Confidentiality. Our conversations in therapy are confidential. I attend regular supervision to support my work. In supervision, I anonymise any clinical material, and my supervisor follows the same confidentiality requirements as I do. I may break confidentiality only in rare circumstances: if I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or to others, if safeguarding concerns arise, or if the law requires disclosure (for example, through a court order). Wherever possible, I would aim to discuss this with you in advance..
Data protection. I store your personal details securely in a password-protected folder, backed up via iCloud. I do not keep detailed session notes, but only brief, anonymised records for professional and ethical purposes. I share your contact details with two trusted professional colleagues who act as clinical executors. They would contact you only if I were unexpectedly unable to continue practising due to serious illness or death. I retain your data only for as long as professional and legal obligations require and then delete it securely. By completing this form, you consent to this arrangement.
Sessions. The initial consultation lasts 80 minutes. Ongoing therapy sessions last 50 minutes. Sessions usually take place on the same day and at the same time each week. If you cannot attend, I will try to reschedule, although I cannot guarantee this.
Fees. The fee for an initial consultation (80 minutes) is £60. My fee for ongoing therapy sessions (50 minutes) is £60 to £90, depending on income. This approach allows me to offer reduced-fee therapy where needed. If, during therapy, you would like to increase the frequency of sessions, we can discuss whether a reduction in the fee per session might be possible.
Payment. I invoice monthly, at the end of each month, for all sessions scheduled during that period.
Cancellation. If you cannot attend a session, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. I will do my best to offer an alternative time, although I cannot guarantee this. To keep a regular time reserved for you, I charge in full for sessions you do not attend, including those you cancel with notice. I do not charge for sessions I cancel due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
Breaks in therapy. I take short breaks at Christmas and Easter, and a longer break in the summer. I aim to give at least one month’s notice of these breaks. I do not charge for sessions that fall during my planned breaks. If you choose to take a break from therapy, payment remains due for the reserved session time, even when you give notice. This reflects the fact that I continue to hold the time for you.
Medication. Please let me know if you take any medication that may affect your mood or behaviour, and tell me about any changes during therapy. I ask for this information to help me understand your situation more fully. Please note that I do not offer medical advice.
Professional standards. I am a member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy and practise in accordance with its Code of Ethics and Professional Standards. If you wish to make a formal complaint, you may do so through the UKCP’s complaints procedure.
Ending therapy. Endings often form an important and meaningful part of therapy. To allow time to think about and work towards an ending, I ask you to give a minimum of one month’s notice.