THERAPEUTIC SPACE

PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT | ETHICS | BEST PRACTICE

Professional Commitment

  • to support your optimum well-being and vitality

  • to enable and strengthen your inner resources

  • to give my full attentive presence without judgment

  • to support change through challenging current patterns, and reflective enquiry

  • to help you to address the root cause of habits of unhealthy conditions whether they be physical, emotional, or mental

  • to honour your unique individuality with full respect and care

  • to provide a space that is confidential, reliable and contained

  • to meet you where you are in each moment

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Legal and Ethical Framework

 

I am a self employed individual in private practice, my qualifications, right to practice, business activity operate under UK law. You can find my GDPR statement here.

I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and abide by their code of practice and ethical framework. Further information relating to these guidelines can be found at www.bacp.co.uk

As a registered member of the BACP, I am subject to their complaints and sanctions.

 

Working Online

 

According to the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), working online includes all electronic and digital methods of communication such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or any other device. 

Online sessions are via Zoom, and there are some simple steps I take to ensure sessions are secure, which we will go through in the initial consultation.

  • It offers a wider choice of Therapists in the area of speciality and/or expertise you are looking for than your area local to work or home.

  • It may suit those who travel frequently as sessions can continue uninterrupted

  • People who live in remote areas, or who have mobility issues may not have easy access to Therapists

  • Online sessions can offer greater flexibility in appointments as there is no travel time to consider.

 

Confidentiality and Safety

 

All information disclosed within our sessions is confidential unless I think there is a risk of you harming yourself, someone else, or if I am called to give evidence in a court of law. In any of the above, I would let you know and hope we could discuss it beforehand. All records, forms and notes are kept in a locked filing system or as encrypted files.

It is a requirement of the BACP that I discuss aspects of our work with a qualified supervisor. However, Clients’ identities are not revealed.

I am legally bound to make disclosure to the police authorities if a client reveals that they are at serious risk of causing harm to others. In addition, if at any point during the counselling you were in need of emergency support, I may ask for your consent to contact your GP.

 

Safeguarding

To protect the space, it is important we both share the responsibility of safeguarding against intrusion of any kind at either end of the communication:

  • Physical intrusion: being overheard or someone being present without the knowledge and consent of the person at the other end of the communication

  • third party intrusion: adequate password protection and encryption of services being provided, regularly updating firewalls, virus protection or other applicable security systems and providing suitable information to service users to enable them to protect their end of the communications.

  • technological breakdown which prevents us meeting online, we would discuss how to rearrange the scheduled appointment.

Some points to consider when working online

  • It is imperative that your space is private, sound proof (ie no one can hear you), and that you will not be disturbed. For example, it is NOT ok for someone else to be in the same room while we are in session, even if they are wearing noise reducing headphones. Please see my GDPR and DPA statement specifically relating to online sessions.

  • It’s worth doing an audio and visual test run on all devices, and having headphones and a charger to hand.

  • Ensure your devise has enough charge or is plugged in

  • Are you familiar enough with the technology / apps used, and do you have appropriate devices with a back-up if necessary?

  • Is your internet / WIFI connection stable, secure, and do you check this regularly?

I offer online sessions using Zoom. There are some simple steps I take to ensure sessions are secure, and we will go through this in the initial consultation, including back-up options on the rare occasion the connection is consistently unstable.