This form provides information about myself as well as more about the counselling service that I provide.

I recommend to read thoroughly first and once happy to continue, that you answer and fill in all the required details then click the submit button.

Thank you for showing interest in myself, my practice and Empowered Minds in general.

About me:

I work in private practice offering both face to face (F2F) and online counselling. Working with clients from 18 years old up to and beyond retirement, I have the fullest commitment to my service and welcome clients from all backgrounds offering a supportive, confidential, secure, non-discriminatory and non-judgemental space.

I provide counselling either as face to face here in my private practice (circumstances allowing) based in my home, I also provide online counselling and currently work with Spill in offering Single Session therapy and courses of therapy to employees.

I am an integrative counsellor which means I can use more than one counselling theory or modality, I provide help by using a combination of Person Centred Therapy and cognitive behavioral protocols to better serve and help my clients achieve their desired resolution.

I ensure to provide opportunities that endeavour to create a comfortable space to us to fully understand and gain greater insight into your situation, this process can foster acceptance, confidence and growth which can lead to a positive change in your life. 

A counsellor is not recommended nor qualified to offer advice, I use questions which may challenge from time to time in the pursuit of helping my clients adopt a different perspective that is more acceptable and desired than they may be facing.

There may be occasions where I ask questions to clarify my understanding of what has been spoken and/or to clarify a misunderstanding in our communication, the client always has autonomy spend some time to reflect upon these questions or ignore these questions.

I am accredited to the National Counselling Society (NCS) and qualified to work as a psychotherapeutic counsellor, working within the National Counselling Society’s Ethical Framework for Counsellors, and their Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy, if for any reason there might be cause for complaint, it is requested that you can speak to me directly first however complaints or further information relating to therapy can be found at: www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org.

I am based in the UK and as such I work under UK British Law, all online therapy is conducted under the understanding that UK counselling and therapeutic processes are conducted under British jurisdiction via UK legal legislation.

Not much more but please give yourself plenty of time to read through the this form.

What is Counselling? 

Nowadays people are more aware of what counselling is, more importantly how it is not only for those times when life can be difficult, how it can provide an opportunity to explore themselves and any situation, positive or negative situations, in a confidential and supportive environment.

This can often include expressing feelings that are painful or hard to speak about - which many of us experience at different times in our lives - it is during these most difficult times that people struggle to stay positive and able to cope with everyday life.

Empowered Minds counselling gives you the opportunity to access support at the right time - the most convenient to you.

Empowered-minds Counselling

Single session therapy (£60, €69, $76*)

A focused and determined investigation into an immediate and singular dilemma, issue or decision affecting the clients current situation, # ideal for those who are facing a situation that wouldn't require extended sessions. (transcripts can be provided, this add-on requires the session being recorded and incorporates additional costs).

Ongoing treatment (Midweek days from 10am-5pm £45, €52, $57, evenings from 6pm-9.00pm £65*, and Weekends £60*)

Most people are more familiar with this form of counselling structure, a client sees a counsellor/psychotherapist for regular scheduled sessions which are beneficially set at scheduled mutually agreed periods continuing until notice of ending has been agreed. (sessions not cancelled or rescheduled with sufficient notice period are forfeited but still be liable for payment)

Block treatment  (10 sessions any day/working hours £400, €462 $505*)

Block treatments are ideal for people who feel that what they bring may be more in-depth requiring sufficiently more sessions. The timing and frequency of the sessions would be agreed in advance this is especially helpful to clients who appreciate they may have a set timeframe, also very beneficial for those who are only free at weekends or evenings. Non-refundable if therapy ends before all sessions are used, further blocks can be purchased, block treatment must be paid prior to treatment starting, (sessions not cancelled or rescheduled with sufficient notice period may be forfeited).

 * these prices are written in GBP other currencies will be converted at current Bank of England currency converter      #Further details can be requested

Session rates and payment options.

All rates are presented in GBP£, alternative currencies can be accommodated and will be converted using an upto date currency converter.

I offer two options for payment Bacs transfer is easiest and most preferred method of payment, alternatively there is a PayPal account.

What issues can counselling help with? 

Counselling is known to help with a wide range of issues include but not exclusively abuse, trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, eating difficulties, loneliness, relationship problems, bereavement, self-esteem, sexual orientation, sexual abuse, discrimination, pet bereavement and many more, the range of issues that counselling can help is vast. 

Single Session Therapy can also help with the above but is best used for less intense situations, dilemmas or decisions. 

I regularly attend and use Professional Continuous Development to ensure that my skillset is updated and valid, however it is understandable that my counselling skills are not always the most suitable or beneficial support for you, should we feel this is the case I will make every effort to assist you in suggesting a more suitable and alternative source of support. 

 

How does Empowered-minds service work? 

Attending weekly sessions has been scientifically proven to be the most beneficial in therapy however, I believe that every client has total autonomy over their own lives and therapy, and therefore can decide whether to have sessions more convenient to their lives or schedule which may mean sessions are less often than weekly. 

