COUNSELLING CONTRACT

This agreement sets out the terms of our therapeutic relationship and is intended to ensure that we work together safely, ethically and effectively. By entering into counselling with me, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the contents of this agreement and my Privacy Notice.

Counsellor: Nishma Shah (trading as At Your Pace Counselling)

Purpose of Counselling

Counselling provides a confidential and supportive space in which you can explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences and concerns. My role is to facilitate this process with empathy, respect and without judgement.

Counselling can support emotional wellbeing, personal growth and self-understanding; however, no guarantees can be made regarding outcomes. I will work collaboratively with you and may, where appropriate, offer information, psychoeducation or suggestions. If I believe another service may better meet your needs, I will discuss appropriate referral options with you.

Professional Standards

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

BACP Membership Number: 391608

My practice is guided by the principles of:

• Respect for human dignity and rights
• Empathy, authenticity and acceptance
• Client autonomy and informed choice
• Professional integrity and accountability
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Promoting client wellbeing and safety

Confidentiality

Everything discussed within counselling sessions is treated as confidential.

There are, however, exceptional circumstances where confidentiality may need to be limited. These include situations where:

• There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person
• A child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Disclosure is required by law or court order
• Information relates to terrorism, money laundering or other serious criminal activity where there is a legal duty to report
• Professional consultation is required through clinical supervision

Where possible, I will discuss any proposed disclosure with you beforehand. However, there may be situations where this is not possible due to safeguarding, legal or emergency considerations.

As part of safe professional practice, I attend regular clinical supervision. Information discussed in supervision is anonymised wherever possible and supervisors are bound by professional confidentiality requirements.

Sessions

Sessions are usually held online at an agreed day and time and last for 50 minutes.

The full session time is reserved for you. If you join late, the session will still end at the agreed time and the full session fee remains payable.

I ask clients to commit initially to a minimum of six sessions to support the development of a therapeutic relationship. Following this period, sessions will continue by mutual agreement and reviewed regularly.

Should your circumstances change and you need to alter your appointment time, I will do my best to accommodate this, subject to availability.

Online Counselling

Sessions are conducted using an agreed online platform.

You are responsible for ensuring that you have access to:

• A private and confidential space
• A reliable internet connection
• A suitable device for online sessions

Please ensure that you will not be overheard or interrupted during our sessions wherever possible.

In the event of technical difficulties, I will attempt to reconnect. If reconnection is not possible, we will agree an alternative arrangement where appropriate.

While reasonable measures are taken to ensure security, no online communication platform can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Contact Between Sessions

Email and text messaging are intended primarily for arranging, cancelling or rescheduling appointments and other administrative matters.

I do not provide counselling or crisis support via email, text message or social media messaging services.

I aim to respond to messages within two working days where possible.

Social Media and Online Contact

To protect professional boundaries and confidentiality, I do not accept friend or connection requests from current or former clients via personal social media platforms.

If you choose to follow any professional social media accounts associated with my practice, please be aware that this may affect your privacy.

Emergency and Crisis Support

Counselling is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are at immediate risk of harm, or require urgent support between sessions, please contact:

• Your GP
• NHS 111
• Your local Mental Health Crisis Team
• Samaritans on 116 123
• Emergency Services on 999 if there is immediate danger

If I become seriously concerned about your safety or the safety of another person, I may contact your emergency contact, GP or relevant services in line with my safeguarding and ethical responsibilities.

Attendance, Cancellation and Holidays

You are expected to attend sessions as agreed.

If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide at least 48 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or missed appointments, will usually be charged at the full session fee unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Where possible, I will offer an alternative appointment within the same week, subject to availability.

I will endeavour to provide at least four weeks' notice of any planned holidays or absences. Sessions cancelled by me will not be charged.

Fees and Payment

My fee is £50 per 50-minute session.

Payment is required in advance of each session unless otherwise agreed.

Invoices and receipts can be provided on request.

Any bank charges, transaction fees or foreign currency conversion fees incurred in relation to payments remain the responsibility of the client.

Fees are reviewed periodically and any fee increase will be communicated with at least 30 days' notice.

Ending Counselling

You are free to end counselling at any time.

However, where possible, I encourage you to discuss your decision with me and to attend a final ending session so that we can review the work completed and bring our counselling relationship to a thoughtful and appropriate close.

Likewise, if I believe counselling is no longer beneficial, appropriate, or within my professional competence, I will discuss this with you and, where possible, support you in accessing alternative services.

Conduct and Boundaries

Clients are expected to behave respectfully throughout the counselling relationship.

Aggressive, threatening, abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour towards me or others will not be tolerated and may result in the immediate suspension or termination of counselling.

You are advised not to attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. If I believe you are unable to engage safely or meaningfully in the counselling process due to intoxication, the session may be ended and charged in full.

Data Protection

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under registration number ZB388885.

Your personal information is processed in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and my Privacy Notice, which forms part of this agreement.

Counselling records and related information are retained in accordance with my Privacy Notice and applicable legal, professional and insurance requirements.

Enhanced DBS

I hold an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate appropriate to my work with adults and young people and undertake updates in accordance with professional requirements.

Professional Insurance

I maintain professional indemnity and public liability insurance appropriate to my counselling practice.

Details of my current insurance provider can be made available upon request.

Complaints

I hope that any concerns can be discussed openly and resolved between us wherever possible.

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of my practice, you are encouraged to raise this with me in the first instance.

If your concerns cannot be resolved informally, you may make a formal complaint. Information about the BACP Professional Conduct Procedure can be found on the BACP website.

Nothing in this agreement affects your right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) regarding data protection matters.

Clinical Will

As part of my professional duty of care, I maintain a Clinical Will.

In the unlikely event of my death, serious illness or incapacity, a designated Clinical Executor will access limited client contact information solely for the purpose of informing clients, arranging appropriate closure and, where appropriate, providing information about alternative sources of support.

Any person acting under my Clinical Will will be bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.

Governing Law

This agreement and our therapeutic relationship are governed by the laws of England and Wales, regardless of the country in which the client resides or accesses counselling services.

Agreement

By proceeding with counselling, you confirm that:

• You have read and understood this Counselling Agreement
• You have read the Privacy Notice
• You have had the opportunity to ask questions about either document
• You consent to counselling being provided under these terms