Therapy is an opportunity to explore new ways of seeing and experiencing oneself. To ensure this is a safe space for change to take place, the following forms a contract between us over the time that we work together.

 

I ask that you read each section carefully and if there’s anything you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to discuss this with me.

 

1. Private and Confidential.

 

I will keep information shared in these sessions confidential. To support our work, there will be times however when I will share information in the context of receiving supervisory support.

 

This is a professional requirement for all counsellors and psychotherapists.  Supervision is required to protect the client’s interests and to assist the therapist in their professional development.  I therefore sometimes share the content of sessions with a supervisor, although the supervisor is not privy to details such as your full name.

 

Confidentiality would only be breached in the event of there being a serious threat of harm to yourself or others, or in cases of serious crime. In this event, I would always discuss this with you first.

 

2. Boundaries.

 

Therapy sessions are usually once a week and sessions last 60 minutes.  We need to finish on time to avoid rushed endings and to enable me to make some notes.

 

3. Payment

Clients can pay for sessions:

• Monthly in advance by bank transfer or standing order by 1st of every month.

• By bank transfer the day before the session.

  

If for some reason you are unable to pay in advance of the session and need to do a bank transfer, I ask that this is done on the same day as the therapy.  If payment is delayed, please text me to let me know when you have paid online.

 

Fees will be reviewed every year. I will give you 4 weeks’ notice of any planned increase and this will be discussed with you.

 

4. Making the most of online sessions

 

Online sessions will take place through Zoom or a dedicated EMDR platform called RemotEMDR. I found this platform to be free, simple and easy to use and it offers end to end encryption so it’s the one recommended by UKCP in order to help keep the work confidential.

 

• In order to get the most of online sessions I would ask that you have the session from somewhere indoors and with good WIFI. It should also be somewhere safe, quiet and private. Somewhere where you can be alone, ideally with a door you can close and where you won’t be disturbed for an hour. If you live with other people it might work well to let them know not to interrupt you for the duration of the session or for us to schedule the session at a time where it would be easier for you to create a quieter environment.

 

• For best results it would work well to join the session from a laptop or tablet, ideally positioned at eye level, so a little raised or propped up on some books or other surface. If joining the sessions from a phone it would be best if this was propped up somewhere so that your hands are free.

 

• It is recommended to use headphones to increase the audio quality and make the session more confidential, even better if you have a pair of headphones with a microphone but any headphones or earbuds would do.

 

• Once the session is booked I would send you a calendar invite with the Zoom link you can click on. It should be possible to join the session just by clicking the link and opening it in your browser but you will be able to access more functionalities if you download the Zoom app or program. Once you receive the link you would be welcome to try clicking on it ahead of time so that you can test your camera and microphone are working. You should be taken to a virtual waiting room upon joining and I will come and collect you from there at our agreed time.

 

• Should we experience connection issues I would then call you on your mobile and we would be able to continue the session over the telephone instead, should we be unable to solve the internet issues otherwise.

 

5. Missed sessions

 

It is unhelpful to the process of psychotherapy to have too many interruptions. It is my intention to create a safe, reliable and consistent therapeutic space as this regularity and rhythm helps to make the therapy effective.

 

If you need to cancel for any reason, there is a 7 days cancellation policy. This is calculated as 7 x 24h so I ask that you let me know by the end of our session the previous week if you need to miss the following week’s session.  If you find that you cannot make your scheduled appointment with less than 7 days’ notice, it will then incur the full fee.

 

However if you wanted, we could arrange a Zoom session for an alternative time the same or the following week, providing you discussed this with me with some advance notice. To avoid disappointment, it is better to give as much notice as possible for cancellation as this would give us the best chance to find an alternative time.

 

Should we be unable to find an alternative time because of my or your availability or in cases of absences with no prior notice, the full fee for the missed appointment would be payable.

 

6. Absences and illness

 

Should you feel unwell or show any Covid-19 symptoms, I ask that you let me know at the earliest opportunity so that we can discuss options. I would do the same with you, should I be unwell or show any symptoms.

 

Should I be unable to work due to illness for a period, I have made provisions so that you would be informed of this as soon as possible.

 

I usually take some time off throughout the year, around spring, summer, winter or other times. There will be additional absences of mine due to professional training or annual leave.  I will advise of any known absences as soon as I can and limit these as much as possible.

 

7. Other matters

 

It is important that clients attend online sessions sober as I cannot work with you in an altered state.  Please do not attend if you are in an altered state through drink or drugs. If you do drink or take drugs I ask that you refrain from doing this before the session so that you can get the most out of it.  If you have to cancel because of this, the fee will be payable.

 

8. Ending therapy

 

4 weeks’ notice is requested by me at the end of your therapy. This enables a proper ending to an important piece of work. During this time we will review your therapeutic journey and address any other issues that might arise during the 4-week period.

 

9. Qualifications

 

I am a qualified integrative psychotherapist and I have completed a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy at CCPE. I have also completed an EMDR Part 1 - 4 training and I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. I am currently doing a three training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I am a registered member of UKCP and BACP and a member of the EMDR Association UK & Ireland.  I abide by both the BACP and UKCP code of conduct.

 

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