Dynamic Diamond Consultancy

66 John Finnie Street

Kilmarnock

To ensure the highest degree of professional service, it is a requirement to enter a therapeutic agreement which sets out the expectations of therapy between the Therapist and the Client.  

Terms and Conditions of Therapy

1. Your Therapist is bound by the Code of Ethics and Practice of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Copies of their code of practice and ethics are available on request, or may be viewed on the BABCP and  BACP web site:

http://www.babcp.com/files/About/BABCP-Standards-of-Conduct-Performance-and-Ethics-0917.pdf

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

2. Subject to the Therapist being satisfied that the Client problem is one that can be alleviated by CBT or General Counselling, the Therapist agrees to offer the Client therapeutic sessions.   This is the Therapist’s commitment to the Client. With the exception of item 4 below, the Client is not contracted to any specific number of sessions. The Client may terminate therapy without further cost at any time, by providing more than 48 hours’ notice.

3. The normal duration of each therapeutic session is approximately 60 minutes, although the Therapist reserves the right to amend the length of each session for therapeutic reasons if necessary. If for any reason the Client is late for a session, The Therapist will see the Client for the duration of the remainder but will be unable to work beyond the allotted time as this will disrupt the clinic for other Clients who may be waiting. Sessions will usually be conducted on a weekly basis, unless otherwise jointly agreed between the Therapist and Client. The initial session will be an assessment of needs where the Therapist will conduct a thorough assessment detailing elements of the Client’s past, medical history, presenting problems, issues of risk and general symptoms. The Client will be required to fully participate in the assessment process and disclose the required information. This is necessary to ensure that the Therapist’s Treatment plan meets the needs of the Client. After the assessment, both the Client and Therapist will decide if counselling is required and appropriate.
4. It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies happen, that may make it necessary for the Client to cancel their appointment last minute or fail to attend and are unable to provide notification. On these occasions it is at the Therapist’s discretion if a fee will be charged. In general, if the Client fails to give less than 48 hours’ notice of their intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session or if there is a repeat pattern of cancellations/DNA’s the Therapist reserves the right to charge in full for that session.

5. If the Client has self-referred the cost for each session will be £50.00.  Payment should be made on the day of the session via BACS

Home visit travel charges depend on the Client’s locations and fees are charged from the closed Dynamic Diamond Consultancy office location. Home visit fees should be agreed prior to the home visit by the Client and Therapist. Please note that a minimum charge of £20.00 per home visit applies.

6. The cost of therapy includes any written materials the Therapist may supply but excludes the cost of any books which might be suggested to the Client for reading.

7. In the event that a private health care plan or employer is being used to fund the Client’s treatment, therapy will not commence until approval in writing has been received from the private health care organisation or the Client is able to provide the relevant authorisation code.

8. As part of your Therapist’s code(s) of practice, they are 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. As such, your Therapist may discuss your case in supervision but would endeavour to not use any identifying details which would disclose who you are. If there was an element of RISK in your case which required disclosure of your personal details, your Therapist’s supervisor is contracted under a confidentiality agreement which prohibits the supervisor from disclosing any information to third parties. It’s important to note that supervision is an integral part of therapy and offers a level of protection for Clients and Therapists alike.

9. Confidentiality is the backbone of the helping profession and your Therapist takes Client confidentiality seriously. Your Therapist will always be respectful, understanding, non-judgmental and empathic towards Clients and will maintain confidentiality within the code of ethics and legal requirements of UK Law (English and Scottish).

Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that your Therapist might break the law or where withholding information means that your Therapist would breach their code of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if your Therapist considers that there is a risk that you the Client may harm yourself or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for the Client’s well-being or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. If it was necessary to breach confidentiality, the Therapist will always endeavour to consult the Client first and discuss the rational for breaching confidentiality. If, however the risk is of such a nature, that there is no time to consult the Client, or where such consultation could be considered dangerous for the Therapist or others, then the therapist would take the required action without consultation ASAP.

10. In the case of the Client disclosing information pertaining to acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, murder, vulnerable adult or child protection issues; confidentiality will be breached, and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Client’s should offer due consideration before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as your Therapist will be obligated to contact the relevant authorities to report the disclosure.

11. The therapeutic relationship between the Therapist and Client will always remain a professional one. The boundaries of which (such as contact outside of sessions) will be agreed between both parties during the initial therapy session. Your Therapist is precluded from accepting social media requests, services in lieu of therapy and invites to special occasions and events. It is inappropriate for the Therapist to enter any form of sexual or intimate relationship with a Client and would therefore reject any advances of this nature.

