Working Agreement
1. What I Offer
I provide structured therapeutic sessions by phone, video and in-person appointments, focused on clarity, understanding and forward movement.
I work directly, honestly and collaboratively.
I won't tell you who to be.
I help you see clearly enough to choose for yourself.
I don't guarantee outcomes.
I do guarantee my full presence, attention and effort every time we meet.
My work is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
2. How Sessions Work
Sessions are available in different durations, with the length and price shown clearly when you book.
The time booked is the agreed session time. Where appropriate and practical, a longer session may be agreed.
We aim for a natural settling point rather than a rushed ending.
You choose your rhythm: weekly, occasional, one-off or as needed.
There are no long-term contracts and no required number of sessions.
3. Fees & Payment
Session pricing and duration options are shown clearly at the point of booking.
Payment is made in advance via secure checkout.
Bank transfer can be arranged if needed.
Sessions are confirmed once payment is received.
There are no hidden costs or add-ons.
4. Cancellations & Rescheduling
Life happens; clarity prevents confusion.
48+ hours' notice → full refund or reschedule
Under 48 hours → session may still be charged or rescheduled
No-show without contact → full fee charged
If I need to cancel, you will not be charged and will be offered the next available time.
If something genuine comes up, speak to me; I'm fair and human about it.
5. Confidentiality
Everything discussed is confidential.
There are limited circumstances where I may need to share information without your consent, including:
- where I believe there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or someone else
- where safeguarding or child protection duties apply
- where disclosure is required or authorised by law
Talking about suicide, self-harm, distressing thoughts or difficult feelings does not automatically mean confidentiality will be broken. I want you to be able to speak openly about these things.
Where I am concerned about your safety, I will normally talk this through with you and, wherever possible, work with you to access appropriate support.
In exceptional circumstances, where I believe action is necessary to protect you or someone else from serious harm, I may contact emergency or appropriate services without your consent. Wherever practicable, I will discuss this with you first and will only share information that is necessary.
I do not record sessions unless agreed in writing.
I discuss my client work in professional supervision as part of safe and ethical practice. Identifying information is avoided wherever possible.
Couples work
If I see either partner individually, those sessions are held as confidential within the same limits described above.
I do not bring information from individual sessions into joint work.
If something from an individual session needs to become part of the couples work, I will normally support you to bring it into the joint session yourself.
6. Data, Records & Privacy
I collect and store only information that is reasonably necessary to provide my service. This may include your contact details, booking and payment information, correspondence and brief therapeutic records.
I do not routinely keep detailed accounts or transcripts of therapy sessions.
Where significant issues concerning risk, safeguarding, confidentiality or other important professional decisions arise, I may keep a more detailed record of what was discussed, considered, agreed and acted upon.
Information is stored securely and access is limited.
Your information will not normally be shared with other people without your consent except where necessary for the professional, legal, safeguarding or safety reasons explained in this agreement.
You have data protection rights regarding information I hold about you, including the right to request access to your personal data and, where applicable, correction or deletion.
Records are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary in accordance with my professional, legal, insurance and data protection obligations, after which they are securely deleted or destroyed.
Further information about how personal data is handled is available in my Privacy Policy.
7. Contact Between Sessions
Contact outside sessions is primarily for booking, rescheduling or brief practical matters.
I may share follow-up reflections or resources related to what we've discussed in session where appropriate.
If something comes up that you want to explore further, we normally do that in session rather than over text.
I am not an emergency or crisis service and cannot guarantee that messages will be seen or answered immediately.
If you need urgent or emergency support, please use the appropriate NHS, crisis or emergency service.
8. Boundaries & Responsibility
You agree to attend sessions in a sober, safe state and, for remote sessions, in a suitably private space.
This work is collaborative. I work with you, not on you.
I will look at your patterns, your responses and your role in what's happening to help things change.
This requires a willingness to look at yourself honestly.
You remain responsible for your choices and actions outside of sessions.
I do not take sides. I work toward what is real and what moves things forward.
9. Ending Therapy
You may end therapy at any time; there is no obligation to continue.
If there is no contact for four weeks, I may consider our current work closed. You are welcome to return in the future where appropriate.
I may recommend alternative or additional support if I believe your needs are outside my competence, require a different level of care, or the work is otherwise no longer safe or suitable.
Wherever reasonably possible, I will discuss this with you and support an appropriate ending or transition rather than ending our work without explanation.
10. If I Am Unable to Work
If illness, accident or another serious circumstance prevents me from contacting you myself, I have a designated person who can access the minimum information necessary to contact clients with upcoming appointments.
Their purpose is only to let you know that I am unable to attend and, where necessary, provide information about alternative arrangements.
They do not have routine access to your therapy notes or the content of our sessions and are required to respect your confidentiality.
Where possible, I will contact you myself when I am able to do so.
11. Concerns & Complaints
If you have a concern about our work, I encourage you to raise it with me directly wherever you feel able to do so. I will take your concern seriously and try to address it openly and fairly.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
My BACP membership/registration number is: 00754776 - 321716
If you believe a concern cannot be resolved with me, information about BACP's complaints process is available directly from BACP.
12. Agreement
Please read this agreement before beginning therapy.
At the beginning of our work, I will cover the main terms with you and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
By confirming that you understand these terms and choosing to proceed with therapy, you are agreeing to work with me on this basis.
If something feels unclear, ask.
If something doesn't sit right, say so.
This work is honest, human and collaborative.
We step into it with clarity and good faith.