaching confidentiality.

 

My financial accounts are managed by Oak Accountancy Solutions, Suite 3&4 Orbital House, 3 Redwood Crescent, East Kilbride. If you are in any way associated with the firm, or their staff please do notify me in order that we can come to an alternative arrangement with regards payment of sessions in order to protect your confidentiality.  

 

Sessions

 

Normally we will meet on a weekly or fortnightly basis at a regular time.  I am happy to discuss the number of sessions required and will review this regularly with you throughout the counselling process.

 

Notes

 

In line with the General Data Protection Act 2018 I will store your personal details given in our first session and brief session notes on a secure online platform  which only I have access to, or in the event of being incapacitated my supervisor can gain access. Should I have concerns about your safety I am able to alert the appropriate services such as your GP, or emergency services to ensure your safety. I will hold these records for a period of 5 years as outlined by my insurers. I will not use your details for marketing. If you wish to see the information held on you, you can do so by submitting your request in writing to continuum.counselling@gmail.com  I will make your information available to you within one calendar month. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office ( Ref Number ZA050911)

 

Payments

 

Payment must be received prior to your session start time, for the session to go ahead. If payment is not made, I will assume you no longer plan to attend. Receipts are available upon request. 

Sessions are £50 per 50 minutes. 

For couples counselling, the fee is £70 per 90 minutes.

All fees must be paid in full.  Failure to do so will result in legal proceedings. 

 

Cancellations & Late Attendance

 

24 hours’ notice must be given to cancel / re-arrange a session – if this notice period is not given you will be responsible for full payment of the missed session.  No charges are payable if more than 24 hours’ notice of cancellation is given. Wherever possible, I will give you at least 48 hours’ notice of any change to an arranged appointment.

I will wait for 15 minutes after the start time of the appointment, if you have not attended nor contacted me after 15 minutes I will assume you have decided not to use the appointment – you will be invoiced for the full session fee. 

 

Email / telephone contact and Social Networking

 

Contact by email or telephone in between sessions will be limited to practical arrangements only.  I will not enter into telephone or email counselling except by prior agreement.

I do not accept Social Networking friend requests, as this can compromise the confidential and therapeutic nature of the counselling relationship. I do have a business account which you are welcome to follow on Instagram (@continuumcounselling)

 

Ending counselling

 

Normally, the ending of the counselling contract would be by mutual prior agreement.  However, you have the right to end your counselling at any time.  I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you decide not to attend, giving at least 24 hours’ notice. 

 

Ethical framework

 

I am an Accredited Counsellor of BACP and am bound by their Ethical Framework for Good Practice and am subject to their complaints procedure which can be found online https://bacp.co.uk/crs/complaints.php

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Please ask if you would like a copy of the privacy policy or terms & conditions documents.