Introduction
This is a written agreement between you and me (Maddy Norsworthy Counselling) to define what our way of working together will be over the period of time in which we are working together. The aim is to help you understand what is involved with the therapeutic process and the therapeutic relationship, so that you are well informed and know what to expect from the very beginning. We can also use the contract as a guide, if needed, as the work progresses.
This contract is voluntary, and you can end this agreement at any time. I retain the right to terminate this contract at my discretion.
Costs & payment
My fee is £60 per 50-minute session. Fees may be subject to change, though I would provide 2 months’ notice.
Payments are made to Maddy Norsworthy Counselling, and are due before your next session.
This contract is voluntary, and you can end this agreement at any time. I retain the right to terminate this contract at my discretion.
Payment options are:
- Contactless on the day (receipt of payment can be emailed to you upon request)
- In person sessions – weekly invoice emailed to you; payment via BACS (automatic receipt of payment provided)
- Online sessions – weekly invoice emailed to you; payment via BACS (automatic receipt of payment provided)
The counselling process
I offer open-ended or shorter term counselling – we can work together for as long as it feels helpful. To start, we’ll organise a 20 minute free telephone conversation to get to know each other. Then, if you choose to proceed, we’ll book a 50 minute initial consultation charged at £60. Sessions after this will be charged at £60/session. We can continue working together to the agreed number of sessions or in an open-ended way and decide on an ending when the time feels right.
On-going sessions last 50 minutes and are ideally held weekly, on the same day at the same time.
If at any point you feel the need to end your counselling sessions earlier than planned, we’ll work together to ensure the ending feels thoughtful and supportive.
Our commitment to sessions
To give the counselling process the best chance of being helpful, it is recommended that you attend regularly. Counselling is normally found to be therapeutic, however there can be no guaranteed therapeutic outcomes.
My cancellation policy is as follows:
- If you give me more than 24 hours notice I’ll need to charge you £30 as this covers the room rental fee and other operating costs, which I can’t recover. This is payable at the next session.
- If you fail to notify me 24 hours prior to your appointment that you are not attending – even in the event of illness – you will be charged the full session fee of £60. This is payable at the next session.
- If you fail to attend two consecutive sessions without notice no further appointments will be offered. I will send you the details to make your payments.
I commit to give you as much notice as possible regarding any absence on my part. If I am unable to attend a session, you will not be charged for that session.
Our commitment between sessions
This contract limits our contact between sessions solely for the purpose of administrative planning between us. We can agree your preferred mode of communication for this – phone call, text or email. I am only contactable within office hours Monday to Friday.
This contract does not provide the client with a ‘crisis service’. If you urgently need help or support outside of our arranged session times, please contact a crisis service provider such as Samaritans on 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org. In an emergency dial 999.
Confidentiality
As your counsellor I recognise the need to respect confidentiality. As a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I work within their Ethical Framework, and as such, seek to offer the highest level of confidentiality, consistent with the law and BACP codes. My BACP membership number is 402463.
Normally, the content of each session will be held in confidence between you and me, and from time to time, my Clinical Supervisor. An important part of the BACP Ethical Framework is that counsellors are supported by a Clinical Supervisor, with whom they discuss their work. This is to ensure that the counsellor is working ethically and that the counselling is serving the client in the best way possible. I receive monthly supervision. From time to time, I may discuss aspects of our work with my Clinical Supervisor but would keep your identity anonymised within this. The counsellor-supervisor relationship is confidential.
Exceptionally, I will involve outside agencies when harm to a client, or others, is considered a serious risk. In such circumstances, if possible, I will first discuss the situation with you and then agree a course of action.
There are circumstances, however, when the law requires me to break confidentiality without informing you or gaining your consent. These relate to the Terrorism Act (2000), the Children Act (1989/2004), the Drug Trafficking Offences Act (1986- amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1993), the Road Traffic Act (1988), and court orders. If you have any questions or concerns about these limitations to confidentiality, you can discuss them with me at any time.
Data Protection
I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office as a Data Controller and operate within the General Data Protection Regulations. You have rights under Data Protection law. For further information about your rights, please contact www.ico.org.uk.
Note taking
Brief factual notes will be made regarding each session. Notes will be stored securely until 7 years after the date of our last session. It is your right as a client to request to see your notes.
Medication
Please let me know if you are taking any medication. Some medication may affect the counselling process. If you are receiving any other form of therapy, please let me know. It is not advisable to receive more than one type of counselling or psychotherapy at the same time.
Counselling sessions will not take place if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.