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About the therapeutic relationship:
The therapeutic relationship creates a none-judgemental, safe, and confidential space in which you can explore specific issues, experience, yourself and feelings. You can discuss past experiences, current life challenges or anticipated future changes.
My role is to offer as much care, attention, and expertise as I can, to hold a space for you to truly hear yourself, your needs, and if needed, support you to find your own solutions. This promotes autonomy – one of the principles of counselling – and as a counsellor, I do not offer advice or tell you what you should or shouldn’t do.
Counselling is most effective when you are open and honest, and as such you should only engage if it’s something you’ve decide to do. Counselling shouldn’t be forced upon you.
My role is to bring focus and for that reason counselling can feel challenging, but you are always in charge of the agenda, and you’re never forced or expected to talk about things you don’t want to. Some people feel ready to talk about everything straight away. Whereas others may want to go slower, building the relationship first, before talking about more sensitive experiences or feelings; and that’s okay. We work at a pace which is right for you.
Counselling isn’t a quick remedy that instantly changes how we feel. With time and commitment it can help develop greater self-awareness and a clearer sense of self-understanding. This can be used to facilitate inner growth and change, should you wish.
The therapeutic relationship feels friendly and safe, but it is a professional relationship, different to a friendship, and you are not there to offer me support. Boundaries are important in counselling, helping ensure safety for the both of us, keeping the focus on you. I may share elements about myself, life, or experiences, but only if I feel it will support you and the therapeutic process.
Contract agreement:
1) Session arrangements:
- We will meet on a weekly basis or at a different frequency, as mutually agreed.
- Each session will last 50 minutes.
- Sessions will be held either:
- Online via Zoom, video or audio function.
- Over the telephone.
- In a face-to-face setting if a room has been rented and is safe to deliver.
2) Number of sessions
Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis, excluding pre-arranged holidays or factors such as illness. Generally, there is no limit on the number of sessions you can have, unless you wish to set a limit, or there’s a cap on the number of sessions you can access, due to third party funding. In such situations, I need written confirmation from the funder directly, outlining the number of sessions they intend to fund, before sessions can be arranged.
If you feel you need more sessions past the funded allocation and wish to continue working together privately, you can do so and I offer 10% discount to remote clients in these circumstances. I am unable to offer this discount to face to face clients currently.
If you feel you need more sessions past the funded allocation and wish to continue elsewhere, I can provide signposting information.
3) Confidentiality limits
Information you and I exchanged will be confidential, excluding limits outlined below:
- Legal requirements: When required to do so by law. There are several laws impacting confidentiality, meaning counsellor’s must share information if they become aware of the following.
- Drugs Trafficking
- Money Laundering
- Acts of terrorism
- Safeguarding responsibilities (more below.)
- Safeguarding and harm to self or others: I will break confidentiality if there is significant risk to yourself or others, or if you told me of a child or vulnerable person at risk or in danger. Where possible, I would make every reasonable effort to discuss this with you first, as so you can be involved in the process, where the law permits me to do so. You can find the safeguarding policy here.
- Court subpoena: Counsellors and their notes can be subpoenaed by court. I keep brief written records of sessions, held in line with GDPR. You can find my GDPR statement here.
- Supervision: I discuss client work with a supervisor, who abides by a code of ethics. I do this in a way where your identify is not disclosed unless there is legal or safeguarding reason necessary for me to do so. This is standard practice to ensure quality of work.
4) Out of session contact
Although the counselling relationship is friendly, it is a professional relationship. To protect our boundaries and work ethical, it’s considered inappropriate to engage, either formally or informally, outside of the relationship. This includes telephone called, texts, emails, social media platforms or in person. This protects the confidentiality of the therapeutic relationship.
The contact details you’re provided are only to be used for arranging, rearranging, cancelling appointment or payment queries only.
The contact details I have for you are only used for the same purpose, and to update you with the progression of any safeguarding concerns raised, if applicable. You will let me know how best to contact you.
I am unable to provide out of session support or unplanned counselling. However, sessions can sometimes be rearranged or brought forward if needed, depending on availability and frequency.
In an emergency
It’s important for those in need of urgent or crisis mental health support to get the right support, help and care, and I am not best placed to provide this in these instances. To ensure both of our safety, in such instances, appropriate support should be sought and engaged with.
If an emergency arises that is life-threatening or needs immediate attention, you agree to contact the emergency services on 999, go to your nearest A&E department or phone a crisis help line, such as the Samaritans on 116 123 (for UK residents). You can find further guidance and support for this via the link below or accessible in the menu bar.
5) Fee
Counselling session cost £50 for remote and £55 for face to face. This is payable via bank transfer at least 48 hours before the appointment takes place. Banking details will be provided to you during the lead up to your appointment or payments can also be made on this website via the ‘services’ page.
There’s a 50% none-refundable deposit required to book subsequent session, with the remaining balance due at latest 48 hours before your next appointment. If you have any difficulties with this arrangement, please speak with me about the support you need.
If payment is not received before the cut off point, I will assume you are not attending the session, any rooms booked will be cancelled and you will be invoiced for the full amount.
In some instances, I may be able to offer a discount, depending on availability and at discretion. Please feel free to make contact, to discuss this option if needed. Discount can only be applied to a limited number of sessions.
6) Cancellation and missed sessions
You’re required to provide at least 48 hours’ notice, to cancel a session. If notice is received after this point, or not at all, the full fee is chargeable. Where possible and at discretion, I will rearrange your session free of charge, within 2 days of the scheduled session date, depending on availability.
