Therapy Agreement (Counselling Contract)
This is an agreement between Lucy Ananda (therapist)
and __________________________________________ (client)
Introduction
As your therapist, I, Lucy Ananda, will offer you integrative counselling and abide by the ethics of my professional body, the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
Modality of Therapy
The type of therapy I offer is integrative counselling, drawing on person‑centred, psychodynamic, and somatic approaches. This means our work together will be tailored to your individual needs, drawing from different therapeutic models to support insight, integration, and emotional wellbeing.
I believe you hold the wisdom and capacity for change within you, and together we will explore the way forward through our therapeutic relationship.
Our Sessions
Sessions last 50 minutes. I offer daytime and evening appointments Monday to Thursday and do not work on Fridays.
You may attend sessions weekly or fortnightly, depending on what feels most supportive. We will review this together as your therapy progresses.
Fees
My fee is £60 per session, payable by bank transfer at least 24 hours before your session.
Bank details: _________________________________
If my fees change in future, I will give you at least 2 months’ notice.
Cancellations
Life events can sometimes make it difficult to attend sessions. If you need to cancel, please contact me by text as soon as possible.
If you provide notice, there will be no charge for rescheduling, and we’ll aim to find a suitable alternative time promptly.
Occasionally, I may need to cancel at short notice. I will always give as much notice as possible and reschedule quickly.
Do Not Attend (DNA)
If you do not attend a session and do not inform me, this will be considered a no‑show, and the full session fee will be charged.
Administration
All administration, including contracts, scheduling, and correspondence, is managed directly by me.
You are welcome to contact me by email or text for any queries or changes to appointments.
Data Protection & GDPR
To communicate with you, I collect basic information: your name, address, mobile number, email address, and next of kin details.
Your contact details are stored securely and used only for communication related to your sessions.
I keep brief, handwritten session notes after each session. These are stored securely in a locked cabinet accessible only to me.
Notes are retained for seven years, as required by law, and then safely destroyed. You have the right to view your notes at any time.
When we finish working together, I will delete your number from my phone and securely destroy any written contact details after one month.
I am registered as a Data Controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
If you believe I have breached your data, please discuss it with me first so I can address the issue.
If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the ICO at ico.org.uk or call 0303 123 1113.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed in sessions is confidential. The only exceptions are:
- If you disclose involvement in terrorism, drug trafficking, or money laundering, I am legally required to inform the authorities.
- If I believe you are at risk of serious harm to yourself or others, I may need to break confidentiality, and I will discuss this with you whenever possible.
- I discuss aspects of my work in clinical supervision, where your identity remains anonymous.
Please note that if you bring a smartphone or smartwatch into sessions, I cannot guarantee that it will not be listening. I do not have any devices in the room during sessions.
Recording of sessions is not permitted without my prior written consent.
Supervision
I attend monthly supervision, as required by law and ethical practice. My supervisor ensures I work safely, ethically, and in your best interests. She is also bound by confidentiality.
Professional Body Membership
I am a Registered Member (MNCS Accred) with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and adhere to their Code of Ethics and Complaints Procedure.
If you feel dissatisfied with my service, you may contact the NCPS directly.
Living Will
I have a Living Will in place to ensure that, in the event of sudden illness or death, a trusted colleague can access your contact details to inform you of my situation.
Insurance
I hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance appropriate for counselling practice.
Anti‑Discriminatory Practice
I aim to provide a service free from discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
I strive to ensure equal access to counselling for all individuals seeking support.
Social Media
I do not currently use social media for my counselling practice.
If this changes in the future, I will update my policy to ensure clear professional boundaries.
Complaints
If you feel dissatisfied with my service, please discuss this with me first.
If we cannot resolve the issue, you may contact my professional body, the NCPS.
Outside in Public
If we meet outside of sessions, I will be guided by you.
If you acknowledge me, I will respond warmly, but I will never initiate contact or identify you as a client.
Agreement
Please sign below to confirm that you have read and understood this contract.
If you have any questions or feel something has been missed, please let me know. I welcome your feedback.
Client Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________
Therapist Signature: _________________________ Date: ____________