Terms of Service

I completed a Foundation Degree with Middlesex University that was accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and abide by their Code of Ethics.

I work integratively with a relational focus, which means our sessions will draw on several therapeutic approaches tailored to you. We will often explore how patterns from your past show up in your current relationships and in our work together.

Suitability

This work is depth-oriented and relational in nature. If at any point I feel that a different therapeutic approach or level of support would serve you better, I will discuss this with you openly and, where possible, support you in finding an appropriate onward referral.

I am unable to deliver effective therapy to clients attending 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 and add the period to this contract.

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. If you need to pause therapy, please let me know as soon as possible. I cannot hold your slot during a client-initiated break. A break of more than four weeks will ordinarily be treated as an ending, and if you return, we would begin a new agreement. I will do my best to accommodate your return but cannot guarantee the same day and time.

I recommend an initial minimum of six 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. Beyond the initial six sessions, our work becomes open-ended. We will review periodically and end by mutual agreement when the time feels right.

I require two sessions’ notice if you wish to terminate therapy. This ensures a safe and ethical closure process for you.

Cancellations and absence

Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in writing (text or email) to avoid being charged a 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 text to check in. 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 understand that life happens and emergencies are unavoidable, so I allow one late cancellation per calendar year at no charge. After that, the full 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 £62 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 periodically and will give you one calendar month 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

If two or more session fees remain unpaid, our sessions will be paused until the outstanding balance is cleared in full. I will always let you know in advance if this is the case. Resuming sessions is subject to full payment being received.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Everything we discuss is confidential. As an NCPS member I am bound by their Code of Ethics, with the following exceptions:

  • Risk of harm to yourself or others

  • Legal or ethical obligations, including safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, serious crime, or acts of terrorism

  • If I have serious concern about risk to your life, we may agree a keep-safe plan together, which could include contacting a crisis team or the Samaritans

Your personal data is stored securely on a biometrics-protected device used solely by me, and on an encrypted Google Workspace site. I am registered with the ICO (ZB821390) and comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK-GDPR.

Your name will appear on my business bank statements as a record of payment. In certain regulated circumstances, such as mortgage applications or HMRC audits, third parties may request access to these statements. Where this occurs, I will take all reasonable steps to redact your information. However, please be aware that some lenders or regulatory bodies require unredacted statements; in those instances I am unable to refuse this as a legal or financial obligation. I will only ever disclose the minimum information required.

I attend regular supervision as required by the NCPS. Any discussion of our work is anonymised and my supervisor is bound by the same confidentiality obligations as I am. I have also appointed a trusted colleague, also bound by professional confidentiality, to manage client contact and data in the event of my death or incapacity.

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 NCPS’s ‘complaints and concerns’ service via this link. You can also phone 01903 200 666 or email conduct@ncps.com. Further information about the process can be found here.