ELIZABETH BROWN COUNSELLING

It is essential to find the right counsellor, someone you feel comfortable with. If both client and counsellor can work together then a collaborative and trusting relationship will develop. I invite potential clients to have a brief consultation to decide if ‘we’ could work together. This can be via video call or on the telephone and is an opportunity to ask any questions, explore your expectations of counselling and briefly discuss what it is you are bringing to counselling.

If you decide to commence counselling, our first session will be a gentle introduction. It is an opportunity to talk about any concerns or anxieties you may have about the counselling process. Prior to this session, I will email you some details about my working agreement, confidentiality and safe storing of data. We will take some time to discuss this and consider how we might work together and I will ask you to sign an agreement. We will also cover any technical issues or problems that may arise from working online/telephone.

Hopefully you will feel able to raise any questions that you may have.

Maintaining confidentiality is extremely important because it means you can explore difficult issues with the reassurance that no one else will know. Only in exceptional circumstances would confidentiality be broken and this would be something I would hope to discuss with you first.

Everyone is individual and the nature of what they bring to counselling will determine how long therapy may last. I offer both short and long term counselling and I am flexible in my approach. We will work together in a way which suits your needs. If I feel I do not have the expertise in the area you are seeking help, I can offer an onward referral to someone better suited.

If for any reason you feel that counselling is not working for you or it is not the right time, we can discuss this in an open and non-judgmental way. It may be that we agree to suspend counselling initially with a view to resuming at a later date, or that you simply wish to stop. In order for you to feel safe and supported, I would discuss with you the possible ways in which you could seek further help, should you want this.

Each session is 50 minutes costing £60.

Fees are paid in advance of the session by bank transfer.

Some concessions are available – please ask.

If you are unable to attend a session, I ask that you provide as much notice as possible. I reserve the right to charge in full for missed appointments or those cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

As a registered member of the BACP, I work in accordance to their guidelines and code of ethics. Any complaint should be taken to this organisation.

My insurance also covers me and my clients for disputes.

I adhere to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which came into force in May 2018. It protects individuals’ personal information and improves their control over how it is collected, stored, shared and used. A copy of my privacy policy will be given to you within my ‘client/counsellor agreement’.