This form provides information about myself and the services that I offer.

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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; as such I work within the National Counselling Society’s Ethical Framework for Counsellors, and also their Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy, information relating to both of these documents can be found at: www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org.

I am based in the UK and so 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.

What is Counselling? 

Nowadays people are more aware of what counselling is and how it can provide an opportunity to explore themselves and their situation in a confidential and supportive environment. This may 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. Counselling gives you the opportunity to access support at the right time - convenient to you. 

How can I access counselling?

Traditionally counselling happened only as a face to face meeting between therapist and client and is still the most active form of therapy accessed, however, nowadays there are more options available like online counselling via SMS text, email, telephone call or video calling. Visually seeing the client is preferable using any form of video link, like Zoom or whereby. 

 

I am not able to provide counselling to any person who is under the age of 18, if this applies to you I can help with information about and/or referral to other agencies providing face to face or online counselling services that are specifically directed to a younger age group. 

Empowered-minds Counselling can be accessed either as:- 

Single session therapy £60*

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 to assess and rectify. (transcripts can be provided, this addition involves the session being recorded with additional costs).

Ongoing treatment (Midweek days from 10am-5pm £45*, 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 weekly meetings and are continuous until notice of ending. (sessions not cancelled or rescheduled with sufficient notice period may be forfeited and will still be liable for payment)

Block treatment  (10 sessions any day/time £400)

Block treatments are ideal for people who know they may require some time to work through their situation and appreciate a set timeframe with which to do that, non-refundable if therapy stops before all sessions are used and also further blocks can be purchased, block treatment must be paid for prior to treatment being started (sessions not cancelled or rescheduled with sufficient notice period may be forfeited).

 * price per session        #Further details can be requested

What issues can counselling help with? 

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

Should I believe that my counselling skills are not the most suitable means of support for you, I will make every effort to assist you in suggesting a suitable alternative source of support. 

How does Empowered-minds service work? 

An agreed day and time will be arranged convenient to both therapist and client, this would establish our regular weekly appointment schedule. Different online options demand separate procedures, alternatively the agreed time when connection can be made via video or telephone call, attending weekly sessions has been proven to be the most beneficial but the client has autonomy and so can decide to have sessions more or less frequently. 

Payment for face to face counselling can be either via bank transfer ahead of the session day and time or brought to therapy on the day of the session.

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 can re-arrange the scheduled 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.

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 or email jo@samaritans.org. Plenty others including but not limited to https://www.bigwhitewall.com/, https://www.kooth.com/, www.themix.org.uk.

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)

Please take plenty of time to read through the this form.

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.

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