Counselling/Psychotherapy Contract
This contract is between Alyson Marlor: Counsellor/Psychotherapist and
Client: ________________________________ Dated:________________
My name is Alyson Marlor and I am a counsellor registered with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) My core training is as a relational, integrative therapist and I use a variety of approaches (Person- Centred, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Internal Family Systems (IFS)) working flexibly with an emphasis on creating a warm and non-judgmental relationship where you can freely express and explore your thoughts and feelings.
I am bound by the BACP’s Code of Ethics. If you think I have acted outside this code the BACP website will provide information for you. My insurance includes professional indemnity and public liability.
Confidentiality
I will keep the content of the sessions confidential to you and me. As a registered member of the BACP, I am required to have regular supervision. I will discuss my work with my supervisor and peer supervision group using your first name but not use any other identifying details about you.
The exceptions to this confidentiality code are:
- If I believe you will cause serious physical harm to yourself or another person
- A breach of national security
For online counselling, I use Zoom which is fully encrypted and regularly updated. However, use of a third-party platform can contain an extra risk to confidentiality which is beyond my control.
Confidentiality and Pre-trial Therapy
If you are accessing therapy whilst an active report, investigation, or trial is taking place due to a crime you are the victim of, you are considered to be having ‘pre-trial therapy’. This is a term set by the Crown Prosecution Service (in England & Wales) and applies to any kind of crime. If this applies to you, please let me know as soon as possible as it may be the case that the notes I keep about our work may be used as part of the evidence in your case. In the first instance I will provide you with further information on what to expect and how we can work together whilst you are managing the criminal justice process. If we undertake pre-trial therapy, you will be asked to sign a pre-trial therapy contract to demonstrate that you understand how my services will be provided to you, and that you consent to proceed accordingly.
If you decide you want to report to the Police (or the Police are otherwise made aware that you have been the victim of a crime) after our work has ended, you can let them know that you have spoken about your experiences of being a victim / survivor of a crime with me. In such instances the Police / Crown Prosecution Service/Judge make a decision as to whether to issue a formal request, or court order, regarding any information I hold about the crime that has been reported.
Privacy Notice
I collect and use personal information so that I can respond to enquiries, provide therapy, keep appropriate clinical records, manage appointments and payments, meet legal and professional responsibilities, and practise safely and ethically.
My full privacy notice explains what information I collect, how I use it, where it is stored, how long I keep it, when information may need to be shared, your data protection rights, and how to raise a concern about how your information has been handled.
You can read the full privacy notice on my webite here: Privacy Notice
By entering into this therapy agreement, you confirm that you have had access to this privacy notice and understand that therapy is confidential, subject to the limits explained in this agreement and in the privacy notice.
Sessions and Fees
Sessions will be for 50 minutes every week/fortnight (unless agreed otherwise). The fee for each session will be £70. The fee is payable at each session by cash, card, phone app or BACS (sort code: 20-53-22 account: 60896640 Alyson Marlor)
We will leave the ending of therapy open so you can cease counselling when you feel ready. If you wish to cease counselling, you may do so at any time, but I ask that we meet for at least one final session. It is important to have a proper ending.
This contract means that you have agreed to pay the counselling fee. I reserve the right to pursue any outstanding amount. The counselling agreement will then automatically be terminated.
Cancellation
I require at least 24 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel a session. If less than 24 hours’ notice of cancellation is given by you (unless in an emergency) the full fee will be payable at the next session. In the event of my not being able to give you your session because of illness or emergency, I will give you as much notice as possible and offer you an alternative time. I will provide you with a list of my holiday dates in advance.
Ethical Considerations
I will not see you if you are under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances when this could render our session ineffective. If this were the case, I would have to end the session and you would be charged at the normal rate.
Digital Considerations
I do not “Google” my clients. It is, of course, expected that you will have “Googled” me in your search for a therapist. Please feel free to ask any questions your search has raised.
You are welcome to contact me by email, phone, text or WhatsApp. However, it is best to use these for non-confidential communications such as setting up appointment times. Your telephone number will be stored on my dedicated mobile phone under an anonymised code.
As a private practitioner, I am unable to offer an emergency service, even by phone. Should you experience an emergency, please contact the emergency services.
I do have an online presence, but I would prefer that our relationship remain as much as possible between us in the therapy room, therefore I will not knowingly follow, “friend”, or connect to any current or former clients on social media.
Clinical Will
I have arrangements in place so that clients can be contacted if I die or become seriously incapacitated.
- My appointed clinical executor is Professional Clinical Wills.
They have access to the minimum information needed to contact current clients stored on Microsoft Teams. After my death or incapacitation, they would collect and manage records appropriately. They are bound by confidentiality and would only access information if necessary.
Please read this contract carefully. If you wish to negotiate any changes, I will be happy to do so before you sign.
This agreement is fully understood and agreed to and is signed as it stands by:
Signed: ______________________________________________Client
Signed: Counsellor Alyson Marlor
29 Dunster Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1WB
Telephone/Text: 07462 046775
mailto:alyson@alysonmarlor.co.uk