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Counselling Agreement

As you begin your counselling sessions, there are some key points I'd like you to be aware of. It's important to me that you have all the necessary information about your counselling experience.

A. Counselling and Confidentiality

What you talk about during counselling will generally remain confidential. However, there are certain circumstances where I may need to share information with others. These include:

1. Supervision:

As a counsellor, I have regular supervision where I discuss some of the people, I am counselling. The purpose of supervision is to help me provide the best possible service.

2. Safety Concerns

If I have serious concerns about your safety or the safety of someone you have mentioned, I may need to talk to my supervisor and possibly other relevant individuals to ensure everyone's safety.

3. Legal Obligations

I am required by law to report any acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

B. Appointments

I look forward to working with you and want to ensure you have a clear understanding of how our appointments will be structured. Here are some important details:

1. Duration and Schedule

  • Each session lasts for 50 minutes.

  • Sessions are typically scheduled on the same day and time each week.

2. Initial and Ongoing Sessions:

  • A brief review will take place every 6th session to assess progress and ensure the sessions are meeting your needs.

  • Sessions are scheduled in 2 weeks in advance following the previous session.

3. Arrival and Conduct:

  • Please arrive on time for your sessions, as they will not be extended beyond the 50-minute duration.

  • Do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

  • Aggression, whether verbal or physical, may result in the withdrawal of services.

  • Sessions cannot be conducted in public or whilst driving.

4. Payment Methods:

Payments can be made via bank transfer or cash.

5. Payment Timing:

Payment is due at the end of each session. For discounted packages, payment is required in advance.

6. Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please provide at least 24 hours' notice to avoid a cancellation fee of £30.

7. Refund Policy:

Refunds for pre-paid sessions are available if you discontinue counselling before using all the sessions. The refund amount will be based on the number of unused sessions.

C. Cancelling a Session

I understand that sometimes you might not be able to attend a session due to various reasons such as exams, transport difficulties, holidays, illness, or other appointments. I will do my best to accommodate and support you in these instances. Occasionally, I may also need to cancel a session if I am ill. I book my holidays months in advance and you’ll be informed well before if I can’t offer a session on our usual scheduled days.

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Please inform me as soon as possible if you can't attend a session. You can email me directly at CallumDixonCounselling@gmail.com or call/text 07704 782 125 If you’re unable to reach me by phone, please leave a message, text, or send an email.

1. Planned Cancellations:

You are allowed up to 3 planned cancellations, where you inform me in advance. After 3 cancellations, we may need to have the conversation on if counselling is working for you right now.

2. Missed Sessions:

If you forget your session or don’t arrive, I will try to contact you via call/text/email to find out what happened and to reschedule the next session. You may be required to pay a fee of £30 for the missed session.

3. No Response:

If I don't hear back from you after the two missed session in a row, that time slot will no longer be held for you. I will send try to get in contact with you with a one week deadline for a response. If there is no response, the sessions will come to an end.

D. Complaints and Concerns

If you have any questions, comments, complaints, or concerns about the service I offer, please feel free to talk to me directly. I welcome open communication and will do my best to resolve any issues you may have.

If you feel the need to make a formal complaint, you can find guidance and support by visiting the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website at BACP Complaints and Concerns.

E. Information Storage & Sharing

To comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I need your permission before I can store your data. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and adhere to their requirements and procedures.There are several reasons why it is necessary to store information about our sessions:

1. Track Progress:

To monitor and document your progress throughout the counselling process.

2. Service Information:

To provide you with information about the services you have accessed, if requested, and for legal and insurance purposes.

3. Safety:

To ensure the safety of those who use the service, myself, and members of the public.

4. Professional Obligations:

To comply with professional standards and ethical guidelines required by regulatory bodies.

5. Supervision and Quality Assurance:

To discuss cases anonymously in supervision to ensure high-quality service delivery and professional development.

Your data will be stored securely and only accessible by me. If you have any concerns about how your data is handled, please feel free to discuss them with me.

What Information Do I Store?

All information stored is protected in a secure database, and personal information is anonymized. Any paperwork is kept in locked filing cabinets. I make brief confidential notes from our counselling sessions and keep copies of any letters sent to you or received concerning you. In the unlikely event of a data breach, I will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible.

How long do I store information?

I will store your information confidentially for up to 2 years, after which it will be securely destroyed. If you are under 18 years of age when you access my service, I will store your information for 2 years after your 18th birthday.

When and how would I share your information?

I will not share your information with any organisations or individuals unless I have your permission, if I have to by law, or if I think there is a safeguarding concern where there is risk of harm if I don’t share it.

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