THE INITIAL SESSION
The purpose of your first session is quite exploratory, it is a time for both you and your counsellor to decide whether you would like to work together, if the decision is yes then your counsellor will negotiate a contract with you which suits both your need ' s and availability. The length of your contract will vary accordingly, you might be offered long term counselling, short term or crisis counselling. If you are unable to make this contract then please do not hesitate to refer yourself back at a later date. its team of counsellors offer a range of counselling approaches and skills, including working with couples and groups. Each therapist brings their own unique approach and experience to their clients and if you have a particular requirement please contact our administrator to discuss these at any time.

THE CONTRACT
The therapeutic contract is between you and your counsellor, its will not intrude into this agreement. We do however as an organisation have a responsibility to ensure that the service you receive is of a very high standard. All of our therapist undertake to further their own development and the whole team have both their personal and professional development continuously monitored.

FEES AND CANCELLATIONS
Are per session on a Sliding Scale: From £20 - £50 per counselling hour and as discussed with individual clients.
A full 48 hours notice is required to cancel appointments.
Less than 48 hours full fee is payable.
Discuss method of payment and invoicing with your counsellor.

B.A.C.P
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
As individual members of BACP, all of its counsellors are bound by the B.A.C.P Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and are subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure therein.
If you should refer a relative or friend to our service, we will ensure they are allocated a different counsellor to yourself. This is done with the safety of your own counselling and to promote good ethical practice, maintaining clear boundaries and client confidentiality.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND SUPERVISION
As part of the " Ethical Framework for Good Practise in Counselling & Psychotherapy." all of our counsellors must adhere to guidelines of client confidentiality and also receive regular supervision.

Therefore any information you discuss with you counsellor is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else, Supervision is very important part of the counselling process to ensure that the counselling you receive is to a very good standard and safe.

When your counsellor has supervision your name and any other means of identifying you will not be used.

If you wish to ask the counsellor the name of their supervisor you may do so. This is especially important for student counsellor receiving counselling, or if you have family or friends that are practising counsellors or supervisors.

If your counsellor feels that there is a real risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or if they feel you are no longer able to take responsibility for your own actions, your counsellor will ask you for your consent to disclose any information that may help you.

We also have a 'Child Protection Policy' all of our counsellors have a duty of care to uphold our policy remembering that the welfare of the child is paramount.