Counselling Contract
Agreement
This is a mutual agreement between you the client or person having ‘parental responsibility’ and 4 Seasons
Therapeutic Services. The reading and understanding of the agreement takes place before counselling
sessions begin. The agreement is there to ensure both parties understand their obligations and
responsibilities to one another in a professional capacity.
Counsellor:
Counsellors are registered in their own right with an ethical body, however, I G. Hyman am registered with the
British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and adhere to their Code of Ethics for
Professional Counsellors. Student counsellors taken on as the business develops will also follow the same
procedures and registered accordingly. Counsellors take care of their own health and wellbeing to provide
the best service possible to their client, part of this process involves having regular supervision with a senior
supervisor. Counsellors also update their knowledge and understanding through further training if required
to enhance Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Insurance:
We are fully insured with public liability insurance with Holistic Insurance and have a full enhanced DBS to be
able to work with both children and adults.
Counselling/therapy Sessions:
Sessions will consist of you the client and the counsellor, and no other persons are permitted to attend a
session, unless the counselling is specifically tailored and booked for groups, couples, and mediation or
family therapy sessions.
The first session will be a FREE introduction session of 30 minutes either over the telephone, online (digitally)
or face to face. This is to ensure the reading and understanding of the contractual agreement and the
sharing of initial information to begin the professional relationship, see privacy notice on how data is
collected and stored. Here we will establish if or not we can work therapeutically together. If this is the case
then you will agree a program and book in further sessions. The sessions are dependent on your individual
needs and the amounts of sessions are tailored to suit you. We can have a fixed term for example 8 weeks or
an open contract where we work through things and complete regular reviews to see where you feel you are
at. Future sessions will last for 50 minutes, usually weekly at the same time and day of each week, however we
understand that this is not necessarily practical and may make changes accordingly providing your
counsellor can accommodate this.
If you are late to a session, we may still see you, though the start time from the initial agreed appointment will
stand. For example if your appointment was for 3pm and you attend at 3.20pm, then your counsellor will
counsel you for a further 30 minutes until 3.50pm. ** Please note you will still be charged the full fee.
Fees:
One to one counselling session - £25.00 - £35.00
Family counselling - £45.00
Play Therapy - £25.00 - £35.00
These prices are subject to review on an annual basis, you will receive minimum of 1 months notice for any
change and increase in prices.
Payment is due at the start of each session either by cash for face to face or BACS/bank transfer. Please
provide your name as reference on any bank transfers, i.e. A. Pippin
Cancellation:
I require a full 24 hours’ notice to cancel a session or to reschedule, however the more notice the better to
ensure you an amended appointment. Cancellation of an appointment less than 24 hours’ notice or failure
to show for an appointment will still incur the full fee.
We will be there for you during sessions and have continuity with sessions, though there are times when
holidays, training and illness may occur. In this instance I will give you as much notice as possible, alternative
appointments will be offered. In the event of me cancelling appointments, these are not charged.
Confidentiality & Data Protection:
Confidentiality is a key element in counselling and having trust in one another in building a professional
therapeutic relationship. Conversations that take place within the counselling room remain confidential.
There are times when confidentiality may be broken and this is set out in the Data Protection provided with
this contract. We may be required to audio record some sessions for monitoring purposes. Prior request and
notice would be provided and the client has the right to object to this.
We must as do all counsellors, complete regular supervisions with a senior counsellor supervisor to discuss
matters and reflect on own practice. This is to ensure we are working legally and ethically with our clients.
These sessions are confidential and your details are not disclosed, therefore you, the client will not be
identified.
During and shortly after the session the counsellor may record written brief notes about the session. These
are confidential, these are not named and are referred to with a reference code, therefore will not be contain
your details to be identified.
Social Media:
We will not accept requests to join any social media, this is a professional relationship and should remain so
on both sides. This is not permitted as part of the Code of Ethics.
Outside contact:
There may be occasions when we are in the same vicinity as you, however please do not be upset by the fact
the we will not greet you or make your relationship known. This is specifically important when you are with
other people. This is purely to protect your confidentiality and privacy. If you make the initial contact, it will
only be then when we will respond in a ‘low key’ professional manner or if you have previously stated within
the contract.
Where social gatherings occur and you share the same interest group, we may withdraw services at short
notice to protect your confidentiality and privacy. You will be sign posted to another counsellor or services if
needed.
Endings:
You, the client, will know when you are progressing well and when you feel the sessions are drawing to an end.
You can raise this with your counsellor during sessions. We require at least one weeks’ notice. This allows time
for a discussion to take place and a mutual agreement and forward plan to be enabled. You are under no
obligation to continue once one weeks’ notice is given. On the other hand, if notice has been given and you
feel you later require more sessions, then do not hesitate to contact us again.
We are unable to work with you if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol; these are classed as ‘mindaltering’
substances, thus not allowing the session to be beneficial. The session would end and you would
remain responsible for the full session fee.
We operate a ‘zero tolerance’ of any abusive behaviour.
We reserve the right to withdraw services from you (the client) if we feel and evidence suggests you are not
abiding by the agreement, therefore services will be terminated at short notice and fees may still apply.
Complaints procedure:
We would hope that you are able to discuss any complaints about our services with us, having built up a
good professional relationship, however, if you feel this is not the case then please email G. Hyman at
4sts20@gmail.com or call 07540 866029 and the matter will be dealt with effectively.
(Last updated February 2021)New Paragraph
