Terms of Business

aandI am a qualified counsellor and member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I abide by the BACP code of ethics and practice.

We will discuss what you would like to gain from counselling and what you like to discuss. I will review how things are going from time to time and you can ask for a review at any time if you feel the need for one.

I can offer you confidentiality but within certain restrictions. If I believe there to be a risk of serious harm to yourself, a child or others then I have a duty to pass this on to other authorities. I will of course aim to get your consent before but this may not be possible.

I discuss my client work with my supervisor who maintains the same level of confidentiality.

We will discuss the frequency of our meetings. My preferred method is to meet weekly at the same day and time as far as practically possible; I have found this to be helpful in creating a rhythm to the therapy. I do recognize however that things happen so ask that any cancellation is made giving me 48 hours’ notice. If I am unable to make an appointment, I will inform you as soon as possible and will try to make an alternative appointment for as soon as possible. Sessions are 50 minutes to an hour; it is my responsibility to adhere to the time boundary. I’m afraid I cannot extend the time should you arrive late.

I do not normally offer telephone support in between sessions.

Endings are important and it is generally considered good practice to allow enough time to end a therapeutic relationship, so I would ask if we or you wish to end our sessions together then you discuss this face to face, not via text or email, so we can reflect on this and evaluate our work together. I usually suggest that we have one last session so our work ends effectively.

I ask that your telephone is turned off during the session; if it is turned to silent and rings, I ask that you do not attend to it unless we have agreed this at the start of the session. I too will turn off my phone.

Please note there is no reception or waiting area in my Chudleigh therapy room, so if you arrive early I might not be able to let you in; I therefore ask if you could arrive on time. Thank you.

Payment

My fees are £55 and £70 for parental consultation. I ask that payment is settled at the end of each session. I review my fees annually; you will be informed of any increase giving a month’s notice.

My preferred method of payment is cash or cheque. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, however, I ask you complete this before our session. My bank details are:

Account number: 10466586
Sort code 09-01-29.

Cancellation policy

If an appointment is cancelled giving more 48 hours’ notice then there will be a charge of half of the fee. If cancelled within 48 hours, for whatever reason, then the full fee will be charged.

If I have to cancel an appointment I will give as much notice as possible and do what I can to arrange another. I will give you at least 2 weeks’ notice about any holiday I have planned and ask if you could do the same.

Privacy Statement

I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). I keep minimal records on my computer of our sessions with no identifying information. Any written information such as entries in my diary or phone are written in a code and cannot be identified this way. Any information I have, such as contact details are to facilitate any need to contact you. When our sessions end I will keep the information for a period of 36 months after which they will be destroyed and deleted. You have the right to ask to see the information I keep.

Louise Deane MBACP
07745 146 128
louise.deane54@outlook.co.uk
www.louisedeanecounselling.co.uk