Terms of Service

I completed an accredited Foundation Degree with Middlesex University. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their Ethical Framework.

I have been trained in a therapeutic approach called ‘integrative relational’ therapy. This emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship and blends various therapeutic theories to address the unique needs of each client. Some key principals of my work include:

  • A focus on the therapist-client relationship as a primary agent of change.

  • Integration of techniques from different therapeutic approaches tailored to your presenting issues and personal attributes.

  • Emphasis on understanding your relational patterns and early attachment experiences, and how these shape your current relationships and sense of self.

  • Collaborative exploration of your internal world, emotional experiences, and interpersonal dynamics.

Sessions

We will usually meet once each week at an agreed time and day for a 50-minute session. The agreed time slot for your session will always be available to you for the duration of our work, unless circumstances outside our control make it necessary for us to review it.

I recommend an initial minimum of 6 sessions to allow our work to evolve. After that it is easier for you to make an informed decision about whether or not you wish to continue counselling. If you continue beyond the first six sessions the period over which we work becomes open-ended until we end by agreement.

We can review your progress every six to eight sessions and I require two sessions’ notice if you wish to terminate therapy. This ensures a safe and ethical closure process for you.

I am unable to deliver effective therapy to clients who attend sessions under the influence of non-prescribed medication or alcohol. In such a case I would discuss the issue with you, and we would agree to a period of abstinence before the session from the non-prescribed medication or alcohol, and add the period to this contract.

Cancellations and absence

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance via text or email to avoid being charged the full session fee. Sessions start and end at the agreed time. If you arrive late, we’ll still finish at the scheduled time to avoid impacting other clients.

If you’re more than 5 minutes late and I haven’t heard from you, I’ll send a quick text to check if you’re still planning to join. If there’s no response and you’re more than 15 minutes late, I’ll assume you’re not attending and will end the session.

I get that sometimes life throws curveballs, so I offer one ‘freebie’ per calendar year for unavoidable last-minute (under 24 hours) cancellations. After that, the full session fee applies.

I require two weeks' notice of any holiday arrangements. I will also provide you with at least two weeks' notice of my holidays.

Fees

I charge £60 per 50-minute session.

I currently have one slot remaining for concessionary rates, available for clients on a reduced income or claiming benefits. This must be agreed upon before our first session.

I review fees annually in April and will give you two calendar months’ notice of any fee increase.

Payment is required at least 24 hours in advance via BACS to confirm your session. Unpaid sessions cannot be held. My bank details are:

  • Bank: Monzo Business

  • Account name: Aimee Bishop

  • Account number: 94618955

  • Sort code: 04-00-03

Confidentiality and Privacy

As a member of BACP, I am bound by their Ethical Framework to protect a client’s confidentiality. Everything we discuss is confidential except in certain circumstances, like:

  • Harm to yourself or others.

  • Legal and ethical reasons e.g. if in good faith I believe I can assist in the prevention or detection of a serious crime, such as child or vulnerable adult safeguarding issues, crimes regarding substantial financial gains/losses, and acts of terrorism.

In certain cases where you may have declared a clear and definite intention to end your life, or if I have reason to believe this to be true, we may put in place a ’keep safe policy’ where you will agree to take certain measures, such as get in touch with your mental health crisis team, or talk to the Samaritans as a way of ensuring your safety.

I record personal data (names/addresses/telephone/email) securely on a laptop with fingerprint access that is used solely by me. All documents are password protected. As a member of the BACP, I am also required to keep accurate and appropriate notes of our work together. These notes are stored in a locked cabinet to which only I have access.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ZB821390) and any information that I keep is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA-18) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR).

All members of BACP are required to have regular supervision. Supervision ensures our work is safe, ethical and effective. Aspects of our work may be discussed during these sessions, but full names and identifiable details are removed. My supervisor is a member of the BACP and is bound by the same professional confidentiality requirements as I am.

I have also appointed a trusted colleague to take over administration of my practice in the event of my death or incapacity, to deal with contacting clients about their appointments and to confidentially destroy data and notes. This colleague is also a member of BACP and is bound by the same professional confidentiality requirements as I am.

Complaint

If there is anything you don’t understand about this agreement, or if you would prefer it in a different format, please let me know. Similarly, if you are not happy with any of our sessions or the standard of my work, I would welcome this conversation. 

If you feel unable to talk to me, or in the event of a serious complaint, please contact the BACP’s ‘get help with counselling concerns’ service, which provides confidential telephone and email guidance on what to do if you have concerns about your therapy or therapist. You can phone 01455 88330, 07811 762114 or 07811 762256, email gethelp@bacp.co.uk, or write to BACP, 15 St John’s Business Park, Lutterworth LE17 4HB.