I treat all information disclosed to me as confidential. Any information my supervisor receives is also treated as confidential, protecting any personally identifiable and sensitive information.
Before coming for your first session I will ask for some basic details; name, date of birth, address, phone number and GP details and brief details of what is bringing you to therapy.
Should I feel you might either be a danger to yourself or others, I may be obliged to inform an outside agency, eg. a GP, but would try, whenever possible, to discuss this with you first.
I keep brief written notes of a summary of each session to aid my memory and for supervision purposes. These are kept in a locked file at my home. Notes are kept for 7 years after the last session and are then securely shredded. I am the Data Controller for information stored and am registered with the ICO. There are some rare circumstances in which data may be shared with other agencies (e.g. immediate risk of substantial harm to self or others; or under a legal requirement, e.g. terrorism, drug money laundering; or via court order for disclosure)
It is important to identify any past events that laid the foundations of your present concern (the touchstone memory).
We can start from your current issue/symptoms and “floatback” to all earlier memories associated with the same thoughts, feelings and body sensations experienced in the current issues/symptoms until you reach the “touchstone target” or first memory.
The “touchstone” is important because this is when your brain’s natural ability for clearing disturbing information became blocked. Future incidents triggering thoughts, feelings, emotions and body sensations associated with information stored in the “touchstone” became matched with, read, and stored in the same memory channels as the “touchstone memory”.
Because information in the “touchstone memory” is blocked from adaptive processing and stored dysfunctionally, it is separated from the whole brain’s natural ability to heal.
Since the “touchstone memory” becomes the “root” or template for reading the meaning of future events we target the touchstone memory first. Often, as the “touchstone” is processed other memories in the same channel may begin processing as well. After the “touchstone” and all earlier memories identified in the floatback are processed we then target your current issue or symptom.
Supervision is a form of consultative support for counsellors to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in counselling and qualified in counselling supervision. The task is to work together to ensure and develop the efficacy of the counsellor/client relationship. Any information my supervisor receives is treated as confidential protecting any personally identifiable and sensitive information.
Appointments are usually weekly, on the same day and at the same time each week unless there are particular problems with this eg shift work. Sessions last for one hour.
I offer all prospective clients an assessment session (the same fee is charged as for an ongoing session).This provides both of us with the opportunity of deciding if we wish to work together. We could then agree on an initial number of sessions and at the end of this period revieaw the situation again or you may prefer to work 'open ended'.
If it is decided not to continue working together I will attempt to provide, wherever possible, alternative counsellors or agencies to contact.
The number of sessions depends on what you are bringing to counselling. Some people find that 6 sessions are enough while others may prefer to look at things in more depth or have on going support and have longer term counselling. If you decide you wish to finish counselling I appreciate you telling me so we can have at least one session to end our work.
My fee for sessions (both ongoing and assessment sessions) is £65 per one hour appointment.
Payment by an individual is made by bank transfer and details of this will be emailed to you on booking. Payment should reach my bank account before the session so should be made the day before. The session cannot take place if payment is not made.
If you would like to make an appointment or ask me any questions, please contact me either by e-mail or by telephone on 07976 209786. There is a confidential voicemail if I am unable to take your call. All messages will be responded to as soon as I can but please bear in mind that I may be with clients so cannot always reply immediately. Please note that I do not work at weekends however you are welcome to leave me a message or text and I will reply on the next working day.
The first 'assessment' appointment is a chance for us to meet and discuss the issues that you want to bring and what you would like to get out of coming for counselling and I will explain a bit about how I work. I will want to get an outline of your background and history and your current situation and symptoms.
I may spend some time working with you to create some resources for you before we begin working on your concerns. I will listen and ask some questions to help you talk, I don't just sit in silence.
It is important for us to both feel comfortable working together.
If we decide to go ahead with further appointments, we would agree a time to meet, usually weekly.
There is no obligation to continue. Sometimes a person may decide that counselling is not for them or it may be more appropriate for you to contact another organisation or counsellor.
In the course of hearing more about your concerns it may emerge that you need a therapist with a different skillset to mine and I may need to suggest you see an alternative therapist in this case. It may be that this only becomes apparent after a few sessions together as it can take more than one session to gain a full sense a person's history..
Some people find it helpful to have an initial appointment with more than one counsellor and then make a decision as to who they feel most comfortable with.
I am offering sessions both face to face (while COVID regulations allow) and online sessions via Zoom . Online sessions can be as effective as meeting face to face, so long as you follow the sensible tips below. My goal is to create a safe and contained space to work with you.
TIPS
Please make sure that:
You may also find it helpful to read these web pages published by BACP on 'Finding a Therapist'.
I offer daytime appointments in Muswell Hill, subject to availability on Mondays and Wednesdays
You can get the best results by:
Good counselling should feel safe and enable you to talk about things that you may not feel able to talk about to family and friends.
Coming for counselling is a commitment and regularity is important for productive therapeutic work. The standard format of weekly sessions helps you make gradual and steady progress.
When making a counselling contract with someone, I set aside that time for them on a regular basis and can't offer someone else that slot as they need their own ongoing appointment time.
There may be some occasions when I can offer an alternative appointment time but I can't guarantee this due to other working commitments.
For this reason, I do ask for a weekly commitment to attending for counselling and reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee if less than 24 hours notice is given (by friday for a monday appointment).
I may be able to offer an online or phone appointment instead if you could do this in place of attending a face to face session.
