Starting therapy
Starting therapy does not need to be a daunting process. It is essential that you find the right person for you.
Research shows that the most important factor in successful psychotherapy and counselling is the relationship between client and therapist.
To help achieve this I offer an initial consultation process to meet me, discuss your situation, explain my approach and determine whether it is right for you. This may take one or more sessions.
If we decide to start working together, we would agree a regular weekly session time that will be reserved specifically for you. This will be your time slot for as long as we work together. There is an expectation of weekly attendance as therapy works best when there is the consistency and continuity of regular weekly contact,
Due to COVID 19 all consultations and sessions are either by video (Skype, Zoom, Whatsapp) or telephone.
Therapy duration
Sessions last for 50 minutes.
You many want to agree a fixed number of sessions at the outset, or you may prefer to leave the duration open-ended. We will discuss this. The choice is yours. The those starting therapy for the first time I generally suggest 12 sessions.
Fees
My fees depend on time of day and location. Fees are discussed as part of the consultation process and will be reviewed annually.
Fees are payable online prior to the session.
I offer a limited number of daytime concessions for students. Please ask.
Arrival and late attendance
I am unable to make up time if you are late. Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible. We will agree an etiquette for telephone and video calls.
Cancellation policy
If you need to change the time of a session, I will do my utmost to accommodate your request. Because the time is kept exclusively for you, I charge for cancelled or missed sessions and initial consultations unless discussed in advance ( minimum of one week)
I will advise you well in advance of my holiday breaks.
Personal Data and Confidentiality
In order to provide an effective and professional psychotherapy and counselling service, Alina Barrowcliff Psychotherapy holds information about clients. These include a client questionnaire form with contact details, information about your GP, your date of birth, source of referral, presenting issue, previous experience of counselling and any medication used. Any other personal information held is identified only by a client code.
Our sessions are confidential. Your personal date will not be shared with anyone without your knowledge and permission, unless there is a legal requirement, if there is a child or adult safeguarding issue, or a perceived risk of harm. A breach of confidentiality is when a person shares information with another in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that information will be kept confidential.
All persoanl data is kept securely, if used electronic files are encrypted and paper records are stored in locked files. Personal data is held for 3 years after a client has finished therapy and the files are then destroyed.
Anonymised data is used for the purpose of accounting and research.
You can ask to see the information held about you, this will be arranged within 30 days.
Professional Accreditation and Supervision
I am accredited by The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Society of Existential Analysis (SEA) and British Autogenic Society (BAS).
I comply with their Ethical Frameworks. In accordance with their professional requirements, I am in regular supervision. I discuss client work but the identity of the client is not revealed.
Complaints
If you have any concerns or complaints please raise them during therapy. However if you wish to then take your complaint to a third party please direct it to the UKCP as detailed in their procedures. www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Emergency
I do not offer emergency support and I cannot guarantee my availability to you outside our agreed session times. If you are in danger in any way, please contact the Emergency Services on 999 or 111, your GP or the Samaritans on 08457 909090.
‘Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.’