12. Notes may be taken by the Therapist during and after each therapy session. These will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR 2018).   Such notes will be securely stored in accordance with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) best practice and the Therapist’s code of conduct. Your Therapist will discuss the disposal, retention or otherwise of any such notes at the end of your therapeutic engagement, but clinical notes are usually retained for a period of 6 years. All clinical notes and documents will remain in the possession of the Therapist and will not be disclosed to anyone except the Therapist’s clinical supervisor, unless required under a court of law subpoena or citation. Clients have the right to inspect their records should they wish, and this request will be fulfilled during a therapy session.In the age of social media, it can be easy to post subject matter about therapy online. Whilst you the Client can post/share information about your journey, the Therapist hereby states that they give no permission for images or information containing their person to be shared online or via any other media.

13. If agreed payments for therapy are not being paid, then the Therapist reserves the right to terminate therapy immediately.

14. Therapy can at times be demanding, frustrating, and emotional. Clients may at times find this process very difficult and feel the need to end therapy. Clients are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience at the end of each session and this is a good opportunity to discuss any aspects of the treatment being offered. As the Client, please do try and communicate verbally with your Therapist if you have any concerns or dissatisfaction. This gives both parties the chance to address and resolve engagement issues and find solutions.

In the normal course of therapy, Client’s usually know when they’re ready to finish treatment. As the Client, you can raise your desire to end therapy at any time, and thereafter your therapist will work with you in concluding your treatment.

15. The Therapist will not suddenly or without warning terminate the therapeutic agreement, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the therapeutic 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. Therapy would end if you miss 3 consecutive sessions regardless of payment.

16. The Therapist will notify the Client in advance of any holidays they plan on taking which may occur during treatment. However, there may also be occasions when sessions may be cancelled because of illness or because of attending training sessions or meetings. The Therapist will try to give the Client as much notice as possible of any cancellation and will offer an alternative time. Therefore, please notify the Therapist of any change to your personal contact details.

17. If the Client has been referred by an outside agency, for example a solicitor or insurance company and there is a pending civil court case – for example, if the Client has been injured as a result of a road traffic accident, it is likely that the referring agency will have permission to receive copies of the therapeutic notes. These can only be provided if the Client has provided signed consent via the agency to the Therapist.

The Therapist states that they will not act as a court witness, be involved in custody cases or be involved in civil/legal cases. In exceptional circumstances, the Therapist may agree to court representation, the fee for which is £65.00 per hour plus expenses for travel and accommodation if required. If legal reports are required there is a flat fee of £180.00 per report.

18. Your Therapist may operate a “Living Will”, this is a mandate which is enacted if your Therapist is suddenly incapacitated or dies during your treatment. The purpose of a Living Will is to ensure that a confidential party known by your Therapist can become executor or power of attorney over their case files if they are unable to continue your treatment. In the worst-case scenario, if your Therapist died, you would be contacted by the nominated executor to discuss future options for your treatment and discuss access to your clinical notes. This is an exceptional occurrence, and would hopefully never happen, but if enacted it will help ensure the highest level of Client care whilst ensuring maximum confidentiality. If you wish to be excluded from your Therapist’s Living Will, please opt out in the section below.

19. Your Therapist is in the helping profession as they are passionate about helping to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their Clients. As such, your Therapist will endeavour to work through any issue or problem which may occur to find a satisfactory outcome. In the event that you the Client are unhappy with the service you receive, please discuss this with your Therapist to seek a resolution and satisfactory outcome. If after this, you still feel unsatisfied then you can raise a complaint via the Dynamic Diamond Ltd Complaint Procedure. A copy of the procedure can be provided by your Therapist if requested:

If after following the complaints procedure you do not receive a satisfactory resolution, then you have the right to complain to the Therapist’s professional body, the BABCP.

In order to provide you the Client with therapy the following permissions are required so that the Therapist can provide treatment. Please note: Client confidentiality rights are protected in each case.

I agree to Dynamic Diamond Ltd:

Retaining manual and electronic Client records by recording my treatment and progress and storing them for a period of 6 years, (or more if required for legal reasons).

Audio recording all sessions for the purpose of accuracy, safety and professional development.

Contacting my GP if required to inform them that I have a therapist involved in my care. 

As discussed in section 19, your Therapist may have a Living Will to help protect Client’s confidentiality and therapeutic engagement: Please select if you would like to opt in or out of the Living Will:                          

Therapy works best when you agree to apply what you’ve learnt in-between sessions. As such home learning tasks are usually agreed between each session to help you explore and develop new skills. Do you agree to participate in agreed home learning?

Agreement Between (The Therapist)

Agreement Between (You, The Client)

Agreed Date & Time Of Initial Consultation:

I Agree To A Session Fee Of:

I Agree To A Home Visit Fee Of:

Total Fee:

Bank Details: Account: Dynamic Diamond Ltd Sort Code: 82-65-30 Account No: 80046177

To get the best opportunities from therapy it’s important that we’re able to contact you, send you reading, home learning tasks and sessional information. Please let us know which modes we can use to do achieve this:

• Phone
• SMS (Text Message)
• Email
• A Letter

Client Full Name

Date Of Birth

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