The contract is between client and Audrey Elliot, counsellor, please read prior to initial appointment.
My commitment to you
Confidentiality
Everything that you discuss with me is completely confidential and will not be discussed with anyone else unless you authorise this or I am concerned there is a risk to human safety. If this happens I will discuss it with you.
Privacy & security
I will keep all your personal information safely and securely stored as required by the General Data Processing Regulations (GDPR)
I will not record any of our sessions, either in person or online, unless there is a specific reason for doing so and it is mutually agreed by both of us.
I will ensure that all electronic devices used by me in our communications are appropriately password protected. I will ensure that anti-virus software is up to date.
Social Media Boundaries
I am not a big user of social media, however I will not accept any invitations to connect through social media sites as there is the danger that this can interfere with the therapeutic counselling relationship.
I will not make any attempts to look at your profile or information posted by you on social media.
Time keeping & cancellations
The day and time that we agree for your sessions will be your time and I will hold this space for you until you decide you wish to end counselling.
If I have to cancel a session I will give you as much notice as possible and seek to offer you an alternative time.
I will give you advance notice of holidays.
Counselling practice
I commit to offering you a safe and welcoming counselling space and to practicing the Person Centred Principles of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard in order to help you come to your own conclusions about your situation and solutions for change.
I may offer you information that I believe may be helpful to you.
I may offer you challenges to your way of thinking about issues you bring to counselling for you to explore and consider.
I am a registered member of the National Society for Counselling & Psychotherapy ((NSCP) and I abide by their code of ethics.
I have regular supervision from a suitably qualified counsellor in order to help me ensure I am practicing to the best of my ability. When I raise practice issues with them it is always in a way that preserves client identity.
I undertake regular training and continuing professional development activities in order to expand my knowledge and learning.
My requirements from you
Privacy & safety
You will take responsibility for ensuring your own devices and communication media are secure and password protected.
You will not record any sessions without prior negotiation with me.
If we are having sessions online or by phone you will need to take responsibility for ensuring the space that you use is private and there are no distractions during the course of our session.
During counselling sessions I would ask that your mobile phone is switched off and put out of sight.
If we are doing walk and talk counselling you will need to ensure that you are appropriately dressed for the conditions and wear appropriate footwear. I would also ask you inform me if there are any health reasons (either temporary or ongoing) that might make this option less suitable for you.
We will not be able to have our counselling session if you are under the influence of any substances at the time of the session.
Netiquette during online sessions
This may seem an obvious one. but I would ask that you not eat during a session, although you may wish to have a drink of water, tea or coffee nearby. I would also ask that you are appropriately dressed.
Time keeping & Cancellations
Sessions will generally be weekly at the same time and day of week, although some clients opt to come fortnightly and I will accommodate this if my diary allows.
Sessions will last for one hour. If you are late for a session we will still have to finish at the usual ending time as I may have another client attending after you.
I would ask you to honour my commitment to hold your space for you by committing to the process of counselling and to avoid cancelling sessions if at all possible, although I understand there may be circumstances where cancellation is unavoidable.
If you have to cancel a session I would ask for a minimum of 48 hours notice. Sessions cancelled at less than 24 hours notice will have to be charged at the full rate.
Payment
Charges for sessions are £50 per hour for all types of counselling.
I accept BACS transfer and cash payments. If paying by BACS I would ask that the payment is made prior to the session. Cash payments can be made at the end of the session.
Counselling sessions
We will discuss at the start the issues that have brought you to counselling and I will review with you at intervals how you feel you are progressing in addressing these. You may wish to alter your goals or priorities along the way. I would ask that you be open and honest with me in these discussions.
I would request that you be open to exploring challenges to your way thinking that I may offer you along the way.
Counselling is a collaborative process and this will involve you engaging in that process and putting in the ‘work’ in order to achieve change. This may not always be comfortable but I will be alongside you and supporting you throughout the journey.
If you have any issues with the process of our work together I ask that you be open and honest in discussing this with me so that we may seek to address your concerns. If we conclude that I may not be the right therapist for you I will do my best to suggest an alternative.
Endings are important in counselling and I would ask that when we agree that the time is right to finish our work together that you commit to attending your last session.
Complaints Procedure
My aim is to provide you with the highest quality of counselling service which includes a safe and competent practice. If issues arise that we are unable to resolve between us then you have recourse to make a complaint to my professional body, the NSCP.