7) Timing
Timing is an important aspect in counselling as it can impact on sessions scheduled with others. Sessions will start at the time we agreed when booking and it does not alter with late arrival. Time missed through late arrival will be deducted from the scheduled session time, with full session fee still required. Lateness of 25 minutes or more will require the session to be rearranged with deposit retained. A further deposit is needed to arrange a new session. Where possible and at discretion, I will alter the timing of your session, free of charge, on the same day, depending on availability.
In the instance I am late to a session by more than 10 minutes, I will do my best to ensure you receive your full allocated time and normal session fees will apply. If I am unable to provide you with the full allocated time, I will discuss options with you, including rearranging the session at no extra charge, or extending your next session. If you opt to rearrange, your deposit will be transferred to this session.
If you opt to continue with a shorter session, a 20% discount will be offered.
For remote clients, an alternative method of communication will be agreed between us both in our first session together, in case of technological disruption or breakdown.
8) Commitment and holding periods
The therapeutic process requires commitment. Counselling can be challenging, and the therapeutic process can be hindered, impacted, and slowed down due to gaps / missed sessions. Sessions are normally provided on a weekly basis, unless mutually agreed otherwise. I provide additional flexibility, offering number of early mornings, late evenings, and weekend slots, to support those with home and family commitments, those who work shift patterns, and those whose confidentiality may be impacted by sharing a space with another, to support people’s ability to commit to the therapeutic process.
If you intend on being away for an extended period, a weekly holding fee may apply at a rate of £10 per calendar week. The keeps my availability open for you, ring fencing your usual appointment slot.
A holding fee is not applied to the first 2 sessions missed, to accommodate for holidays. A holding fee is implemented for up to 4 weeks and your session day and time may not be held open after this point. If you have any difficult with this arrangement, please speak with me about it as I may be able to alter arrangements, depending on availability and discretion.
You can decide to start or stop counselling whenever you choose, and a holding fee does not apply to these instances. If you decide to stop counselling, your normal allocated session day and time will become available for others to book.
If you wish to restart your counselling sessions at a later date, I cannot guarantee your previous appointment slot will be available and waiting lists may apply. I will always do my best to accommodate your preference.
Holding fees do not apply to sessions missed due to disability, long-term health conditions or sickness.
9) Holiday and sickness
I may take several weeks’ holiday per year, and you will be informed of these dates well in advance. There may be occasions where your session is unable to go ahead, due to illness, emergency or training and I endeavour to provide you with at least 48 hours’ notice, wherever possible. In the event of my illness, your deposit will be transferred to the next session.
10) Ending
You can terminate the therapeutic relationship whenever you wish but would suggest committing to at least six sessions, once the therapeutic relationship begins, before deciding not to continue. For longer-term work, people generally know when they feel ready to finish, and I suggest spending several sessions working towards an ending in a way which feels right for you. The therapeutic process and relationship are often significant; and preparing for an ending gives space to discuss important aspects of our work together and exit planning.
I advise against suddenly ending the therapeutic relationship as this can be impactful. Counselling can sometimes feel challenging, vulnerable and isn’t always easy. Talking about your decision to end the relationship regardless of the reason, offers the chance to resolve issues and reflect on experiences and impacts. Also, it allows for further support to be offered / signposted, to ensure safety. If, for any reason, you are unhappy with the service, please email:
I will not suddenly or without warning end the therapeutic relationship with you, except in exceptional circumstances, or unless it is deemed in either party’s best interest to do so.
11) For telephone and video session
Online counselling is not appropriate if you are experiencing a crisis, in domestically abusive situations, engaged with mental health services, have a long-term mental health condition, struggling with addiction, those struggling with suicidal or homicidal thoughts. As outlined above, if a life-threatening crisis should occur, you agree to call 999 or seeking support from your nearest A&E department. You can also seek support from a crisis helpline. Furthermore, counselling may not be best suited to those with serious health conditions, particularly conditions impacted by stress or using technology, to ensure your safety.
Online counselling is a different experience compared to sessions in person. This means we may miss each other’s visual and audio communication cues. This can slow down response or there could be times we mistake each other’s pauses for the end of speaking.
Online counselling is offered via Zoom which is a securely encrypted platform. Video and voice sessions are never recorded, and any messages placed on the instant chat provision are deleted at the end of the session. If opting to have remote sessions, you agree not to record them.
You should only use devices that you know to be safe to use and where confidentiality can be ensured. Please ensure you fully exit all counselling sessions and emails afterward and it is advisable to delete your browsing history after our communication.
It’s important the environment you choose to work in allows for your physical and emotional safety, as well as your privacy alone. This ensure our work remains confidential, letting you speak freely.
Working remotely means you don’t need to travel to and from appointments. Although there are benefits to this, it means you don’t have the usual space and time to prefer for session. With this in mind, it is advisable for you to prepare yourself for a few minutes before you start a remote session. Additionally, it’s a good idea to give yourself some time to readjust before you go back into your daily life.
There can be technological challenges with working remotely and it’s important we are clear in what we will do, should there be a technology breakdown. If either of us experiences technology difficulties, we should communicate via different means and try to reconnect within 10 minutes. If it is not possible to for us to reconnect within 10 minutes, we can re-schedule free of charge, should there be more than 25 minutes of the session left.
We will arrange a safe word to us, should the session be disrupted by another person. If the word is used by you, I will disconnect immediately and email you after a couple of minutes later, to see if it’s safe for you to reconnect.
Agreement
By booking in and receiving counselling from Feeling Out Loud, you agree to the terms listed in this Agreement. We will spend the initial part of your first session verbally contract and plan how we will work together. If there are any points of this agreement you wish to discuss in more detail, gain further clarity on or request an adjustment for, please be sure to raise this in your first session. I will always do my best to provide a service in line with your wants and needs.
Feeling Out Loud 