An agreed day and time will be arranged convenient to both therapist and client, this would establish our regular appointment schedule. Sessions are held F2F at Empowered Minds Therapy centre or online via video link. 

Payment for face to face counselling can be either via bank transfer ahead of the session or cash can be brought to therapy on the day of the session (please provide advance warning if cash will be the form of payment).

Online sessions, payment is preferred at least 24hrs before the arranged start of session, in the unlikely event of a complete technical breakdown (telephone line, internet) we will reconnect at the earliest time to re-arrange the scheduled unsuccessful appointment.

Confidentiality and Security: 

Empowered-minds is a secure, confidential and safe environment in which a client can fully explore their situation, what is said within the therapy room stays within the therapy room with the following caveats:-

I am legally bound to make disclosure to the relevant authorities if a client reveals that they are aware of, or intend to cause serious harm to themselves or to others, also if any illegal activities are disclosed to me specifically acts of terrorism, money laundering and drug or people smuggling. 

In addition, if at any point during the therapy I feel the client is in need of emergency support, I may ask for consent to contact their GP, and/or recommend alternative avenues of support additional to or alternate to our therapy. 

Once therapy has ended, any session notes or copies of our exchanges will be stored securely offline for a minimum of 5 years and then destroyed by confidentially shredding after this time. 

The content of your Emails or SMS will be handled in the same strict confidential manner as is laid out in my terms and conditions. For online-only clients I recommend that we use an encrypted email server for sending and receiving regular email exchanges, this helps to ensure that our communications will not be intercepted by a third party. A free and secure email provider for this is www.hushmail.com, (I am happy to provide help and advise about setting up a free account).

If you choose email counselling, it is advisable to exchange emails using this service, or agree to use password protected document exchanges via your email provider, I can provide further details of the arrangements after you have completed and returned this agreement. 

All client material is treated in complete confidence and is removed from my computer at the end of our work together. Electronic records are stored on a password protected memory stick and kept in a locked filing cabinet. No identifying names or material is retained on these records as a client ID number is used to replace such information.

I work with an online EAP called Spill, both me and Spill are independently obliged to hold session notes. I am therefore joint controllers with Spill for this purpose. Spill’s Privacy Notice can be found at spill.chat.
 

 

 

Guidelines for Emergency Contact: 

Empowered-minds cannot provide an emergency service for clients, I can discuss with you the appropriate emergency support that you could access while in therapy. 

If you find yourself struggling, maybe in a major crisis and are considering serious self-harm it is vital to get immediate help. The options include contacting your GP, or your nearest accident and emergency service (A & E) dialling 111 to access the NHS mental health team. 

For UK based clients I recommend the Samaritans offer a free and confidential service on 116 123, www.samaritans.org alternatively email jo@samaritans.org. Plenty of others https://www.bigwhitewall.com/, https://www.kooth.com/, www.themix.org.uk.  Shout - 85258 www.giveusashout.org, Mind - 020 8519 2122 https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk, CALM - 0800 58 58 58 www.thecalmzone.net, Hub of Hope hubofhope.co.uk, Anxiety UK - 08444 775 774 www.anxietyuk.org.uk, Anxiety Care - 07552 877219 anxietycare.org.uk, Assist Trauma Care - 01788 560800 assisttraumacare.org.uk, Supportline - 01708 765200 www.supportline.org.uk, British Legion - 0808 802 8080 www.britishlegion.org.uk, Rethink - 0808 801 0525 rethink.org, Combat Stress - 0800 138 1619 combatstress.org.uk, The Mix - 0808 808 499, Papyrus - 0800 068 4141 www.papyrus-uk.org, SSAFA Armed Forces - 0800 260 6767 www.ssafa.org.uk, Mindout mindout.org.uk, lgbthero www.lgbthero.org.uk, Mermaids - 0808 801 0400 mermaidsuk.org.uk, Woman’s Aid  www.womensaid.org.uk, NHS (medical assistance) - 111 or 999 www.111.nhs.uk, Alternatively obtain an emergency appointment from your own GP or go straight to A&E.

Small Print: 

Empowered-minds therapy dog ‘Scruff’ is usually present within the room, he is a Yorkshire terrier type dog who usually lies in his bed while the session is in progress, please inform me if this may cause you any worries or if you are allergic to household pets (dogs in particular)

This agreement shall be construed and governed in all respects in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and any dispute or differences in relation to this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. 

If you have any questions regarding the content of the agreement, or would like further information, please contact me at: info@empowered-minds.co.uk or phone or text me on 07732 407261, messages can be left securely and confidentially.

Empowered minds complies with current GDPR law.

Gary Wilson is an Accredited Psychotherapist with the National Counselling Society (NCPS)

Complaints;


Empowered-Minds encourages you to have an open discussion about any concerns you may have, however you are welcome to take all unresolved concerns to the accredited body 19 Grafton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1QT. TEL: 01903 200666/01903 236857. www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/have-a-concern/complaining-about-a-therapist.

By Clicking the submit button you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept this agreement.