INFORMATION SHEET – (INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING CONTRACT) – ONLINE COUNSELLING
Please take your time reading through this contract, as it forms the basis of how we agree to work together. If we decide to work together I will ask that you verbally confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms below.
working online with shirley baxter
I am a Registered Member MBACP (Accred) Counsellor with 18 years experience of working with adult Individuals, Couples, Trainee/Counselling Students, and EAP & Insurance Providers. I have been BACP Accredited since 2009 and have been in private practice as in Independent Counselling professional since 2009. I own Shirley Baxter Counselling Service www.shirleybaxtercounselling.co.uk , and am a Co-founder and Partner of Portsmouth Therapy Partnership http://portsmouth-therapy.co.uk/
I offer Daytime & Evening appointments both on line via Zoom video link and telephone as well as face to face sessions in two locations Portsmouth (Hampshire) and Westbourne (West Sussex). Sessions are either Short-Term or Open-Ended Sessions and take place on a weekly basis at the same time, (I am unable to offer flexible appointment times).
Although Zoom is my preferred method of working online I can also see you via Teams. Please note I do not use Skype or Whatsapp.
I am not able to offer you online counselling via e-mail, instant messaging or chat.
What Is Online Counselling?
Online counselling is a way of engaging with a Counsellor without having to visit a specific location, it therefore offers you the opportunity to speak with someone who may not be in your local area or country at a time which is convenient to you. No one online system is 100% secure. If you have any doubts about working online and your security please discuss them with me during our initial brief telephone conversation or during our Assessment session.
Working Together Online
In order to work effectively online together, my aim is to create a space for you that feels safe and secure and in essence replicates my counselling room, as if you had come to see me face to face. We therefore agree the following to ensure this happens.
* You are able to undertake the session in a private and confidential space where you will not be overheard or interrupted.
* You have a reasonably good WIFI or telephone connection or mobile phone signal.
* You may wish to consider switching off and removing Alexa or similar devices from the room in order to ensure your privacy is maintained.
* You may wish to have a drink with you to hand (water or a hot drink if you prefer) and some tissues, I would ask that you do not eat during our session.
* Once you have entered the Zoom Meeting Room, I will lock the room so no one else can enter.
* I will not record our sessions and I ask that you too, on your part, do not record the sessions.
how do we connect?
Telephone sessions – I will contact you at our appointment time, if you do not answer the first time, I will try again a further two times at five minute intervals. If you have not answered by the 3rd time I will await for you to call me. I will wait for the full length of our scheduled session.
Zoom Sessions – I will send you an invite on the morning of our session between 7.30am – 9.00am, please check your spam mail. If you have not received it please contact me so I can re-send it. At your appointment time, follow the link you will be asked to wait in the waiting room for me to let you in. If you have not joined after 5 minutes and you have not contacted me with a technical difficulty I will call/send you a message. The session will remain open for you to join for the full length of our scheduled session.
What Happens If We Experience A Technical Difficulty
Technical problems can arise. I allow a bit of time in between clients to cover the possibility of technical issues arising. In the event of a technical difficulty which cannot be resolved we may have to reschedule our appointment to a different day or time, I will endeavour to ensure we can continue the session if at all possible. We will discuss how to manage technical difficulties when we meet for the Assessment session.
Counselling Approach, Professional Affiliations, Supervision, Insurance and CPD
My work is informed by a variety of theoretical approaches for which I have undergone extensive training and Accreditation. For more information please refer to my website Qualifications & Training page. As a Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) I abide by the BACP Ethics for Counselling Professionals (BACP Ethical Framework). This includes following their guidelines in respect to my Continued Professional Development (CPD) and regular attendance of Supervision with an appropriately qualified Supervisor/s. I hold both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. For information on the BACP please visit www.bacp.co.uk
Commitment to Counselling – Session Frequency & Length
Counselling requires a considerable amount of commitment & responsibility on your part in order for it to be effective. My commitment & responsibility to you is to set aside a weekly time & space which will allow us to engage effectively in the therapeutic process. If you feel unsure about making this commitment, have any concerns or have any doubts as to whether counselling is for you please discuss them with me. Sessions take place weekly in the agreed format and start and end at the same time on the same day each week. All sessions (including the Assessment Session) last for 50 minutes.
