Is what I tell you confidential?

As a professional counsellor and registered member of the BACP (MBACP), I offer a high, ethical standard of confidentiality. Confidentiality is an important part of the counselling relationship and how we will work together. I will not share or disclose information to your doctor or anyone else without your explicit permission and informed consent. The exceptions when I might break confidentiality is if there is a serious risk or harm to you or others, and in very rare cases where required by law but, I will explore this with you during our initial session together.

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How many sessions can I have?

We can explore this together during our initial session, as this can vary depending on what you would like to explore. I do not have a maximum limit to the number of sessions, you may continue for as long as you feel sessions are of use to you. We will review your progress together at regular intervals, usually after every 6 sessions to see how you feel the sessions are working for you.

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Will I need to sign a contract or other documents?

In our initial session, we will discuss what you would like to gain from counselling and I will discuss my way of working, confidentiality, payment, holidays and cancellation policies with you. I have a client agreement and privacy statement we can work through and sign together in the first session or this will be sent to you in advance of the first session.

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What should I do if I want to end sessions?

You can choose to end at any time, I can offer an ending session where we can reflect and review the work completed together. It can support the therapeutic relationship and process if you can give notice and we can then work towards an ending.

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What is supervision?

I have supervision regularly with a senior, experienced counsellor to review and discuss my work with clients and my professional development. I do not use clients’ full names, only first name and a coded number. Counselling supervision is important to protect the clients I support and to improve the ability of counsellors to work in the client’s best interests.

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Do you write notes about me?

I am obliged to make some notes after sessions. These notes are brief, coded and kept in a secure place.

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Do you undertake Continued Professional Development?

I regularly attend further learning in the form of workshops, lectures and seminars to continue and develop my practice. This is an ethical requirement of the BACP, but also something I highly value and enjoy as ongoing learning.