It is important that you know what to expect from Jeff and what is required from you in your counselling sessions.  The information set out on this page below explains how Jeff will work with you and with third parties.  By attending your appointment with Jeff, you agree to the information and requirements set out on this page.  

Client Requirements

Mobile phones

To allow you to get the most out of your counselling session, please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off throughout.

Unauthorised electronic recording

To ensure your counselling sessions are effect and safe work, it is important that privacy is respected.  Please do not attempt to record your counselling sessions using any device or app. If it becomes apparent that recordings have been made covertly, Jeff reserves the right to discontinue providing any further services immediately, to seek legal advice, and to take further action if required.

Failure to attend and Cancellation policy

If you have booked an appointment, but fail to cancel or attend it, Jeff reserves the right to charge for the full value of the missed appointment.

If you book an appointment and seek to cancel it with less than 24 hours’ notice, Jeff reserves the right to charge 50% of the value of the appointment. 

If you cancel the appointment with more than 24 hours’ notice, then no charge will be applied.

Confidentiality

During counselling sessions, you will naturally share information with Jeff and he will hold that information in confidence, subject to the exceptions below.  

Sharing information

Jeff will not normally give your names or any other information about you to anyone else. However, there are two exceptions:

1. it is normal for Jeff to discuss clients with a supervisor, as this ensures you are receiving the best service, and that Jeff maintains his good working practice. However, any information discussed with the supervisor is anonymised to protect your identity;

2. in exceptional cases, Jeff may be required for ethical or legal reasons to talk to relevant authorities. For example, if Jeff became concerned that a child was at serious risk of harm, or if there is the potential of a miscarriage of justice, Jeff may have to refer the matter to the relevant authority. Where possible, Jeff will discuss any such proposed action with you prior to doing so, unless he considers that this would increase the level of risk to you or someone else.

Joint Sessions

If you would like to attend counselling sessions with another person (for example, a partner or family member), Jeff is happy to offer joint sessions to see you together, as well as separately in individual sessions. If you do have individual sessions, what is said in those sessions will be confidential and only shared with the other person with your consent.

Young Person’s Sessions

Particular care will be required with individual session with young people and how confidential information will be shared may need to be agreed in advance or at the outset of such sessions.          

Authorised Electronic Recording

Occasionally, for training purposes, Jeff may be required to record a counselling session with you. However, he will only do so with your prior written consent. A written consent form will be provided to you before the session and will specify for what purpose the recording is being used and when the recording will be destroyed.

Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse and Coercive Control

These issues can cause clients to seek counselling, or they can become recognised during the counselling sessions. In either case, they can provoke powerful emotions. If Jeff considers that your situation, or the situation of someone else to be unsafe, he may be required to stop holding any joint sessions between the relevant parties and suggest that individuals are helped separately either by Jeff, or by another agency.

Data Protection

Jeff is bound by the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (“GDPR”). This ensures that the information Jeff holds about you is kept to a minimum and is kept secure. This information will be destroyed after 7 years.

Some information you provide may be extremely personal and sensitive and would only be revealed to others with your explicit consent (subject to the exceptions set out above in the section called “Sharing Information”).

Further information about data protection is available at The Information Commissioners Officer at; https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/

Code of Ethics and Practice

Jeff is a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and is required to comply with their codes of ethics and practice. More information is available at: https://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/about-us/code-of-ethics/

Reports and Client Records

Progress Reports

Occasionally, Jeff is asked by clients or third parties (such as social workers, solicitors, or the courts) to write reports or express an opinion on the progress made in counselling. Jeff is generally not able to do so because of his duty of confidentiality and because Jeff does not specialise in diagnosis or assessments.  Additionally, any notes Jeff takes about sessions are brief and are not a detailed account of who said what. They are used only to support continuity from session to session. However, in some circumstances, Jeff may provide the dates and number of sessions attended on receipt of written consent from the relevant client or clients.

Access to Client Records

Jeff reserves the right to refuse any requests by clients, their solicitors, the police, and the courts for access to Jeff’s client records. These are not suitable as evidence in legal proceedings and it is vital that Jeff’s duty of confidentiality is protected.

Feedback or Complaints

Counselling can by its nature provoke strong emotions and they can often be distressing. However, if you are experiencing issues in the counselling process that you are not comfortable with or are unhappy with the service you have received and you would like to make a complaint, please let Jeff know as soon as possible so your concerns can be addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible. You can do so in writing, if you find it difficult to do so in person or over video. Jeff will always treat these issues seriously and will take them to supervision for an additional perspective.

Hopefully, it will be possible to resolve the issue together in a satisfactory manner. However, if you wish to make a formal complaint, you can also contact the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society by the following:

Professional Conduct Officer on 01903 213683 during normal working hours or email conduct@nationalcounsellingsociety.org .

Alternatively, you can post a letter to: Professional Conduct Department, National Counselling Society, 19 Grafton Road, Worthing, BN11 1QT