Counselling Contract

Online Sessions and Telephone Sessions

All our online sessions will be held on Teams, a link will be sent to you via email 24 hours before our session, the same meeting link will be used throughout our work together.

To ensure your confidentiality I will be using headphones for both online and telephone sessions. This is so I am the only person within my environment who will be able to hear you. I aim to make our working therapeutic space a confidential and consistent safe space.

When working online, where possible please use a private password protected computer and private e-mail address. Virus and spyware definitions are regularly updated on my computer.

Technical Difficulties

If technical difficulties are experienced, for example computer or internet breakdown I will undertake to contact you via telephone on the number provided, we can carry on our session on the telephone or we can plan for an alternative session to be arranged.

Reviews and Ending Sessions

Part of the therapy process involves regular reviews between yourself and I. This is to ensure that work is progressing and that you are still getting what you need from the sessions. All therapy comes to an end at some point. Regular reviews help with appropriately planned endings as this is an important part of the therapy process.

Confidentiality and the Limits of Confidentiality

All counselling appointments are confidential, between yourself and your therapist, with the following limitations:

I discuss my therapeutic work with a supervisor. All counsellors who work under the BACP ethical code and I attend regular supervision as part of their practice. It’s aim is to check I am working safely and to improve my practice. Your anonymity will be protected at all times during this process
If I need to record the session or use the content for ongoing training then I will obtain your separate consent.
There may be occasions when we think the risk that you will harm yourself or others over-rides our duty of confidentiality and we would contact a third party.
We may become aware of issues related to safeguarding children during the counselling which will over-ride our duty of confidentiality to you.
If you are involved in a court case, the court may order that information about you is disclosed.
If I have knowledge to suppose you might be involved in a crime under the terror act or if I am asked directly by the police about certain offences, I may be obliged to give them the information.

Unexpected Illness or Endings In the event of anything happening to me that prevents me from attending a session or from continuing the therapeutic work together - such as illness or death, I have appointed a Therapeutic Executor who would be able to access your contact details and inform you and suggest an onward referral.

Data Protection and Record Keeping

As required by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), any hard copies of your name and contact details will be kept in a secure, locked cabinet, and electronic material will be kept securely in devices that are password-protected and encrypted, I am a registered member of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). I will not keep data any longer than is necessary, and it will be destroyed securely at the end of the recommended period of retention.

Session Times and Personal Space

Your session times are important, and this is your “space”. Being prepared is an important part of therapy. Ensuring that you are comfortable, having a safe and private space to work from is important. All session times are conducted at an agreed time between us. It is also important to be able to give yourself a bit of time and space after each session.

Therapy uses energy and can bring up a host of emotions. Ensuring you have some time after a session is healthy selfcare. Try to make sure you do not have to rush off for an appointment, having a cup of tea or a glass of water and doing something pleasurable for 5 – 10 mins can help..

Fees and Payment of Sessions

Payments are made prior to counselling sessions starting. Payment for sessions need to be made at least 24 hours before your booked session or it will be considered cancelled. Payments can be made weekly but must be paid 24 hours in advance at the latest.

I offer a free introductory 15-minute telephone consultation to enable us to see if working together feels right for both of us. Charges are £55 per 50 minute session payable in advance of your session, 24 hours before the session by bank transfer, my details are:

Ms Sara Iavarone

Sort Code 11-02-88

Account Number 10754766

Late or Missed Sessions and Cancellation

Session are organised for an agreed date and time. If you are late attending the session, we will stay online for 15 minutes to allow for any eventualities. If you do not make contact within this time, then the session will be considered missed and will be cancelled. You will be charged for this. If you are late attending your session, we will still end on the original time for the session. If you wish to cancel a session you are asked to give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice by either email or SMS.

Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice or missed without notification may incur a cancellation fee. This policy helps maintain consistency in your therapeutic journey and ensures the integrity of our time together. If you need to reschedule, please reach out as early as possible, and I'll do my best to accommodate you.

Attending Sessions

I work with all clients in a professional manner. I ask that you do not attend therapy sessions under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Dual Relationship

As therapists we aim to develop a trusting and friendly working relationship, however, as a therapist we are not a “friend”. To maintain the confidentiality and the boundaries of our work it is not appropriate to engaged “socially” on any social network, social or professional forums.

Complaints

I endeavour to ensure that you benefit from your therapy. I encourage you to let me know if you have concerns about any aspect of our sessions. If we are unable to resolve an issue and you wish to make a complaint, you can contact the BACP here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/get-help-with-counselling-concerns-service/ or by telephone or email on call us on 01455 883300 or 07811 762114 or 07811 762256 or email gethelp@bacp.co.uk.

Emergency

If there is a medical emergency during the session online or telephone, I will contact the emergency services to help you at the address you have disclosed. Please do keep your contact details up to date. Online counselling is not suitable if you are experiencing an enduring mental health illness or are experiencing acute distress. If you feel you are in crisis or are in danger of harming yourself then is it imperative that you contact the emergency services for help or go to your nearest A&E department. Please see the Emergency Contacts resource list for crisis support.

In an emergency:

Call 999
Go to your local A&E department

If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone:

Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)
Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment

Agreement

I have read and discussed the above information and the privacy policy with my Counsellor. I understand the risks and benefits of counselling, the nature and limits of confidentiality, and what is expected of me as a client.

I give my permission to Sara Iavarone to make contact with the appropriate external agencies if there arises a reason to believe I am a danger to others and/or myself.