Counselling Agreement

Sessions are usually arranged weekly or fortnightly and last up to 50 minutes. We can discuss a different pattern when your needs call for it. Please let me know if you will be late; a late arrival does not extend the end of the appointment, and the full session fee still applies. If two sessions are missed without prior arrangement or acknowledgement, I may end our work together.

My March 2026 agreement states £50 per session, paid by bank transfer before booking. A reduced fee may be discussed for some circumstances, including students or people receiving benefits. Please ask me to confirm the current fee before booking.

[SALLY TO RESOLVE: a later severe-weather clause in the same agreement says £45 for a phone or video session. Confirm the correct rate and whether the sliding scale is currently available. Bank account details belong in the private agreement or direct payment instructions, not this public page.]

Please give at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel. The agreement says the full fee is payable when less notice is given. If I need to cancel because of illness or another commitment, I will give as much notice as possible and offer an alternative time. After a longer break, your previous appointment time may no longer be available.

If severe weather prevents us meeting in person, we may agree to speak by phone or video, arrange another appointment, or cancel if neither alternative is suitable. For remote sessions, we each need a private space. We can agree a backup way to communicate if technology fails. The full contract includes further practical details about telephone, video and other electronic contact.

[SALLY TO CONFIRM: the fee and whether regular online counselling, WhatsApp or email counselling are currently offered, rather than only possible arrangements mentioned in the contract.]

Counselling is confidential within the limits we discuss together. I attend professional supervision and protect your identity when discussing my work. Information may need to be shared with your consent, where there is a serious risk of harm or a safeguarding concern, or when the law requires it. I aim to discuss a proposed disclosure with you first where appropriate. See the Privacy Notice for information about records and your data rights.

We can use phone, post, email or text for practical communication. An appointment reminder may be sent 24–48 hours beforehand. I may not respond to concerns sent outside a scheduled session until our next meeting or my working hours. I do not provide an emergency contact service. If you need urgent mental health help, seek support from your GP or the relevant urgent service; call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.

To protect your privacy, I will not initiate contact if we happen to meet in public. I do not connect with current or former clients through social media.

Sessions cannot take place if a client is under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, and violent behaviour is not accepted. You can choose to end counselling at any time; where possible, a final session can help us bring the work to a close. If another service may better meet your needs, I may suggest an appropriate route and you remain free to choose.

If you have a concern about our work, please raise it with me if you feel able. You can also read BACP’s information on complaints about members.

This page summarises Sally’s March 2026 contract for website visitors. The current client agreement and privacy documents should be discussed before counselling begins and provided directly for review and acceptance. [SALLY TO CONFIRM: the final wording and whether signed paper or email acceptance is used.]