Code of Ethics
As members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Wellness Consulting are bound by the ethical framework for good practice, and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure therein (www.bacp.co.uk). We agree to respect you, your values and belief systems, and to work with you in a way that best suits your needs at the time.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed in session will remain confidential. However, we are required to seek further advice if it appears you are at risk of harming yourself or others, and if this is the case the therapist will discuss with you prior to reporting the concern. If the Counsellor is concerned you are at risk of harming yourself, they may refer you to your GP for further support.
Record Keeping
In accordance with the BACP ethical framework, Counsellors keep records to assist in recalling circumstances and to help clarify the progress and direction of the counselling. Once the counselling has ceased, the notes will be kept securely by the therapist for a period of three years. After this period of time has elapsed the notes will be shredded. The records of the counselling process may be seen by the client. We use a secure online system for booking and confirming appointments, producing invoices and storing client data and statistics, not notes from the session. This system is only accessible by the account holding therapist and senior management. All information remains confidential and is securely stored.
Boundaries
No contact is permitted with the Counsellor outside the therapeutic relationship of the counselling experience. Physical contact is inappropriate at any time. In order to respect your privacy, the Counsellor will discuss with you in the first session how you might interact if there is a chance meeting in a social setting. Counsellors are not qualified to help or advise clients in respect of certain practical aspects of the presenting issues, such as housing, entitlement to statutory benefits, or legal advice. It is not your therapists’ responsibility to provide reports in support of litigation.
Supervision
Good therapeutic practice requires all therapists to have regular supervision to monitor their practice. Wellness Consulting Therapists undertake regular supervision by another experienced colleague where client issues and practice interventions are discussed. You remain anonymous and identifying details are not revealed.
Reciprocal Commitment and Continuity
Continuity of therapy is very important and the therapist is committed to providing you with a regular weekly session at the same time in the same location. This is a reciprocal commitment between you and your therapist, where your commitment to your sessions matches your therapist’s commitment. If you are unable to attend your regular session the following terms apply:
- Please inform your therapist or the Wellness Consulting appointments team as soon as possible; it may be possible to provide you with an alternative session close to your regular session and avoid a cancellation.
- Absence, with 2 or more days notice, will be charged at 50% of the normal fee.
- Absence with less than 48 hours’ notice, will be charged at the full fee.
- If your therapist is unable to attend, we’ll inform you as soon as possible. You will not be charged.
Occasionally your Counsellor may suggest tasks for you to work on between sessions. This should be seen as important and not treated lightly, it is another element of the ongoing commitment to therapy.
Fees
The fee depends on the tier of service you require and is for a 50minute session, unless stated otherwise in advance. The fee is subject to annual review. Fees are paid directly by bank transfer 48 hours before your session, or Credit or Debit card held on the Wellness Consulting ‘Point of Sale’ system and can either be paid weekly, at the end of your scheduled appointment time, or six weekly in advance.
Ending Counselling
If you decide to end your sessions, please make this known within a session in order that an end date can be agreed and worked towards. Whilst this agreement can be terminated, either verbally or in writing with 7 days’ notice, we recommend that you discuss ending your sessions with your therapist and agree a final date. Terminating this agreement ends the Reciprocal Commitment and Continuity but does not release the therapist from the terms relating to confidentiality.
Concerns
Your therapist welcomes you to discuss any difficulties that may arise about the session and will work with you to resolve this. If your situation is unresolved, please raise any concerns with Lucy Payne who can be contacted on 07547 417 559 or via email at lucy@wellnessconsulting.co.uk. We understand that raising concerns about your counselling experience is not always easy, but rest assured that your concerns will be taken seriously, and met with a sympathetic response. If you are dissatisfied with our response you can seek advice from the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists https://www.bacp.co.uk/
Your therapist is regulated and insured in the UK. If an issue arises from providing services outside the UK, the complaint and any legal proceedings need to be initiated and conducted in the UK, under the UK regulatory and legal system.
As the entire therapeutic relationship is built on trust and openness between the client and the therapist, a binding contract will not be effective until you have had an opportunity to read, consider and query any aspects of these terms and conditions. Only then will you be invited to sign a copy for our records.
Last Updated: 2 December 2024