Confidentiality:
Everything that you share with me will be treated as highly confidential. However, there are a few circumstances where I may be required to break confidentiality:
If I believe you are at risk of seriously harming yourself/someone else or someone is going to harm you.
If your counselling records are subpoenaed by a court of law.
If another party or agency has requested information and you have given written consent for this.
Counselling Sessions:
Following your initial counselling session any further appointments will be arranged by mutual agreement.
We will review your progress and the counselling process at appropriate intervals and discuss together whether additional sessions would be helpful and appropriate.
Cancellation Policy:
Please provide at least 48 hours notice for cancellation or to reschedule your appointment.
Cancellations or changes made less than 48 hours before a scheduled appointment, as well as non-attendance will be charged at full session fee.
By booking an appointment, you acknowledge and agree to the cancellation policy.
Record Keeping:
Notes are taken during and after each session to help me to keep track of our progress together.
These are stored in a private and secure location and may be viewed by you if you wish.
Counselling records are kept for a period of 7 years from the date of the last contact.
If you feel at any stage that counselling is no longer appropriate for you, I am happy to discuss this with you and may be able to suggest a referral to a more appropriate service.
Email/Telephone contact:
Emailing and telephone contact is limited to practical arrangements only unless telephone counselling has been arranged.
This counselling service doesn't provide emergency support.
If you are faced with an emergency between sessions, please call 000 without delay.
Lifeline provide Crisis and Suicide support 24/7 their number is 13 11 14
Counselling normally ends by mutual prior agreement. However, you have the right to end your counselling at any time. I would appreciate at least 48 hours notice. If you feel at any stage that counselling is no longer appropriate for you, I am happy to discuss this with you and may be able to suggest a referral to a more appropriate service.
