Agreement of Service - Client 16-17YO

Please review the agreement and terms of engagement below. Complete the form at the bottom with your details and submit.

Contracting is a standard part of counselling, psychotherapy, coaching, setting the foundation for our working relationship by clarifying expectations and processes. As a BACP member who has completed BACP-accredited training, it follows the BACP Ethical Framework to ensure a contract is in place before starting. For more details, please refer to the FAQ page.

Our relationship
You are my client, and my priority is to provide a safe, respectful and ethical service that takes account of your needs, wishes and individual circumstances.

Your sessions are your space to explore what matters to you. I will respect your privacy and support you to take an active role in decisions about your therapeutic work.

Your parent or caregiver may help arrange and pay for your sessions. However, this does not automatically give them access to what you share during our sessions.

The main focus of the relationship between caregiver/parent and Chris is for being able to facilitate the arrangement of session scheduling and payments. Unless otherwise stipulated in the agreements due to some scenarios.

Days & Times 

Once we agree to work together, your session days and times are reserved exclusively for you.

Sessions are typically held weekly, unless we agree on a different schedule, such as bi-weekly or monthly. Each session is 50 minutes unless otherwise arranged. Days, times, and session lengths can be adjusted if needed.

In-Person

We'll meet within the reception waiting area at our agreed time. The building management require you populate a visitor log for fire safety, so they can track how many people are within the building. As I offer a confidential service, you do not need to enter your details, but a random letter for the first and last name. Ensure you search for my name as 'Chris Murrell' from the menu. 

Online 

You will require a private space where you will not be disturbed. I will be within a confidential room with only myself. If in the event we have technical difficulties, I will reach out by phone call. Online sessions will be offered using Google Meets, unless we agree otherwise.

You are empowered to take control of the sessions and end the work at anytime when it feels right for you.

Open Ended sessions

No specific number of sessions have been agreed. These sessions are on an open, rolling basis. Until informed of an ending by yourself.

Its recommended that once informed of an ending, a last session is conducted to ensure a safe and ethical ending occurs.

Notice of Cancellations 

48 hours’ notice is required when you are not able to attend your session. Where 48 hours or more of notice is provided, no charge applies for the session. If less than 48 hours notice is provided, sessions are still charged at full agreed rate. Where possible, an alternative slot can be offered. Your appointments are reserved exclusively for you until you decide to end. 

Missed sessions

Missed sessions are charged in full unless you have provided 48 hours’ notice. Where possible missed sessions can be rescheduled in the same week at no additional charge.

Late Attendance 

Session will still finish at its usual time and will not run over. please provide notice of lateness. If no notice has been provided, 10 minutes into our session starting I will try to make contact, this is to ensure you are safe and well.

Chris Cancellation of session

In the unlikely event that I need to cancel our session, I will inform you as soon as possible and offer another slot at no extra charge.

It is a professional and insurance requirement that written records of attendance and very

brief notes are made, these are kept for a period of 6 years after the end of our work.

After this all such records are destroyed. Record information and notes are securely stored electronically and further password protected.  For more information about the data held click here

The service I provide is confidential, meaning what you have shared shall remain between you and myself. However in in some circumstances, confidentially might have to be breached. In these cases, we will have an open discussion and collaborate to ensure you are informed and hold control where possible.

Risk to Self or Others

If you or another person is at risk or harm, confidentially could be breached. This will be discussed with you if this possibility arises and where deemed appropriate/out of Chris's control, there could be a need to inform the parents/caregivers or take a suitable pathway due to safeguarding concerns. In these cases where possible I will involve and collaborate with you. To ensure you views are respected and you have awareness to what is happening.

Illegal Activities 

Some activities such as Money Laundering & Terrorism by law are required to be reported.

Clinical Supervision 

I undertake regular clinical supervision to ensure good practice. This is someone who helps to support me in ensuring I provide an ethical service and also in the best interest of you. Any information regarding your sessions are anonymised to maintain your confidentiality.

Outside of Sessions 

If we happen to see each other outside of sessions, I will not initially acknowledge you to maintain confidentiality and respect your privacy. However, if you choose to acknowledge me, I will respond with a brief greeting. 

Communication between sessions can occur via text messages, phone calls, and emails, with any other methods requiring prior agreement.

Typically I will respond within a short time, Please allow around 48 hours for a response to any messages or calls outside of our sessions.

I may need to use the contact information you’ve provided to send you/your parent/caregiver emails, texts, and other communications, which may be stored electronically.

I also may be necessary for myself and the parent/caregiver to communicate directly, but this is limited to session arrangements and payments, but also where disclosure is needed as per the confidentiality section above.

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, confidentiality is treated with the utmost importance, ensuring all communications are handled directly by me.

The service I offer does not include an on-call or emergency response. I am not able to provide immediate support outside of sessions.

Its advised your first point of call should be to contact emergency services (999), NHS 111, or attend your GP or local A&E department If you are experiencing an emergency or require urgent support.

When written confirmation is requested by a third party on your behalf, it is kept to a minimum. I cannot provide detailed reports on sessions or offer opinions or diagnoses unless agreed upon in advance.

When a parent/caregiver requests for feedback, progress and or reports about the sessions, confidentiality is respected. Meaning no information will be provided from myself. 

I do not work for and allow any outside agencies and/or schools access to any notes taken.

I will not engage on any social media platforms using personal accounts. Any requests will be deleted, and messages will not be answered. This policy ensures confidentiality and maintains a safe and ethical service.