Alex Ballard
Alex Ballard Counselling, Bedford UK
alexballardcounselling@gmail.com
My qualifications:
I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). A copy of my certification is included with your introductory email.
I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework. You can access a copy here.
Insurance Cover:
I am insured by Holistic Insurance Services. A copy of my insurance certificate is included in your introductory email.
Anti-discrimination:
I aim to provide an anti-discriminatory service and hope that this intention is present in all our work together.
Session Details
Sessions are 50 minutes long
Sessions are at the same time and day every week (unless we agree otherwise)
We agree any changes with at least 1 week’s notice
Arriving on time helps our work (I can not extend sessions at the beginning or end)
If you want to leave earlier - please let me know (full session charge will apply)
Length of counselling
I suggest meeting for 4 sessions initially. We can then decide whether to continue working together.
We will review our work regularly. You are welcome to raise questions about the process of your counselling at any time.
Ending sessions
It is best to have a planned ending.
We agree together when sessions end (at least 1 week in advance).
If you miss or cancel a session:
Sessions cancelled with less than 3 working days notice are payable
Sessions not paid for in advance will not be held
Please try to give sufficient notice (at least 1 week) of your planned absences.
If you are planning to miss more than 2 consecutive sessions but want to continue counselling, sessions will be payable from the 3rd session to guarantee sessions going forward.
I reserve the right to discontinue sessions when 72 hours notice or non-payment has occurred for 2 sessions consecutively.
If I miss or cancel a session
I always try to give you as much notice if I am unable to offer a planned session.
Sessions cancelled by me are not charged.
Distractions
Counselling works best if we are both fully engaged.
Distractions like phones, are not helpful
Sometimes fidget toys are helpful. Do let me know.
I will not offer a session if you are under the influence of non-prescribed medication or alcohol. You will still be charged for this session.
Confidentiality
I do not share what happens in our sessions, unless I decide there is a need to protect someone from harm
If this happens, I would want to talk to you unless this is not possible for legal or safety reasons.
I am not bound by confidentiality, if in good faith, I feel that I can assist in the prevention or detection of a serious crime, this includes safeguarding issues regarding children or vulnerable adults, crimes regarding substantial financial gains and losses, and acts of terrorism.
I have a supervisor. We might discuss you together but this is also a confidential discussion, unless safeguarding is necessary.
Clinical notes
I make brief factual notes of what happened in the session, which you have the right to view.
As a member of BACP I am required to keep accurate and appropriate notes of our work together. I record my session notes securely on a laptop that is only used by me, and this is password protected at both the level of the individual document and the laptop itself.
Your Personal Data
Please see my privacy notice here:
I treat your personal information with as much care as possible.
Confidentiality can not always be guaranteed when using digital communications. I use google workplace with a 2 step-authentication.
I keep your clinical notes for 5 years, or for 5 years after your 18th birthday if you are currently under 18 .
I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Contact between sessions
Contact between sessions will be via email: alexballardcounselling@gmail.com
Normally contact regards session logistics only.
It may not be possible for me to reply to communications outside of my working hours or your allotted session time.
Social media - I do not accept invitations from clients or former clients to connect on social media
If we meet unintentionally outside of sessions:
I will not initiate interaction unless you do.
I may, politely, choose not to have a prolonged interaction with you.
If you require urgent professional assistance please access the emergency contacts list:
NHS direct telephone 111, your GP, the emergency services (phone 999) The Samaritans freephone 116123.
Fees
Session fees:
Fee per session: £50
Letters and reports:
I will require your written permission to do this.
The charge is based on the time it takes me to write the document. My hourly fee is £50
Payment
Please pay by bank transfer by the end of the previous working day to your session.
My bank details are:
Account name: Alexander Ballard
Sort code: 60-83-71
Account no.: 09149610
Clinical will
In keeping with the requirements of BACP’s Ethical Framework I have appointed a trusted colleague to take over the administration of my practice in the event of my death or incapacity, and to deal with my appointments and destroy my notes in a confidential manner. This colleague is also a member of BACP and is bound by the same professional confidentiality rules as set out in their Ethical Framework.
Not happy?
‘If you wish to complain about my work or treatment of you, I would ideally like for us to discuss this together first.
If you would prefer not to do this, you have a right to inform my professional body, by contacting the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy' by following the link here.
If there is anything that you don’t understand about this agreement, or if you would prefer it in a different format, please let me know.
I have read this contract carefully and I understand and agree to its contents.
Signed client Date
Signed therapist Date
A copy of this contract is available upon request.