Before we begin work together please send me the following details: 

Address 

Telephone Contact 

GP name and address

 

1. I am bound by the Code of Ethics and Practice of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). My accrediting institution, Cambridge Society for Psychotherapy is a member of the College of Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis (CPJA). A copy of the code of practice and ethics are available on request, or may be viewed on the UKCP website: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/ (See also https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/how-we-are-structured/ukcp-colleges/council-for-psychoanalysis-and-jungian-analysis-college/    https://www.cambridge-psychotherapy.org.uk/ )

2. You are not contracted to any specific number of sessions. You may terminate therapy without further cost at any time you wish. (see below 5, 15)

3. The normal duration of each session is 50 minutes. If for any reason you are late for a session, I will see you for the duration of the remainder but will be unable to work beyond the allotted time as this will disrupt the clinic for other patients who may be waiting. You will be charged for the full session.

4. I offer psychoanalytic psychotherapy. If you would like an outline of what this therapy involves, please ask.

5. It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies, happen, that may make it necessary for patients to cancel their appointment last minute or fail to attend and are unable to provide notification. If possible, please contact me on 07765 589 129 if such events occur. On these occasions it is at the therapist’s discretion if a fee will be charged.  In general however, if you fail to give less than 48 hours’ notice of your intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session or if there is a repeat pattern of cancellations or non-attendance I reserve the right to charge in full for that session.

6. The cost for each session will be £50. (I charge £65 in Cambridge to cover travel and room hire). At the end of each calendar month I will send by email a bill for that month’s sessions. You can pay by cash, cheque, or if you wish to pay by BACS I will supply my bank details.

7. The cost of therapy includes any written materials I may supply, but excludes the cost of any books that I might suggest you read.

8. As part of my code of practice I am required to carry out continuing professional development, and to engage in regular on-going clinical supervision. This is to ensure an ethical and professional service to clients. I will discuss your case in supervision.

9. In the unlikely event that I wish to record a session I will ask you first. In the event the session is recorded you may have a copy. If you wish to record the sessions yourself you may do so. Please inform me if you intend to record a session.

10. Confidentiality will be maintained within the codes of ethics and legal requirements. Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that I, as your therapist, might break the law or where withholding information means I would breach the code of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if I consider there is a risk you may harm yourself or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for your well-being or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. In such an event where I am considering breaching confidentiality, you will normally be consulted first.

11. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism and vulnerable adult or child protection issues, confidentiality will be breached and such disclosures will be passed on to the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as I am obligated to contact relevant authorities.

12. Our therapeutic relationship will remain a professional one at all times, the boundaries of which (such as contact outside of our sessions) can be agreed between us during our sessions.

13. Notes may be taken during and after each session, which will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).   These notes will be securely stored. I will discuss the disposal, retention or otherwise of any such notes at the end of our engagement. They are disclosed to no one other than the clinical supervisor, unless required under a court of law. You have the right to inspect your records should you so wish, and this request will be fulfilled during a therapy session.

14. If agreed payments for therapy are not being paid then I reserve the right to terminate therapy.

15. Endings – psychotherapy can at times be demanding, frustrating, and emotional. You may at times find this process very difficult, and feel the need to end therapy. If you feel unhappy with any aspects of the treatment being offered please do try to communicate this verbally. This gives us both the chance to address and resolve engagement issues.  In the normal course of events you will probably know when you are ready to finish psychotherapy, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this.

16. I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of our work together. This would be fully discussed at that time. Please note any threats or acts of violence will invalidate this agreement and therapy will cease. Sessions will not take place if you arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed medication.

17. You will be notified of any holidays to be taken by myself well in advance. However, there may also be occasions when sessions may be cancelled because of illness or because of attending training sessions or meetings. I will try to give you as much notice as possible of any cancellation, and will offer an alternative time. Therefore, please notify any change in contact details.

18. If you need to take a prolonged break, but would like to  remain in therapy in the long-term, please discuss this with me as early as possible. Usually I will keep a space open for up to two months if you pay half of your usual fee. 

19. In the event of you being unhappy with the service you receive, please discuss this with me. If you feel unable to do so or do not receive satisfactory resolution, then you have the right to complain to my institution, the Cambridge Society for Psychotherapy or my professional body, the UKCP.

 

Many thanks,

Alistair