This agreement is between you, the client, and Northern Voice Counselling (“we”, “us”, “our”). Your counselling

sessions will be delivered by the counsellor named above, who is referred to as “I”, “me” or “your counsellor”

throughout the rest of this agreement.

Aim of Counselling

The aim of counselling is to provide you, the client, with a confidential opportunity to explore personal and relational issues in safety. My role is to help you through this process without judgement or telling you what to do. I may on occasion give information or offer suggestions. During counselling, we set goals agreed upon between the client and the counsellor. The client agrees to work towards the agreed goals. If at any time I feel I can no longer help you, I will offer to refer you to someone who can.

Description of Therapy

Client-centred therapy.

Age of Client

This service is currently available to adults (aged 18 and over) only. If Northern Voice Counselling begins offering a service for young people in the future, this will be covered by a separate agreement and safeguarding arrangements suitable for working with young people.
 

Mode of Delivery

Sessions may take place in person, online (by video call) or by telephone, as agreed between you and your counsellor. If you are attending online or by telephone, please try to be in a private, quiet space where you can talk freely without being overheard or interrupted.

Occasionally, technical problems such as a poor internet connection or a dropped call may disrupt an online or

telephone session. If this happens, your counsellor will attempt to reconnect using an agreed back-up method (for example, a phone call). If the session cannot be completed as a result, it will either be rearranged or the remaining time made up wherever possible.

Confidentiality

To ensure transparency when exploring the concerns that have brought you to counselling, I maintain confidentiality in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in accordance with its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I keep brief client records relating to our work together, which are stored securely and managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Further information about how your personal information is collected, stored and used can be found in our Privacy Notice. Information about data protection is also available from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.
 

I receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions to support safe, ethical and effective practice. My supervisor is also bound by the same standards of confidentiality and data protection.

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Exceptions to Confidentiality

Northern Voice Counselling must pass on information to the relevant authorities in cases where human safety is concerned, including the following:

•  If you threaten harm to yourself or to another person

•  If I believe a child or a vulnerable adult is at risk of harm or abuse

•  If the courts instruct me to give information

• If you disclose information relating to a planned act of terrorism or another serious criminal offence where I have a legal obligation to report it

• If I feel that either you or someone else is in danger or at risk of harm, I would first seek to discuss with you my decision to breach confidentiality. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve your GP, the individual in danger, a social worker and/or the police. This is rare and only used when immediate safety is at risk, however, I retain the right to break confidentiality without prior consultation with you should I consider that the urgency of the situation requires me to act immediately to safeguard you or others. In these cases, I require written permission from you before I can carry out your request. In certain cases, you, the client, may request that Northern Voice Counselling share information concerning you. In 

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Sessions

Sessions last approximately 50 minutes and will typically take place weekly, on the same day and time, suitable to you and within my working hours.

It is expected that the session will begin at the agreed time. Any session that begins after this time due to late client arrival for whatever reason cannot be extended beyond the agreed finish time. If you do not arrive or call within 15 minutes of the agreed appointment, this will be considered a cancellation, and the counsellor will not be available for the remainder of the session.
 

Contact Between Sessions

In instances where you need to contact me between sessions, calls can be made to my number provided within my working hours. If I am unable to take your call, please leave a message. Calls and messages will be responded to during working hours between sessions.

Northern Voice Counselling is not a crisis or emergency service, and I am unable to provide support outside agreed appointment times.
 

If you are at immediate risk of harm, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department. For urgent support, contact:

• Your GP

• NHS 111 (or NHS 24 on 111 if in Scotland)

• Samaritans – 116 123 (24 hours, free)

• SHOUT – Text 85258 for confidential crisis support by text
   

Cancellations and Missed Appointments

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. Once booked, that time cannot usually be offered to another client at short notice. If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, I ask that you provide at least 48 hours' notice.

Appointments

Cancelled or rearranged with 48 hours' notice or more will not be charged. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice, or appointments that are missed without notice, will normally be charged at the full session fee.

I understand that unexpected situations and emergencies can arise. Where a cancellation is due to circumstances genuinely beyond your control, such as a serious illness, accident or family emergency, I may waive the cancellation fee at my discretion. Each situation will be considered individually.
 

If I need to cancel a session, I will give you as much notice as possible, normally at least 48 hours where practicable. You will not be charged, and we will arrange an alternative appointment at the earliest mutually convenient opportunity.
 

We understand that life doesn't always go to plan, and the occasional missed session happens. However, where three appointments are missed without the necessary notice, we may need to offer your regular time to another client, and it may not be possible to continue with sessions. This is never a decision we take lightly, and each situation is looked at individually, with the nature of your circumstances taken into account — we would always talk this through with you first wherever possible.

Holidays

I will try to give you a minimum of two weeks' notice of any planned holidays or other periods when I will be

unavailable. If you are planning a holiday or know that you will be unable to attend a scheduled session, I ask that you give me at least two weeks' notice where possible.

If Your Counsellor Is Unavailable Due to Illness or Incapacity

If your counsellor becomes unwell or is otherwise unable to work, we will let you know as soon as possible. Any session fees already paid for a session that cannot go ahead will either be refunded to you or carried over to your next scheduled session, whichever you prefer.

Number of Sessions

Northern Voice Counselling asks that you commit to 4 sessions before realistically evaluating the effectiveness of therapy. After this, the contract can be renewed verbally for additional sessions. A review is given every 6th session (or sooner if desired) and may include changes in the frequency of sessions. If both counsellor and client collaboratively agree that more sessions are necessary to reach your goals, then more sessions (usually 3–8) are agreed upon before ending therapy or reviewing the process again.
 

I understand that your life circumstances may suddenly change. You may at any point desire or be obligated to

discontinue therapy. Whatever the reason, I respect your decision but ask that you give one week's notice before finishing so that we have the chance to discuss your decision.
 

Session Fees

Sessions last 50 minutes and fees are £50. Fees are reviewed yearly, and any changes take effect on 1st January and apply to new or renewed contracts.

Method of Payment

Bank Transfer. Payments to be made on the day you receive your invoice. Details will be provided before sessions commence. If you require an invoice for payment with an electronic payment link, please let me know in advance.
 

Complaints

Should you wish to make a complaint about the service you have received, please refer to our Complaints Policy, which explains how to raise a concern and how it will be handled. A copy is available from your counsellor or on request.
 

Our Related Policies

This document forms our Terms & Conditions, including our cancellation arrangements. It should be read alongside our Privacy Notice, Safeguarding Policy and Complaints Policy, copies of which are available from your counsellor or on request.