To ensure that counselling or psychotherapy has the best chance of being helpful to you, it is essential that the framework within which the work takes place is set out before we start.

Regularity - Sessions are 50 minutes, once a week, at a regular time agreed between us. If you should arrive late, the session will still finish at the end of the arranged 50 minutes. Once we start working together, your appointment will take place on the same time and day each week. I will always try and keep to that arrangement however it may be that we have to change your allocated appointment at some point during our work together.

Payment - Payment is usually by electronic transfer. I will email you an invoice at the end of every month with my bank details. I ask that invoices are settled within a week of having been received. If your personal circumstances change, then we can discuss payment options. If an invoice isn't settled within six weeks then we may have to suspend sessions until the outstanding bill is paid in full.

I review my rates twice a year. It may be necessary to slightly increase your fee during the course of our work together to keep up with overheads.

Cancellations - If you are unable to attend a session please let me know at least 24 hours before. If it is possible to re-schedule the session for a time that is convenient for both of us, I will do my best to do so. If not, the fee for the missed session is payable. If, for some reason, I have to take an unscheduled break, you will not be charged.

HoIidays - I take approximately seven weeks holiday a year and will give you notice of my breaks at least one month in advance, you will not be charged for the times that I am away. Should you take a holiday outside of these times and it is possible to re-schedule the session/s for a time that is convenient for both of us, I am happy to do so. If not, the fee for your missed session/s is payable.

Ending - Ending a course of therapy abruptly can be harmful. Because of this, I ask for at least two weeks notice if you decide the time is right for you to end. If, for some reason, you decide to end suddenly, you may be charged for the following session.

Ethical Framework - I abide by the code of ethics of the UKCP and BACP.

Confidentiality - The sessions are completely confidential except under three circumstances:

If I believe you are at risk of harming yourself or others, I reserve the right to break confidentiality in order to prevent harm. However, I would only do this in extreme circumstances and would try to discuss it first with you before taking any action.From time to time I will discuss my work with a clinical supervisor, this is standard practice for psychotherapists at all levels of experience and helps me to work as well as I can with you. (my supervision meetings are bound by the same code of ethics and confidentiality as I am). If required by a court of law to give evidence (e.g., in criminal proceedings).

Your personal information – During our first meeting, I will make a note of your contact details and I will hold them for the duration of our work together. For the first few sessions I will take handwritten notes, which help me to retain key information about your background and your reasons for seeking therapy at this time. Notes will not have your name on them and are stored securely and separately from your contact details. I shred all notes when we finish working together.