We are meeting online via video call for integrative therapy. We will agree your desired outcomes and possible duration of therapy during your first session and review progress regularly (every 4-6 weeks depending on expected duration).

Sessions last 50-60 minutes.

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Our relationship

A therapeutic relationship is a collaborative one, where we will work together to reach your therapy goals. I will explain any methods/techniques I feel may benefit you and be guided by your preferences. I will inform you if I feel you would benefit from a therapist with different experience/expertise than me and I endeavour to help you in as short a time as is appropriate, while allowing you to progress at your own pace, without being rushed.

I am unable to have any social relationship with clients during or after therapy, this includes on social media. To protect your confidentiality I will not acknowledge you if I see you in public.

We will not usually have contact between sessions, except to schedule appointments. I am contactable by phone or email during office hours, Monday to Friday.

I do not offer an emergency 24hour service. Please seek urgent support from emergency services or go to hospital (Emergency Department) if you are in crisis and need support to stay safe. The Samaritans also offer confidential telephone support if you need it 24/7 on 116 123. We will create a safety plan if required.

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Code of ethics 

I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and work within the Ethical Framework in accordance with rules set out by BACP.  My intention is to support my clients through whatever difficult feelings they are experiencing always trying to understand and support them in the way they need. All clients are unique, and I aim to build a relationship of trust, understanding, honesty and respect and through this, to support my clients.  

Confidentiality and exceptions 

Respecting your confidentiality is of the utmost importance.  However, if it is assessed that you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or others, it may be necessary to alert others, such as your employer wellbeing service, or your GP of my concerns. 

Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, in compliance with the law, to notify other agencies, particularly when the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a concern. I will always endeavour to discuss disclosure to others with you beforehand and jointly agree a way forward of my concerns. At times due to laws and legislation, this may not always be possible. 

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Terms: 

• Your information is your property and is kept confidential. I will ask you to sign a copy of this contract and confirm that our Privacy Policy has been discussed. 

• As a counsellor I am required to consult a supervisor who supports me in my therapeutic work. If your case is discussed, you will be anonymised.

• I will only discuss cases for professional reasons on a need to know basis, for example with my supervisor, or your employer or GP where risk is involved or if you ask me to speak to them.

• If I need to sign post a client to another agency, the client is always informed and consent to share obtained. 

• I am required to keep case notes about clients. All my clients are given an I.D number and names are not used.  My notes are kept in a locked filing cabinet and are treated with the strictest confidence. Clients can ask to see their notes and to comply, I will respond within one month of the receipt of the request. Although notes are not offered, they can be sought by the court if a client is involved in legal action. 

• If any information we hold is incorrect, we will amend this upon written notification. You also have the right to have this information removed.

• We will only use your information for the lawful purpose that it has been given or has been deemed necessary for the therapeutic process. 

• Finally, you have the right to object to any personal data being collected. This will need to be made known to us in advance of the start of any therapeutic work. Please note that if this is the case, all therapeutic work may be terminated if it restricts me keeping appropriate records in line with my indemnity insurance and ethical bodies, alongside legal and safeguarding policies.  

• We commit to not using your personal data for profiling. 

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Influence of Alcohol or Substances 

Sessions will not take place if the client appears to be under the influence of alcohol or substances. 

How to Connect

I will send you a recurring Zoom link, so please save it. Please have your phone with you in case we get disconnected. I will call you after 5 minutes if you are unable to reconnect to the Zoom call.

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Attendance

Regular attendance at sessions is very important to gain the full benefit from the counselling process. It is important that any absence to planned sessions is managed effectively.Please give 24hrs notice if you are unable to attend a session as within 24hrs the session will count as used.

If you do not attend your appointment without notifying me, then counselling may be withdrawn. This is at the discretion of Unique Minds and if counselling is withdrawn, notification will be made either by phone call or in writing.  

Furthermore, if you do not attend for two sessions, even if these were cancellations with more than 24 hours’ notice, counselling may be withdrawn. This is at the discretion of Unique Minds and if counselling is withdrawn, notification will be made either by phone call or in writing. 

If you’re late, I may still need to end at our scheduled time. I cannot complete a session if you appear to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol. If I am unable to attend a session due to an emergency, I will contact you as soon as possible to inform you and reschedule. I will inform you in advance when I will be on holiday or away.

Confidentiality

I’m a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, The National Counselling Society and the General Hypnotherapy Register. I am bound by their respective ethical codes/frameworks. Any information entered on forms or discussed in sessions is treated with the utmost confidence and kept in line with GDPR. I keep basic session notes & all records about you are destroyed after 5 years from our last session, unless an ethical reason to keep them longer arises. Should something happen to me and I am unable to contact you myself, a trusted therapist will let you know by phone or email – they will only have access to your contact details if I am unable to contact you myself. In the event of my death your notes will be destroyed by this trusted therapist, without being read.

Neither client nor therapist will record any part of the therapy without prior written consent.

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Exceptions to Confidentiality:

I am required to discuss my clients with a supervisor, and this is done without identifying you. I must pass on any information to the relevant authorities in cases where human safety is concerned including the following cases:

1. If you threaten harm to another person/s or if I believe a child or protected adult is at risk of harm.

2. If the courts instruct me to give information.

3. If you share information about a proposed act of terrorism or other illegal act such as FGM.     

4. If I believe you are at risk of harm, or harm to others I may contact your employer, GP or the emergency services if necessary.

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Online Therapy:

• No one else is permitted to be present, or to overhear us during the therapy. Please find a private space where you wont be interrupted. Earphones may help.

• You agree to participate in online therapy sessions free from the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• You have provided your location address for therapy sessions. You will ensure that there are not likely to be any distractions & have provided contact numbers in case of connection problems.

• You agree that your emergency contact person may be called if I believe you may have come to harm & I’ve been unable to assist you due to our separate locations.

• Both therapist & client will take reasonable precautions to ensure their online security is as safe as is practicable. Any breach of security caused by circumstances beyond our control (hacking, viruses etc.) happens at the clients accepted risk.

• It can help to give yourself a few minutes before and after our session to reflect and return to your usual activities.

• Having tissues, a drink, pen and paper can be useful.

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Complaints 

If you have any concerns regarding any aspect of my services, and you don't feel you can address this with me, these should be made through the BACP on 01455 883300 or Unique Minds Counselling UK Ltd. Bankes House, Ockendon Road, Upminster, Essex RM14 3QJ M: 07860 930400  ~ 

 E: info@uniquemindscounselling.co.uk www.uniquemindscounselling.co.uk 

Reg: Suite 17, Essex House, Station Road, Upminster, Essex RM14 2SJ  ~  Reg. in England No: 09877000