Confidentiality
As a registered and accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (B.A.C.P.) I am bound by strict codes of practice.
I work in accordance with the ethical code of practice relating to counselling/psychotherapy and supervision outlined in the B.A.C.P. Ethical Framework and Code of Practice.
You can find the section in the B.A.C.P. Ethical Framework on Respecting Privacy and Confidentiality.
The identity of all individuals with whom I work remains anonymous, and the content of what is shared in sessions is strictly confidential.
All work undertaken between us will remain confidential except if any safeguarding concerns are raised during the session which gives me cause for concern about your safety, or that of others. In such a rare case I would reserve the right to contact an external party (e.g., your GP, social worker, the police etc.) even if it requires me to breach confidentiality. This will, where possible, be discussed with you first.
I will therefore need to record your name, address, date of birth and your GP surgery for this purpose. I will discuss this with you in more detail when we meet, and you are welcome to ask any questions.
Flexible Hours
As well as offering daytime appointments, I also have evening and Saturday morning slots. I don’t give any recommendation for the number, frequency or regularity of sessions. but rather accommodate the needs of each individual or couple.
Some people feel it would be helpful to come every week, while others can only come every other week or every few weeks. Likewise, many of the people I see prefer to use my service as an emotional resource and come as and when they need some extra support. I am happy to allow autonomy for you in this regard and offer whatever makes it possible for you.
I also work very flexibly in terms of the day and time of the appointment because some people work shifts or have commitments that mean they can’t come on the same day or at the same time every week. I am happy to work around your availability.
Punctuality
All sessions start at the arranged time as the session needs to finish at the agreed time.
For face-to-face sessions, it is best to make allowances for possible transport or traffic problems.
There is free parking in the streets around my house. Please do not arrive early as it may interrupt the previous session.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel an appointment, please give 24 hours’ notice and, unless there are exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, I reserve the right to charge the full fee.
Record Keeping
Notes on the content of our discussions will be made during the session and kept for the purposes of the work while it is ongoing. All notes will be kept safely between sessions and will be kept for three years, after which they will be destroyed.
You have the right to request copies of your notes. I would require one month’s notice for this. If you have attended as a couple, you will both need to agree to the request.
Notes will not be supplied to any third party unless it’s with the client’s express and written permission or unless subpoenaed by a court of law.
Data Protection
Telephone voicemail messages used for the purposes of appointment setting will be deleted.
Texts and email correspondence will be kept for administrative purposes only.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Confidentiality and Clinical Supervision
Every counsellor is required to discuss their work with a clinical supervisor on a regular basis in order to ensure safe, ethical, useful and effective practice. I have regular clinical supervision; however, I will not reveal your identity to my supervisor. My supervisor is also bound by her own ethical code of practice as far as confidentiality is concerned.