Counsellor Agreement 

1. Counsellor Details and Ethical Framework

Name: Gill Noble-Grey
Professional Role: Qualified Counsellor
Professional Membership: Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

I am a qualified counsellor bound by ethical frameworks for good practice. I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, which can be accessed here:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical-framework

My commitment as a BACP member means that I will:

• Work with you, valuing you as a unique person and treating you fairly regardless of similarities or differences

• Work lawfully and ethically to promote wellbeing

• Respect your right to autonomy, including your right to be involved in decisions about our work together

• Be willing to discuss how we work and respect your right to end counselling when you consider it to be right for you

• Behave in a trustworthy way and work to professional standards

I will regularly check that you are comfortable with the way we are working together so that I can support you in the best way possible. I hope you will feel able to discuss any concerns with me directly. If you feel unable to do so, the BACP has a formal complaints procedure available at:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/

​

2. Qualifications, Insurance, and Ways of Working

My qualifications and insurance support me to work:

• In person (at the same physical location)

• At a distance, for example via video conferencing platforms or by telephone

I hold professional indemnity insurance, as well as public and product liability insurance, through .

I also hold an Enhanced DBS Check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

​

3. Nature and Purpose of Counselling

Counselling offers a confidential and supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is a collaborative process aimed at supporting emotional wellbeing, understanding, and coping strategies. While counselling can be beneficial, specific outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

The service I provide does not include crisis support. If this is a concern for you, please discuss this with me. I may be able to arrange sessions at short notice, either face-to-face or by telephone, where appropriate.

​

4. Counselling Setting (Face-to-Face Sessions)

Face-to-face counselling sessions take place in a dedicated counselling room within my home.

• Clients will only have access to the counselling room, cloakroom, and toilet facilities

• Clients are not permitted to access any other areas of the house

• There is no waiting area for parents, carers, or others during sessions

• Parents/carers are asked to make alternative arrangements and return promptly at the agreed end time

These boundaries are in place to maintain privacy, safety, and professional standards.

​

5. Appointments and Session Length

• All sessions are arranged in advance and booked and paid for online.

• Sessions usually last 50 minutes, unless otherwise agreed

• Any late arrival by the client will still require the session to end at the scheduled time

• Fees are charged according to the agreed session length

• ​

6. Fees, Booking, and Payments

Booking

Sessions must be booked and paid for in advance. A session cannot be confirmed without payment.

​

Invoices and Payment Methods

• All sessions must be paid online prior to the session

• Payments can be made via Tidycal or by BACS transfer directly to Mindspace Cumbria

• Cash payments are not accepted

• Sessions are only confirmed once payment has been received

• ​

Cost of Services

• Session fees may increase annually on 6 April, in line with inflation

• All session costs are outlined clearly on the website.

• ​

7. Rescheduling, Cancellations, and Non-Attendance

Reminders

Once booked through Tidycal, you will receive a confirmation email and an email reminder on the day of your session.

​

Late Arrivals and No-Shows

• If you do not attend your session, I will send a reminder message after 5 minutes

• After a further 5 minutes, the session will be cancelled

• No-shows will not be offered a rescheduled session

​

Client Cancellations

• Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged at full cost and will not be offered a rescheduled session

• Cancellations made with more than 24 hours’ notice will be charged at full cost but may be offered a rescheduled session, at my discretion

​

Counsellor Cancellations or Late Arrival

• If I am unable to attend a session, I will endeavour to offer a mutually convenient rescheduled session

• If rescheduling is not possible, you may choose either a 100% session credit or a full refund

• If I am late, I will inform you as soon as possible and agree one of the following with you:

  • Extending the session (where possible)

  • A proportional make-up session

  • A proportional session credit

​

8. Additional Practical Information (Face-to-Face Sessions)

Pets

I have a dog. The dog is allowed in the counselling room when I am not counselling. If you or your child is allergic to, fearful of, or uncomfortable around dogs, please let me know so this can be taken into consideration.

​

Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol, and Substances

• Smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, or substance use is not permitted within the curtilage of my property, including the driveway

• If I assess that you are not able to engage safely in therapy due to alcohol or substance use, I reserve the right to cancel the session

​

Parking

• Free, non-time-limited parking is available on the road and surrounding roads

• Parking on the drive is not permitted

• What3Words location: ///elections.rezoning.cuff

• Please park considerately and note that vehicles are parked at your own risk

​

Food and Drink

• A small selection of hot and cold refreshments is available

• No other food or drink is permitted

​

Toilets

• Toilet facilities are available for anyone booked into a therapy session

​

9. First Aid and Emergencies

I do not hold a valid first aid certificate and cannot administer first aid to a child or adult.

If a child or adult is in need of first aid or emergency support, I will act in loco parentis and will contact the named emergency contact to take appropriate steps, including contacting emergency services if necessary.

​

10. Safeguarding

I am committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Safeguarding concerns will be managed in line with:

• Legal and statutory requirements

• Local safeguarding procedures

• The BACP Ethical Framework

The safety and wellbeing of the individual will always be the primary consideration.

​

11. Communications Outside Sessions

There are several important points regarding communication:

1. Different methods of communication are used for different purposes. Practical matters (such as arranging or changing appointments) may be handled via text or email. Other communications may need to be recorded in my notes.

2. Please do not be offended if I do not engage with you on social media. This is due to ethical and professional boundaries and does not reflect personal feelings.

3. While I aim to respond as promptly as possible, I may not be able to respond immediately when I am:

   • In sessions

   • After 9pm

   • At weekends or during holidays

If you have any concerns about communication, please discuss them with me.

​

12. Record Keeping and Data Protection

As part of ethical practice, I am required to:

• Keep brief session notes

• Attend regular clinical supervision

All records are stored securely and handled in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection legislation. Information shared with me is treated as sensitive and protected respectfully.

You have the right to request access to your personal data, subject to legal and ethical considerations.

​

13. Information Requested from You

I will ask for personal information necessary for safe and effective working, including:

• Contact details and address

• GP details (for use in emergencies only)

• An emergency contact

Only information relevant to your counselling will be requested.

​

14. Confidentiality

What you share with me verbally is confidential. There are, however, limits to confidentiality where I am ethically or legally required to act:

• If information indicates that a child, young person, or vulnerable adult may be at risk

• If I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person

• If a serious crime has been committed or there is an issue of national security

If safeguarding or confidentiality concerns arise, I will aim to discuss these with you wherever possible so that we can agree appropriate next steps.

Further information about how your data is used, stored, and processed is detailed in the Privacy Statement.

​

15. Ending Counselling

Counselling may be ended by either party. Wherever possible, endings should be discussed and planned to support a safe and thoughtful conclusion to the work.

​

16. Agreement

By signing below, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms set out in this Counselling Agreement.

​