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Counselling Agreement

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Kelly Haddock - The Holding Place

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Welcome

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Thank you for choosing The Holding Place.

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Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step and it is important that you feel safe, informed and able to make decisions about your therapeutic journey.

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This Counselling Agreement explains how we will work together and sets out what you can expect from me, what I ask of you, and the professional boundaries that help create a safe and consistent therapeutic relationship. If there is anything within this agreement that you do not understand, please ask before signing.

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Research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. My aim is to provide a compassionate, accepting and non-judgemental space where you feel heard, respected and supported as we work together at your own pace.

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About the Service

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The Holding Place provides online counselling for adults via Zoom.

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Sessions are:

  • 50 minutes in length

  • Usually held weekly or fortnightly

  • Delivered in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework.

 

 

Fees and Payment

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The current fee is £50 per session.

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Payment can be made by:

  • Bank Transfer

  • PayPal

 

Payment must be received no later than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.

If payment has not been received before your appointment, I reserve the right to postpone or cancel the session until payment has been made.

Should my fees change in the future, you will be given reasonable notice before the new fee takes effect.

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Cancellation Policy

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If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, please provide at least 48 hours' notice.

Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or appointments that are not attended, will normally be charged at the full session fee.

I understand that genuine emergencies do happen and these situations will always be considered individually.

If I need to cancel your appointment, I will provide as much notice as possible and offer an alternative appointment where available.

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Online Counselling

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Counselling sessions are delivered using Zoom.

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Please ensure that you:

  • have access to a stable internet connection

  • are in a private space where you cannot be overheard

  • use headphones where possible to increase confidentiality

  • minimise interruptions during the session

 

If our connection is interrupted, I will attempt to reconnect immediately. If this is unsuccessful, I will contact you using the telephone number you have provided so that we can agree how best to continue.

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Confidentiality

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Everything discussed within counselling is treated as confidential.

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However, there are occasions where confidentiality may need to be broken. These include:

  • where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself

  • where there is a serious risk of harm to another person

  • where there are safeguarding concerns relating to a child or vulnerable adult

  • where disclosure is required by law or court order

  • where legislation relating to terrorism or serious crime applies

 

Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first before sharing information.

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Clinical Supervision

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As required by the BACP Ethical Framework, I attend regular clinical supervision.

This helps ensure that I continue to work safely, ethically and effectively.

Your work may be discussed anonymously within supervision. Your identity will not normally be disclosed.

 

 

Communication Between Sessions

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Email and WhatsApp may be used for:

  • arranging appointments

  • rearranging appointments

  • other administrative matters

 

Therapy cannot be provided by email or WhatsApp.

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If you choose to send information that relates to your therapeutic work between sessions, this communication will be securely retained and brought into your next scheduled counselling session where appropriate, rather than discussed outside of session.

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I aim to respond to administrative messages as soon as reasonably possible during normal working hours. Messages are not monitored continuously.

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Crisis Support

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The Holding Place is not a crisis or emergency service.

I am unable to provide immediate support outside of scheduled counselling sessions.

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If you believe you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, please contact:

Emergency Services: 999

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If you require urgent medical advice, please contact:

NHS 111

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If you require emotional support outside of sessions, you may contact:

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123

Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

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Records and Privacy

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I keep brief counselling records to support safe and ethical practice.

Records may be stored securely in both paper and electronic formats.

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By signing this agreement, you confirm that you have read and understood The Holding Place Privacy Policy, available on my website.

 

The Privacy Policy explains:

  • what personal information is collected

  • how it is stored

  • how long it is retained

  • your rights under UK GDPR

  • how your information may be shared where legally or ethically required

 

 

Professional Standards

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I work independently and in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework.

I undertake regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and clinical supervision to maintain safe, ethical and effective practice.

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Ending Therapy

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You have the right to end counselling at any time.

Whilst this decision will always be respected, I usually recommend arranging a final ending session where possible.

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An ending session provides an opportunity to:

  • reflect on the work we have completed together

  • acknowledge your progress

  • discuss any future support that may be helpful

  • bring our therapeutic relationship to a thoughtful and meaningful close

 

I may also discuss ending therapy with you if I believe counselling is no longer beneficial, if your needs fall outside my area of competence, or if continuing therapy would no longer be in your best interests. Wherever possible, this will be discussed openly and respectfully.

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Complaints

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If you have any concerns about the counselling you receive, I encourage you to discuss these with me in the first instance wherever you feel able to do so.

Many concerns can be resolved through open and honest conversation.

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If your concern cannot be resolved, or you would prefer not to discuss it with me directly, you may make a complaint through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) using their published complaints procedure.

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Agreement

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By signing below, I confirm that:

  • I have read and understood this Counselling Agreement.

  • I have had the opportunity to ask any questions.

  • I understand the limits of confidentiality.

  • I understand the cancellation policy and payment arrangements.

  • I understand that The Holding Place is not a crisis service.

  • I confirm that I have read The Holding Place Privacy Policy available on the website.

  • I agree to work within the terms of this agreement.

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Client

Name: _______________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: ________________________________________

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Counsellor

Kelly Haddock - The Holding Place

Signature: _________________________________

Date: ________________________________________

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