Responsibilities

• To be available at the agreed time.
• To start and end on time.
• To offer a quiet, appropriate and undisturbed space.
• To maintain safe, professional boundaries.
• To regard all contact and information as confidential unless she has reasonable doubt concerning the actual safety of the client or others.
• To encourage client autonomy.
• To work within the BACP/NCPS Ethical Framework (available upon request), including regular supervision.
• To review therapeutic work and relationships regularly.
• In the unlikely event of the therapist cancelling, an alternative appointment will be offered as soon as possible.
• It is an important part of the counselling process to make space for endings and for a client to not ‘just end’. This gives a chance for the client and counsellor to reflect and discuss anything that may still be unfinished, allowing space for closure.   

Client Responsibilities

• To attend punctually – please arrive five minutes before the session starts if possible.
• To not attend appointments whilst under the influence of alcohol/drugs or if you have covid/flu symptoms.
• To give a minimum of 48 hours notice when cancelling/changing an appointment, or the full fee becomes payable.
• To pay for the session within 24 hours of each appointment being made and details of my bank account will appear on the automated email. I do offer some insurance options if this is appropriate. However, I do ask that you pay for the session when making a booking and claim the money back from your insurance yourselves. I am happy to provide you with a receipt or invoice if you require this.   
• Communicating with the therapist outside agreed counselling sessions is to be limited to making, changing or cancelling an appointment (unless by prior arrangement).
• To agree to permit the therapist to contact your GP or other relevant professional bodies/people if the therapist has serious concerns about the risk to self (client) or others.
• To discuss with the therapist when you feel you are ready to end therapy.  
• To let the therapist know if you are considering entering into another therapeutic relationship.
• Regarding couples counselling, to agree that counselling sessions will only continue if both partners are fully engaged.
• As already mentioned, above, to allow space for closure and appropriate endings. This gives the client a chance to voice and reflect on what has been helpful, as well as challenging, during the counselling process.  

Can I help?

I often work with clients who present with relational issues, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma and various other mental health issues, including historical and current abuse. However, if I feel that your issue is not within my counselling capabilities, I may refer you to someone more qualified in a particular skill set; to give you, as the client, the best service to help meet your needs.

Complaints

If you feel you are not getting the service you need, I want to hear your concerns so I can offer the best possible service. If you can please speak to me directly, that would be appreciated. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), membership number: 00986753. They operate a complaints procedure and can be contacted via email at professional_conduct@bacp.co.uk. I am also an Accredited Registrant Member of The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society – MNCPS (Acc.). Membership number: NCS233-04676. You can phone a Professional Conduct Officer on 01903 213683 during normal working hours or email conduct@nationalcounsellingsociety.org . Alternatively, you can post a letter to Professional Conduct Department, National Counselling Society, 19 Grafton Road, Worthing, BN11 1QT.  

Non-attendance

Should you cancel within less than the agreed 48 hour notice period or fail to attend an appointment, the full session fee will be charged (unless it is due to exceptional circumstances), which will be at the counsellor’s discretion.

Confidentiality

I keep brief clinical notes relating to our counselling sessions, which are available to you on request. Please request this in writing (email is sufficient) and give at least 48 hours notice.

Records (paper or electronic) are kept for seven years after the termination of therapy and then destroyed/deleted.

However, there are boundaries and limits to confidentiality, and in some instances, confidentiality may be broken if:

• In the opinion of the therapist, you or others seem to be in danger or at serious risk of being harmed.
• The therapist is required to do so by subpoena (court order or instructions from a coroner).
• The client infers involvement in or knowledge of an act of terrorism or money laundering.
• The client infers knowledge of or involvement in drug trafficking.
• The client infers knowledge of or involvement in behaviours that may, in the therapist’s opinion, lead to harm or neglect to children and/or vulnerable adults.
• The client infers knowledge of domestic violence, domestic abuse or safeguarding issues.

Supervision and confidentiality

I monitor my own practice by attending regular supervision for myself and am committed to my own self-development. I work with an individual supervisor and a couple’s supervisor, both of whom are based in the UK. My supervisors are committed to our contracted confidentiality.

Contacting the therapist

If you need to contact me, you may contact me on 07781 127332 or email me to hayley@freedomcounselling.gg. My phone is often on ‘silent’ due to being with a client, but please feel free to leave a voice message or send a text, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

GDPR Statement 

I am registered and work within The Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) in Guernsey, which is the independent regulatory authority for the purposes of The Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017.

Under the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, you have certain rights. These are:

• You are allowed to see your notes. This is facilitated by making a formal request in writing.
• Having your records amended (change of name and address).
• For clients under 18, records are kept for seven years after the child turns 18.
• Under GDPR, you can request that your data be erased. However, there are exceptions to this. In the case of counselling records, insurance companies and ethical bodies ask for records to be available for the period of time outlined above.

I hold the following data safely and securely, which is password protected.

• Name and age
• Address, phone and email
• GP and medications
• Emergency contact
• Insurance information

Fees & Payment 

My fee is £30.00 for a 30-minute introductory call and £90.00 for a 60 minute individual session, which is to be paid within 24 hours of booking an appointment (unless agreed otherwise). The appointment will only be confirmed, once payment has been made.  I am also offering longer sessions (90 minutes) if this feels more useful, in order to do deeper work. 

Please note that we require at least 48 hours’ notice for an appointment to be cancelled. A refund will not be given after that time.     

My bank account details will be shown on the automated email, once you have booked via the website booking system. 

 Insurance: It is your responsibility as the client to check whether your insurance will cover the counselling sessions and for you to claim the money back from them if they do. I can provide you with an invoice/receipt once payment has been made.  If you require a referral letter, or reports in writing (i.e. GP or other professional bodies), a fee will be charged for my time.