Therapy Contract & Agreement
This is a mutual agreement negotiated between the Counsellor and the Client prior
to the commencement of counselling with Me and My Therapy. Please read through the details below and sign the agreement at the bottom of this page.
1. Purpose of Therapy
The purpose of therapy is to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space for the Client to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. The Therapist's role is to facilitate this process by listening attentively, providing feedback, and offering insights and guidance.
2. Confidentiality
The Client understands that all information disclosed during therapy sessions will be kept confidential, except in the following circumstances: (a) if the Client poses a threat to themselves or others, (b) if the Client reports abuse or neglect of another, (c) if the Client's records are subpoenaed by a court of law.
3. Your sessions
Payment will be made upon booking of the appointment through the Me and My Therapy website. If you haven't yet booked your appointment, you can do so here: https://meandmytherapy.co.uk/pages/services
Therapy is a process and lots of clients find it helpful to attend at the same time. There is no minimum or maximum number of sessions. I will review how we feel sessions are going every 6 sessions. You can choose to stop at any time however please try and let me know in advance so that we can ensure you have the right support when leaving counselling and have the opportunity for a proper ending.
Therapy is for individuals only; no other person will be permitted in the therapy room (be it in person or virtual/telephone) at any time or for any reason. The only exceptions to this are children, family and group sessions.
The client may terminate therapy at any time, and the Therapist may terminat therapy if they believe it is no longer beneficial for the client.
The client understands that therapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment. The Therapist does not provide a diagnosis, prescribe medication, or offer medical advice. If the Client requires medical or psychiatric treatment, they should seek the services of a licensed medical professional.
4. Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policy can be found here: https://meandmytherapy.co.uk/pages/safeguarding-policy
If you have booked a counselling session for a child, it is your choice if you would like a chosen adult alongside them in their session. If you do not wish to have a chosen adult in the session, the therapist wouldn’t share information about the session with the adult, to ensure the child’s confidentiality.
The therapist, if in communication with the adult, will give an overview of the themes explored in the session but wouldn’t detail the content of the conversation.
Please also note that the therapist would also need to communicate with the adult to arrange the next session date and time, should the child not be of an age to arrange this themselves.
5. Scheduling and Cancellation
The client agrees to login on time for each scheduled session. If the client is unable to attend a session, they must notify the therapist at least 24 hours in advance, otherwise, the Client will be charged the full fee for the session.
6. Telephone Counselling
I will ring you at the agreed time and if you are unable to answer this call, I will try again up to 3 times in the 15 minutes after the session was due to start. Please make sure you are in a quiet area where you won’t be disturbed.
7. Online Counselling
I will invite you to an online session using Zoom. I would recommend downloading the
app and practicing in advance so you are comfortable. Please make sure you are in a quiet area where you won’t be disturbed. In the event of the signal being weak or fluctuating so that some of the words are lost, I will telephone you on an agreed number.
8. Ethical Framework
I am a fully qualified and insured counsellor and psychotherapist, a registered member of
the National Counselling Society and and I am bound by their ethical framework. I also have 1.5 hours per month of clinical supervision, as per the ethical framework requirements.
9. Contact outside of sessions
Should we meet outside of your session please be aware I will not greet you. This is to protect your privacy and maintain confidentiality. This is especially important if you are with other people. If you acknowledge me openly, then I will respond in an appropriate, professional manner.
Please also note that I am not permitted to be your friend on social media due to ethical reasons.
Our therapeutic work (individual, family and group work) are to be contained within the therapeutic setting only.
We do not attend clients homes, nor do we attend external events away from the therapeutic space whereby the sessions are routinely held. This includes events such as funerals, life celebrations, parties or external work events held by the client.
This is to ensure the professional boundaries within our work are maintained and our roles are clear and understood from the outset.
10. Your data
During your therapy I keep brief confidential notes of each session to record the content. These records are kept securely and password protected.
The records are subject to the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, which gives clients the right to access personal data held about them. To safely and appropriately provide you with therapy I need to collect personal data from you and need your written consent to collect this data.
When you first attend I will collect name, date of birth, address, email address, mobile number & GP details.
I store your information and client notes in secure online storage for a minimum of 7 years, in line with guidance from my insurers, after which point they are deleted.
Should you wish to access your data or have it destroyed before 7 years have elapsed you may
submit your request in writing. Each application will be considered on an individual basis and any decision to provide access to or destroy your personal data will be reached only after consultation with insurers and professional bodies.
Should there may any legal action taken for any purpose, please note that this would be under UK law.