Confidentiality

Heart and Mind aims to offer a confidential counselling service.

Confidentiality may need to be broken in the following circumstances:

1. Where we would be liable to civil or criminal court procedure if information was not disclosed.

2. Where we believe the client or third party is in serious danger.

3. In line with professional requirements, we may discuss counselling sessions with a supervisor. In this process the identity of the client is not revealed.

4. With your express permission (or in circumstances 1 or 2) we may liase with, or write to, a third party, e.g. your G.P.

Record Keeping and Data Protection

We may keep notes on you and our sessions. Notes record background information and issues worked on in the sessions. Notes are kept securely and are filed anonymously. They are kept for five years and then shredded.

You have a right of access to notes kept about you. If notes contain references to other individuals these may not be available to you, as protection is also granted to third parties. It will be important not just to show the notes to you, but to discuss the contents of the notes with you. Some notes are in shorthand and may need explaining. If you wish to see your notes, please give two week's notice.

You will be asked for the name and address of your G.P. If you are currently taking medication, or receiving some form of medical treatment, we may inform your G.P. that you have started therapy. If you have had recent psychiatric treatment, we will contact your psychiatrist. You will be asked to sign a form of consent. We abide by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics and Practice.

Sessions

Each session lasts 50 minutes. The length of the therapy contract and the fee will be arranged at the initial session. This is open to review. Fees are reviewed each January.

As we do not have a waiting room, please arrive at the time of your appointment, as we may be unable to answer the door before that time.

Missed Sessions

If an appointment is cancelled or missed, an alternative time for the same week will be agreed where possible. If this is not possible, the full fee will be charged for that session. No fee will need to be paid for holidays and for other reasons by negotiation, if advance notice of two weeks is given.

I have read the above notes and agree to abide by them

Name:

Signed…………………………………………………   Date……………………………………