Assessment
The Assessment process is an important part of the work and enables us to ascertain if counselling is the best form of support for you. The Assessment session is an opportunity to see if it is appropriate for us to work together and proceed with the counselling. You will be able to ask me questions about the counselling process, as well as telling me what brings you to counselling, what you hope to get from the counselling and how you hope to feel at the end of our work. I in turn will need to ask you some practical questions and also explain how I work and how best we can work together based on the issues presented. We will also think about timescales. When we’ve completed this phase we can either continue with the counselling or stop. The Assessment is also an opportunity for you to see if you feel comfortable working with me as the relationship between the client and the counsellor is a key part of the work we will be doing. This initial work may take more than 1 session, but we should have a good idea by the 2nd or 3rd session. If we decide not to proceed, or if I believe it more beneficial for you if you seek counselling with a specialised organisation or person I will be happy to help direct you to elsewhere or sign post you to a counselling directory as appropriate.
Confidentiality
Information disclosed during our sessions is treated confidentially. Legally I may have no choice but to report information you disclose to me (eg child protection issues, drug trafficking, disclosure or knowledge of criminal activity, threats of terrorism, instruction by Court to disclose information). Should the need arise to inform an external agency (eg GP) I would endeavour to discuss this with you during our sessions such that prior consent is obtained on your part. Although extremely unlikely an occasion may occur when I feel it is appropriate to break our confidentiality, I reserve the right to do so without consent. This might include the possibility of a very serious risk of harm or violence to yourself or others; or a risk of suicide.
Social Media
I do not accept Social Networking friend requests as this would compromise the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. However you are free to follow my Professional Facebook Page and Business Twitter Profile.
Notes
In order to support me and in line with the requirements of my Insurance and Professional body, I keep written confidential notes under secure conditions which remain my property and responsibility and will be securely and confidentially destroyed after 7 years. Your information will not be shared, with 3rd parities, subject to the limitations detailed in the Confidentiality section. You may access your notes at any time you wish and request that any corrections be made. If you are seeing me through your EAP or Insurance Company, I may be required to provide notes in accordance with their requirements, these remain their property and in these circumstances request for notes must be made through the EAP or Insurance Company. You have the right to withdraw your consent for such records to be kept such request must be made in writing and be signed.
Electronic Data
There may be occasions where I need to keep electronic data on my PC, or Mobile Phone, this may include reports for EAPs and Insurance Companies (see above); e-mail correspondence regarding appointments, your telephone and e-mail contact details and telephone details of a Next of Kin where you have agreed to supply one. This may also include useful information you have agreed I can send you as part of our work together, scans of work we have done together via the screen share option on Zoom or over the telephone, this is used for our ongoing reference during our work together. This information will be deleted on completion of our Counselling arrangement. I do not pass on these details to 3rd parties for marketing purposes. I am the registered Data Controller with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) for Shirley Baxter Counselling https://ico.org.uk/ .
Cancelled Sessions & Missed Sessions (DNA – Did Not Attend)
I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you cancel with 24 hours notice you will not be charged for the cancelled session. The full fee is charged for sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice and is payable the next time you attend your session. If possible I will offer you the opportunity to reschedule a session prior to your next planned session. If you fail to turn up for a session (DNA) without giving notice you will be charged the full rate, payable at your next session.
Late Starting Sessions
I am not able to extend sessions if you arrive late, the session will end at the designated time and the full fee is charged.
Halting Sessions
If I feel you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and incapable of functioning in a manner that is considered safe I will halt the session, the full fee is charged.
Breaks & Endings
* Breaks & Endings (whether planned or unexpected) need to be carefully managed within the counselling relationship and within the therapeutic work we undertake together.
* I will give you as much notice as possible of my planned holidays or training and I ask that you give me sufficient notice of any planned breaks you have.
* If you are thinking of ending I would ask you to talk about this in the session, it is important that we allow sufficient time to work towards an effective and satisfactory ending which enables us to honour the relationship and the work we have undertaken together and ensures we summarise and review the work effectively.
Contact Between Sessions
Contact between sessions will be limited to practical arrangements only. I am unable to enter into telephone, text or e-mail support in between sessions or during periods of annual leave.
Fees & Payment
* All sessions (Including the Assessment) are charged at £60.00 and are payable prior to the start of the session.
* Payment is via BACS – Bank Transfer – My account details will be supplied under separate cover when I send you an e-mail confirming our first session.
* Fees are subject to annual review
