Terms & Conditions

It is important for you to feel as comfortable as possible with the counselling process and I would encourage you to think about your expectations of counselling and what you hope to get out of the process. Counselling can be hard work but is likely to result in you feeling better about yourself, your current situation, and your future. Do ask any questions that you may have.

What to expect?

Counselling involves talking about the issues, concerns, and problems you may be experiencing; however, there are many ways to understand and work towards the outcomes you hope for. My approach is collaborative and recognizes that you are the expert on your life. Together, we will work to discover ways to explore, understand, and work therapeutically to bring about the changes you are seeking. I encourage open conversations around the counselling experience and may check in periodically to reflect on the work we are doing together.

Appointments

A counselling session lasts an hour, and it is expected and appreciated that you arrive at the agreed time; however, if you are late for your appointment, the session will end one hour after the scheduled start time.

Working Online

I primarily use zoom for online counselling sessions, please see link here to download the zoom app. Please ensure that you are in a private place where you will not be interrupted, and your conversation cannot be overheard when meeting online. Please do not record counselling sessions, unless agreed to in writing by mutual consent. Sometimes, when meeting a counsellor for the first time online, you may find yourself sharing things you did not expect to share or feel a sense of disconnection when encountering internet issues. This is normal, and together we will explore ways to help this be a safe process for you.

Working Face to Face

I offer face to face appointments in a private counselling space located in Citibase in Edinburgh’s west end, just off Charlotte Square. The counselling space is located on the first floor, and I will meet you in the reception area. There is a lift that serves the building and toilets are located on each level. Additionally, I also offer appointments at 58 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife on a Wednesday morning.

Blended Approach

I do have some flexibility to schedule appointments as a blend of online and face to face counselling; however, I would ask that these arrangements be discussed and mutually agreed prior to the start of counselling. This arrangement can be reviewed at any time. Should you unexpectedly need to change how you would like to meet, I would ask for a minimum 48-hour notice.

Session Frequency

The frequency of sessions will be mutually agreed and can be reviewed at any time.

Cost

Payment is due at the end of each session. This can be by cash or bank transfer. Each session costs £50.

Please Note: concession rates offered at a reduced fee of £45 per session and are offered to a limited number of clients.

Cancellation and Missed Appointments

We will both agree to make every effort to advise each other that an appointment cannot be kept. Ideally notification should be made no less than 48 hours before the time of the session. If I am not advised within 24 hours that you are not able to attend your appointment, then, regrettably, a fee will be payable. (Exceptional circumstances will be taken into consideration). If you miss a session without notifying me, I will contact you by text or email to see if you want to re-arrange. If you do not contact me within two weeks of my message, I will assume that you do not wish to continue with the counselling, and I will close my file.

Contact outside Sessions

There are times when I am unavailable. You are welcome to leave messages on my mobile number or by e- mail and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If I need to contact you and you are not available, I will leave my name and contact number with your prior agreement.

Confidentiality

What you share in sessions will be confidential, however, exceptions to confidentiality exist where there is a strong indication that you may be at risk of harming yourself or others. If this situation arises, I will discuss this with you, with the hope that you will agree to my seeking additional professional assistance, generally via your GP. There are also legal exceptions which could require confidentiality to be breached without your prior consent, however I would always endeavour to inform you about what has been communicated and to whom. As a member of BACP, it is a professional requirement that I receive regular supervision and I may discuss aspects of our work with a supervisor, however your identity will remain protected.

Endings

Counselling can be ended at any time by you, although my hope is that we discuss and mutually agree the appropriate time to end the counselling. If counselling ends without mutual agreement, I will assume that our counselling agreement has expired a month after the date of our last session unless contact has been resumed before this time.

GDPR & Record Keeping

In accordance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, I take the security of your personal information very seriously and I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (Registration: ZB323983). I make brief notes following each session; however, these do not constitute part of your official health record. Records will be kept securely for a period of 36 months after counselling has ended after which they will be deleted. As I cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information communicated by email or text, I will limit these exchanges to administrative matters such as booking appointments. I would encourage you to do the same.

Complaints Procedure

As a member of BACP, I abide by their professional and ethical codes of practice. Their standards and complaints procedures are available on the BACP website: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the- public/professional-conduct/how-to-complain-about-a-bacp-member/

Agreement

My signature below confirms that I have read and understood all the information given to me in the above agreement and I agree to the contents outlined in these. Additionally, I also give my permission for Julie Reekie to contact the appropriate external agencies if she believes that I am a danger to myself or to others.