If you are unhappy about anything arising from your counselling please talk to me first or email me. If we cannot resolve the matter you have the right to complain to my professional body BACP.
You can also click here to go to a feedback form
General Data Protection Regulation
Under the latest data privacy laws you have the right:
You can click on the link to read my Privacy Notice
To leave feedback about your experience of counselling please click here to go to a feedback form
This can be anonymous but if you want a response just leave your name and email address
I am currently offering sessions in person and via by video link. There are several ways of doing this so I propose an initial phone call to ascertain what methods you might be familiar with already.
Video apps that can be used include:
• Zoom https://zoom.us/
• Skype https://web.skype.com/
• WhatsApp https://web.whatsapp.com/
Depending on your device it may be better to use headphones whilst using a video link as this will give better sound quality.
Sessions would be at the same fee and I will be working from my counselling room to ensure privacy.
I would also ask you to honour my 24-hour cancellation policy.
You may want to consider:
• whether it will be possible for you to have a place of privacy in your own home to receive a call or video session. Perhaps other members of the household could take their exercise outside while you have your session.
• Having a comfortable place to sit
• Giving yourself space before and after a session to transition back to your day
• Having a drink and tissues to hand
• Whether to use a laptop or phone screen for a video session; it’s helpful to be able to place the camera for your device at eye level a comfortable distance away so I can see your upper body.
If I become ill myself I will, if possible, let you know in advance of a booked session.
Regarding confidentiality, I treat all information disclosed to me as confidential within the confines of the law and consistent with the codes of the BACP. This clause may become relevant with in person sessions; if I contract the virus and am obliged to inform the NHS of people I've been in contact with.
BACP guidance for Counsellors regarding COVID-19 states that this would be a necessary breach of confidentiality, for reasons of public interest in the area of public health. In this case, I may need to share your name and contact details but not the context in which I know you. However, you may be contacted by the NHS who will provide support and testing.
This is a difficult and anxiety provoking time for everyone. You may like to read this advice about coping with anxiety: https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2020/28-february-coronavirus-anxiety-how-to-cope-if-you-re-feeling-anxious-about-the-outbreak/
Both in person sessions and online sessions are being offered. I will discuss preference regarding mask wearing on an individual basis and am happy to wear a mask if this is preferred.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (CHECK SYMPTOMS), or have been asked to self isolate, then you must not attend your face to face appointment. Please notify Jenny prior to your appointment and you will be offered an online or telephone appointment instead or the opportunity to reschedule if needed.
If you have come into contact with a person with COVID or COVID symptoms please inform me.
COVID-19 implications for confidentiality
Usually, I treat all information disclosed to me as confidential within the confines of the law and consistent with the codes of the BACP. This clause may become relevant if I contract the virus and am obliged to inform the NHS of people I've been in contact with.
BACP guidance for Counsellors regarding COVID-19 states that this would be a necessary breach of confidentiality, for reasons of public interest in the area of public health. In this case, I may need to share your name and contact details but not the context in which I know you. However, you may be contacted by the NHS who will provide support and testing.
If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, however, I may require that we meet online (Zoom or Skype) or by phone for everyone’s well-being. If you have concerns about meeting online, we will talk about it first and try to address any issues. Alternatively’ we can pause sessions.
If you decide at any time that you would feel safer staying with or returning to, online services, I will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate.
Risks of Opting for In-Person Services
You understand that by coming to the counselling room, you are assuming the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (or other public health risks). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation.
Alternative options for therapy sessions:
I am happy to offer online or telephone therapy sessions to anyone who requests it regardless of whether you have symptoms.
Please contact me in advance if you wish to arrange an online session and I will send you a link to access this service. I prefer to use a secure GDPR-compliant online platform called Zoom (https://zoom.us/).
Arrangements in the Therapy room
• If preferred by the client I will wear a mask in session.
• Chair placing will be further apart than usual in order to maintain social distancing. This will be approximately 2 metres apart
• Physical contact is not permitted
• Hand sanitiser will be available to use in the porch on arrival and available in the counselling room
• The environment will be thoroughly cleaned in between clients with particular attention to touched surfaces, banister rails, door handles and light switches.
• Seat covers will be changed between clients
• Bins will be emptied between clients
• An electric air purifier will be in use in the room continuously
• The room will be ventilated in between sessions
• Please bring your own water or warm drink if needed
• EMDR equipment (hand held buzzers) will be wiped down with alcohol before and after use
• Common areas and bathroom will be cleaned on a regular basis.
What you should do if you are symptomatic:
If you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, however mild, such as a new persistent cough or fever, you should not attend your upcoming appointment.
Please contact me via E-mail, text or leave a voicemail on - 07097209786
In these circumstances, we can either suspend sessions until you are ready to resume or sessions can continue online.
What I will do if I or anyone in the setting where I practice is symptomatic:
In these circumstances, I will contact you without delay via telephone or E-mail. If you have recently changed your e-mail or telephone number, please notify me of any changes. If it is possible to offer an online session I will do so. Alternatively, we will reschedule the appointment.
You will be informed following the period of self-isolation when the practice re-opens.
Review Process:
The above procedure will be reviewed on a regular basis and may change at short notice based on government guidelines. I will continue to keep you updated on any further actions regarding this matter.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) is a membership organisation and a registered charity that sets standards for therapeutic practice and provides information for therapists, clients of therapy, and the general public. It has a register of counsellors and psychotherapists who are members.
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