Within this service it is usual for the practitioner and the client to have an agreement when working together. The purpose of this is to make sure both the client and the practitioner are clear about what to expect. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me about this at any time.
I will be working from remote locations, but I am able to ensure that we are in confidential space and that we will not be overheard. We encourage you to think about how you may create a quiet space in a separate room for yourself to be able to take the call.
Confidentiality and Limits of Confidentiality
• Everything discussed within the sessions remains confidential. However, on occasions information will have to be shared with other professionals.
• If you show intent to seriously harm yourself or others
• You tell me something that leads me to believe that you are being harmed, or to believe that a child/vulnerable adult is being harmed or is at serious risk of being harmed.
• You disclose during your session that you have committed a serious crime or show intent to commit a crime.
• I am ordered by a court to disclose information about you.
• If you reveal intent to commit an act of terrorism or are dealing in drugs or laundering money.
• You will be made aware of any concerns that I have wherever possible and any subsequent plan of action to deal with the situation. If during a call, I am concerned for your safety/wellbeing, I will ask you to seek crisis support and I will offer you guidance on how to do this. If you are unable to seek help and I do not feel you are safe, I may need to seek help on your behalf. This may mean contacting your GP on your behalf regarding my concerns. This is in line with GDPR 2018 and the BACP Ethical guide.
• Working Online Safely, In addition, notes from each session will be completed and kept on a secure computer system. I will also be supervised to support my practice and is essential as part of good practice BACP 2018. You have the right to request your notes under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. After the counselling/emotional support has ended, I am legally required to keep client records for 7 years, after which they are destroyed.
• In addition: Sessions are not to be recorded or captured by image by either the practitioner or the client.
• An agreement that if the session is disturbed by someone walking into the client’s space, that they can agree a safe word or that the client can use ‘leave the meeting button’, this can be agreed during the initial session or disengage from the phone call or WhatsApp.
• Each session will be 50 minutes long for counselling.
• Sessions cannot take place if the client is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, nor will sessions continue if a client becomes threatening or violent.
• Both to switch off phones or notifications and close any other tabs on their laptop.
Missed or Cancelled Appointments
If you need to cancel an appointment, ring or text me as soon as possible. You will not lose a session if you give me 48 hours notice. If you cancel on the day, you will be charged for the session.
Prior notice given for holidays breaks etc. for both client and Counsellor will be given in advance and not charged for.
If you are satisfied with the boundaries we have discussed, we will both verbally agree to this working agreement. I will keep a copy of this for my records and provide you with a copy for the information following:
Client’s Name:
Counsellor’s name:
GP’s name and address and phone number:
(By giving this information, you agree that if there are any concerns about your wellbeing, I have consent to contact them)
Jane Elliott Therapy 