Framework for Counselling

COUNSELLING FRAMEWORK

These notes offer a framework for our work together. Please feel free to discuss any of these points with me.

Beginning

Our first meeting will be an opportunity to talk about what brought you to counselling and what you hope to gain from it. It is also an opportunity to get a sense of what it might be like to work together.

Fees

For a fifty-minute individual session I charge £60. Please pay by the end of each session by cash or cheque. By arrangement you can also pay me by BACS. If you cannot afford this please ask as I may be able to be flexible on my fee.

Times

The sessions are usually weekly, at the same time and last 50 minutes. So that people can arrive and leave in privacy, please arrive no more than a couple of minutes early. If you arrive late, we will still finish at the set time.

Missed and cancelled sessions

If you are unable to attend a session, please let me know as soon as possible. I will charge for missed sessions unless given a week’s notice except in exceptional circumstances (if possible I will offer an alternative appointment). On rare occasions I may need to cancel a session. If that happens, I will give you as much notice as I can and I will offer alternative times if I am able to.

Holidays

I will give you notice of any holidays I intend to take and ask that you do the same.

Ending

We will work to end at a mutually agreed time, giving attention to the finishing process. If our work together is long term I find it important to give necessary space to ending. We can agree this depending on the nature of our work.

Confidentiality

The service I offer is confidential but I will take aspects of our work to supervision. Your identity will not be disclosed. Confidentiality may only be broken if you or others are likely to be harmed, if you disclose information concerning money laundering, drug trafficking or acts of terrorism. I will always endeavour to consult with you about this before making any disclosure.

Professional organization

I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work to their code of ethics and practice.

Richard Atkinson MBACP

07828 578416

richardatkinson1963@btinternet.com                                          19/02/18 revised