These terms and conditions form a contract between you and your therapist for psychological therapy services. It is important that you read and understand them before you agree to proceed with therapy. Please also refer to our privacy policy which outlines in more detail how we use your personal information you provide us with.
Please note, separate terms and conditions will be provided for review and agreement for our other services upon instruction (e.g. wellbeing workshops, training, supervision, medico-legal).
Initial Assessment
The initial assessment session is a space to discuss your difficulties and the reasons you are seeking help. This will also be an opportunity for you to talk about what your expectations are for therapy and to set therapy goals. It will also be an opportunity to decide if the therapist’s style of work suits your needs.
Following assessment, your therapist might wish to write to your GP or other professionals involved in your care, to briefly summarise the assessment, and inform them that you are engaging in psychological therapy. Please discuss with your therapist any concerns that you might have about this.
Please note that the initial assessment is not a guarantee that therapy sessions will be offered. It may be that following assessment, the therapist may feel that they are not the best person to help you at the current time. Additionally, after assessment, if you feel that your therapist is not the right professional for you, there is no obligation to see them for further appointments. Either way, the therapist will endeavour to point you towards a source of help that meets your needs.
Confidentiality
Overall, what is discussed in the sessions is strictly confidential between you and your therapist. However, there are some exceptional circumstances under which confidentiality will be breached for legal reasons, even without your permission, and they are:
1. If your therapist believes that you are in immediate danger to yourself or to others, or
2. If there is sufficient evidence to raise concern of the health, welfare or safety of children or vulnerable adults.
In these circumstances, your therapist will initially encourage you to contact an appropriate source of support/help. However, if it is felt that you are unable to do so, your therapist has a duty of care to make this contact. This will be discussed with you first before passing any information on to others and explained to you why your therapist has chosen to take this course of action.
There may be some occasions when it might be helpful for your therapist to speak to or write to your GP or other healthcare professional about your treatment. Your therapist would gain your permission to do this and you would be copied into all written correspondence unless you request otherwise. Where necessary, your therapist may also ask for your permission to talk with a relative or friend if it is in your best interests. Your consent for this would always be sought.
As with all therapists, Clinical Psychologists receive regular clinical supervision. This is required in our code of conduct. We will discuss clients in these sessions in order for the supervisor to support the therapy offered and to ensure clients are receiving the best possible care.
Professional Code of Conduct & Accountability
Practicing Clinical Psychologists are required to be registered with the national regulatory body, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Registration means that you can be safe in the knowledge that the service you receive is delivered by a suitably qualified Clinical Psychologist.
Many qualified Clinical Psychologists also look to achieve chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Chartered status reflects the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise, demonstrating a commitment to professional development and high ethical standards of practice.
The title, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS) is awarded in recognition of several years’ experience and contribution to the field of psychology.
All private practitioners are required to be registered with the information commissioners office (ICO) and to have public indemnity insurance.
Fees
Please enquire with each therapist about their fees.
Cancellations
If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please let your therapist know as soon as possible. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will be charged in full. Clients in receipt of a set number of insurance funded sessions may not have the session replaced as it will still need to be charged for.
Lateness and Non-Attendance of Sessions
If you arrive late for your session, please expect that the session will end at the previously designated time and will not be extended.
Holidays
Please let your therapist know about any holidays or planned breaks with as much notice as possible to preserve the continuity of your work together. Your therapist will do the same.
Health Insurance
Each therapist is registered with most major health insurance providers. However, please check with them before embarking on sessions to make sure your policy is valid and that your sessions will be covered in full. You will be responsible for payment of all outstanding charges on your account, regardless of the cover you have.
Support Outside of Sessions and Emergencies
The therapists do not offer emergency support outside of sessions because they cannot guarantee their availability to you. Contact numbers and e-mails should only be used to communicate about appointment times or cancellations.
If you are finding that you require additional support between sessions, please discuss this with your therapist and your GP.
If you feel you are in crisis and are struggling please contact the emergency services, your GP (out-of-hours GP can be contacted by calling 111) or the Samaritans (116 123 – free to call from any landline or mobile). Giveusashout.org also offers a confidential text service by texting “shout” to 85258.