I never forget that everybody is uniquely individual. Accordingly, prior to working together I offer an obligation free (telephone or video platform based) initial consultation.

During this session, we can discuss what you hope to gain from counselling, your preferred way of working (in person, via video platform, telephone or text) and a mutually convenient time for you to engage in counselling with me, if you feel that I represent a “good fit” for your requirements. This being the case, I will ask you to provide me with some details, which I will need to enable our working together.

I will provide you with a copy of the counselling contract, prior to commencing work together. If you decide to enter into a therapeutic relationship with me, I would ask that you read, agree to and sign the counselling contract (either by written or electronic means).

Engagement is offered on either a face-to-face basis, or via online video platform, telephone or text.

I will work extremely hard with you, to support you in exploring those concerns which you would like to discuss. I won’t direct you, but I will collaborate with you to facilitate better understanding of your feelings and choices, which may relate to your current circumstances.

Regular weekly sessions will last for fifty minutes, during which you can bring whatever you would like to explore. Some sessions may be particularly challenging and possibly even emotionally painful; but I promise you that you will always receive utmost respect, empathy and honesty.

Approximately every six sessions, we will mutually undertake a review of the work completed, to identify together any subjects potentially requiring further discussion and to ascertain progression and celebrate your successes.

Counselling will be completed on an ongoing basis, until either we agree mutually to conclude our therapeutic relationship or you decide to end it (with notice of one session).

I would be happy to discuss your requirements and to offer flexibility whenever possible.

Evening and weekend counselling is available.

Various ongoing studies have consistently suggested that engaging in counselling remotely can be every bit as effective as working together in person. That said, individual preference is most important, in considering what might work best for you. If you agreed to engage in counselling remotely, your ability to access a suitable environment, which affords comfort and privacy is imperative.

Other than in situations triggering the Safeguarding Policy (see “Policies”), the only circumstance in which I will share any content from our sessions is in the context of professional supervision, which I am obliged to receive regularly. Any discussions with my supervisor will relate to the content of sessions only, but absolutely ensure client anonymity. This is in keeping with the BACP Ethical Framework (see here).

The optimum number of sessions required to achieve realistic therapeutic aims will depend upon each individual. At the outset, the aim of counselling is to conclude the therapeutic relationship in a positive manner, having safely explored all concerns, reducing their impact to at least manageable levels.

By regularly reviewing together your therapeutic progression, we can agree the most appropriate and timely ending of counselling. This doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t be able to return, to undertake further work at a later date; but the hope is that the engagement completed will offer lasting benefit in respect of the initial aims of counselling.

Sessions are subject to the following fees:

Initial consultation session                                    No charge

Counselling session (fifty minutes)                  £50.00

I would ask that you kindly make payment by bank transfer, prior to each session. Sessions may only be booked on the basis of no outstanding payments; but please let me know in advance if you anticipate any problems in maintaining payments for sessions. If you decide to work together, I will forward to you a copy of the counselling contract, which includes further information around payment.

With the best of intentions, sometimes lateness or cancellations become unavoidable.

If you are late for a session, the remainder of the booked session will remain available to you, but unfortunately, cannot be extended owing to subsequent client bookings.

If you are unable to attend a session, please let me know as soon as possible, either by email or text. In circumstances where less than forty–eight hours’ notice of cancellation is given; sessions will be charged at full rate.

For avoidance of doubt, in the event that I unavoidably have to cancel a session, no charges will apply to that session and I will offer at least forty–eight hours’ notice of cancellation.

In the event of a crisis arising between sessions, please refer to the NHS website for suggested signposting.

In the first instance, I would ask that you raise any complaint within session and I will do my very best to resolve the issue expediently. Where you feel that this is not possible, then it would be appropriate for you to contact the BACP.