Are you qualified?
As counselling is not regulated, anyone can claim to be a counsellor. That said, I have a CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, both of which took me a year to complete. I then undertook the SEG Awards Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, which took a further two years of study and 100 hours of client work before qualification. I passed the BACP Certificate of Proficiency (CoP), a standardised assessment of the skills, knowledge and abilities required to be a professional counsellor, and a requirement to be a member of the BACP. My most recent qualification is a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Counselling, awarded by Leeds Beckett University, with Upper Second Class Honours.
Where have you worked?
I gained practical experience at the Charlie’s Angel Foundation, where I worked with bereaved parents, and at the UK Counselling Network CIC, providing support to clients with various issues. In both cases, these were a combination of face-to-face and online sessions, with some telephone work. Since qualification, I have worked with the NHS, providing counselling support to young adults who were on the waiting list for further therapeutic intervention, as well as seeing private clients, and working on the BetterHelp online platform.
Why do you work online?
I have a few reasons why my work is mostly online. Firstly, I work online to keep my costs down, as room rental does increase the cost, as does travelling to and from the office. Secondly, online work can be much more accessible for clients. Rooms aren’t always accessible for those with impairments, but also some people don’t want to be seen visiting a counsellor. Remote work provides flexibility, privacy and requires a stable internet connection and the tools to connect. That’s not to say I don’t do face to face work, but it is mostly online.
What are your fees?
My fees are £35 per session or £25 unwaged.
I also charge £20 per session for trainee counsellors. The only thing I ask is that therapy is paid for in advance, in batches. If you have to have 10 sessions, we could split it to two batches of five or similar.
Fees are reviewed yearly, and any changes take effect on 1st Jan.
Why do you charge so little for trainee counsellor?
I know that training to be a counsellor can be expensive. Not every course requires students to undertake their own personal therapy, but lots do. I think students should be able to have therapy at an affordable rate, however trainee counsellors need to make sure that their course will accept remote/online counselling.
Why do we need a contract?
A counselling contract is an agreement you make with your therapist to create a safe, professional, and clearly defined experience between us. A written counselling contract acts as a way to make indisputably clear how therapy will be carried out, and what boundaries are in place between you and your therapist, however there isn’t a law in the UK that you have to sign a contract to do talking therapy, but it is part of the BACP Ethical Framework. You can see my sample contract here: Contract 2023.
What is your confidentiality policy?
It is my intention that the contents of our therapy are kept confidential in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. I believe it to be an important part of the therapy process that you feel able to discuss anything you need without fear of recrimination. However, this needs to be balanced with my ethical requirement to safeguard children or vulnerable adults. There may be times when the information you disclose is of such gravity that confidentiality cannot be maintained. In such a situation I would always try to discuss this with you before taking any further action. Examples would be:
• where I believe that you pose a serious risk to yourself or to others.
• where a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk.
Please be aware I have a legal responsibility to inform the police if I believe you are involved in drug trafficking, money laundering or acts of terrorism.
I will not confer with your Doctor without your knowledge and permission, however if you are being treated by your Doctor for emotional difficulties, it is important that you inform him or her about your Counsellor, and vice versa.
I receive regular supervision in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework to provide the best possible service to you, however, I will not disclose your name or anything that would enable you to be identified. My Supervisor abides by the same standards for confidentiality and data protection.
Do you keep notes?
Under the Ethical Framework, and as part of my insurance as a therapist, I am obliged to keep client notes.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to say what happens to the data that we keep. You have:
• The right to be informed – which is the purpose of this privacy information notice
• The right of access – you have the right to see the information that we hold
• The right to rectification – you have the right to request that we amend any personal data which is factually incorrect, misleading or incomplete
• The right of erasure – under certain circumstances, you have the right to request that we do not process your data for a limited period of time
• The right to data portability – under certain circumstances, you have the right to request that we transfer data that we hold on you to another individual or organisation of your choice
• The right to object – because the lawful basis that we use to process your data is Contract, you do not have the right to object to us processing your information.
If you would like to exercise any of your rights at any time, you can make the request in writing and I will respond to your request within 30 days.
The notes I keep are protected and between myself and the client. If a solicitor requests notes, I am not obliged to provide them and would only do so with your express permission. If I am compelled by a court order, I have to provide data but again would inform you of what is happening.
Can I contact you between sessions?
You may contact me to rearrange appointments, however I am not a crisis intervention service. Should you need support between sessions, please contact your GP or have a look at the Other Support section of the website.
Should you happen to meet me outside of your session please be aware that 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. Should you find yourself in a situation where you and I are part of the same group, either social or professional, serious consideration will be given to the complications of this dual role relationship. Where appropriate, and possible, I will withdraw.
Please do not invite me to join you on any social media. I am not permitted to do so under the BACP Ethical Framework, and refusal can cause offense where none is intended.
Do you have a privacy policy?
Yes, and you can find it here.