Frequently Asked Questions

 The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is the UK’s professional body for counselling, psychotherapy and coaching. It sets and upholds standards for ethical practice, professional conduct, training and continuing professional development.

As a registered member of the BACP in both the counselling and coaching divisions, and having completed BACP-accredited training, I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. This reflects my commitment to offering a safe, respectful and ethical service, and to working in the best interests of my clients, with care, integrity and professionalism.

For further information on the BACP Ethical Framework, please click here. Where you can visit the BACP website for further details and download a PDF of the full framework for your own reading.

The aim of these sessions are for us to meet, collaborate together in seeking to understand if therapy/coaching  is right for you. To explore how best I can support you going forward and of we are a good fit for further sessions.

The sessions are for 30 minutes in duration, 20 minutes shorter than a typical session.

Consultation sessions are  non-refundable. If you wish to reschedule, please reach out by email.

As a fully insured practitioner and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I am required to hold certain records in line with legal, ethical and professional standards.

Some personal information is retained for up to six years from the date of our last session. This is required for professional practice, insurance, safeguarding, risk management and business operations. After this period, your data is securely deleted.

All client information is stored securely and digitally using encrypted systems, password protection and additional security measures. I work in line with UK GDPR requirements to ensure your data is kept safe and confidential. No external individuals or organisations have access to this information.

For details about confidentiality and its limits, please refer to the Confidentiality section of my therapy contract.

No outside agencies or individuals have access to this information.

Information I May Hold

Only minimal and relevant information is recorded, including:

• Brief session notes
  (Non-detailed and reflective, e.g. attendance and general themes explored)
   
• Attendance records
  (Required for insurance and BACP membership)
   
• Payment records
  (Required for business and accounting purposes)
   
• Basic personal details, such as:
  Name, date of birth, contact details, address, GP details
  Any relevant medical information needed for safe practice

Enquiries, Bookings & Payments

Third-party directories
If you contact me via a third-party service (e.g. Counselling Directory or BACP Directory), any data you provide is initially handled by that service. Information passed to me is used solely to respond to your enquiry and arrange contact.

Bookings via the Infulistic website
Bookings are managed through a secure third-party booking system. This system collects limited personal information (such as name and contact details) to facilitate appointments. Some data may also appear securely within my professional email or calendar system.

Payments
Payments are processed through the third-party booking system. Any payment data they collect is managed by them. I retain basic transaction records (such as amounts and dates) for bookkeeping purposes. Receipts and reminders are generated automatically via the booking system.

Communication

 Communication may take place via email, phone, SMS or video call, unless agreed otherwise. All communication is handled directly by me and treated confidentially. Secure systems and protections (such as encryption, passwords and authentication) are used. Communication records may be retained for up to six years. 

Data withdrawal 

You have the right to withdraw consent for your data to be held at any time (subject to professional and legal obligations). Requests should be made in writing, such as by email. Your information will never be shared with third parties except where required by law or safeguarding responsibilities, as outlined in my therapy contract.

This privacy policy does not apply to services or practices operated by third parties that I do not control.

Cookies

Cookies are bits of information (memory files) stored in your browser by sites you visit. As is common practice with almost all websites, this site uses cookie to improve your experience by remembering your preferences and enable other cookie-based features (e.g. analytics).

Our Cookies
When you submit data through a form such as those found on contact pages or comment forms, cookies may be set to remember your user details for future correspondence.

In order to provide you with a better experience and remember your preferences, I set cookies so that this information can be called whenever you interact with a page.

Third-Party cookies
In special cases, I also use cookies provided by trusted third parties like Google Analytics. Third party analytics are used to track and measure usage of this site so that I can continue to produce engaging content.

As a registered member of the BACP, I am required to attend clinical supervision on a regular basis. Clinical supervision supports my ongoing professional development, helping me reflect on my work, develop my skills and maintain ethical and safe practice in the best interests of my clients.

Any client material discussed in supervision is shared in a non-identifiable and non-descriptive way to protect confidentiality. For example, I may explore questions such as how best to support a client experiencing anxiety who is finding certain therapeutic tools less helpful.

My service is grounded in confidentiality. What you share in sessions remains private and is treated with care and respect as deeply personal information.

There are limited and specific circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken. These are assessed on a case-by-case basis and relate primarily to safeguarding and safety, where there is a risk of serious harm to you or others. This also includes situations required by UK law, such as concerns relating to terrorism or money laundering.

Wherever possible, any decision to breach confidentiality would be discussed with you during a session. Immediate safeguarding concerns may be taken to my clinical supervisor so that appropriate and ethical next steps can be considered.

Breaches of confidentiality are rare and only occur where there is a legal or ethical obligation to do so, in line with UK law and the BACP Ethical Framework, to ensure a safe and responsible service.

As with any professional service, counselling, psychotherapy and coaching are provided within a clear therapeutic contract. Contracting is a standard and ethical part of practice and helps establish shared understanding and clear expectations within our working relationship.

Our contract is a formal agreement and is viewed as a living document, which means it can be reviewed and updated together as our work develops. Not all aspects of our work can be anticipated in advance, and some elements of contracting may be agreed verbally as we go along.

As our work evolves, we may agree changes or additions to our arrangements, either verbally or in writing. This may include practical matters such as session times, or aspects of how we work together within sessions. Any changes required due to legal or ethical responsibilities will always be discussed openly with you.

The contract outlines key areas, including:

• Session dates, times and location
   
• Fees, payment schedule and cancellation arrangements
   
• Data protection and record keeping
   
• Communication outside of sessions
   
• Relevant medical information
   
• Ending the work
   
• The nature of the service being provided

BACP info on contracting

Payment will be by bank transfer and needs to be made 48 hours before our session. 

Block booking is also offered, where you are able to book a block of sessions ahead of time and pay in advance.

When we agree to working together my business bank account details will be provided as part of contracting.  

Receipts and invoicing can be provided on request

Payments can be accepted by a third party. Where payment is being made by a third party, such as an employer or someone else rather than yourself directly, its expected they will engage within a payment contract. 

Such contract will outline how payments are going to be made, who is the point of contact and further limits of confidentially. 

48 hours notice will be required if you are looking to cancel a session, however I understand that life is not always a simple flow and offer an understanding to the odd last minute changes now and then. Life does sometimes throw a curve ball. 

If you choose to cancel a session before the 48 hours, no fee will be charged. A full fee will be charged if cancelling less than 48 hours before the session.

If in the unfortunate event I have to cancel your session on my behalf, all efforts will be made to inform you with as much notice as possible.

In either events, we can collaborate and rearrange your session at another mutually suitable time/days where possible or agree to continue on our next usual scheduled session. In the event where cancelation was on my behalf, no session fee will be charged. 

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

I will meet you 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.

If we happen to see each other outside of sessions, I will not initially acknowledge you to maintain confidentiality and respect your privacy. You may be with someone who isn’t aware of your counselling. However, if you choose to acknowledge me, I will respond with a brief greeting. If we happen to see each other outside of sessions, I will not initially acknowledge you to maintain confidentiality and respect your privacy. You may be with someone who isn’t aware of your counselling. 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.

Please allow for around 48 hours for a response to any messages or calls you make to me outside of our sessions.

The service I offer does not include an on-call or emergency response. I am not able to provide immediate support outside of sessions, and responses to messages or calls may take up to 48 hours.

If you are experiencing an emergency or require urgent support, it is important to contact emergency services (999), NHS 111, or attend your GP or local A&E department.