Ethos

I help my clients in their desire to close the gap between where they are now and where they would like to be in the future, with the support of talk therapy sessions influenced by the unique needs of the client as an individual.

Whether you have had counselling before or are motivated to try a new approach to negotiating this thing called life, I am the kind of counsellor who will walk besides you and guide you to where you would like to go.

Code of Conduct

Purpose of the code and Fitness to Practice

The Code of Conduct sets out the standards expected of both myself and my clients. I will inform prospective clients of these standards before therapeutic work begins and ensure both new and present clients know how to access it online.

It is my responsibility to ensure I am fit to practice and must consider my own self-care and wellbeing, my continuous professional development and awareness.

I encourage and welcome clients and former clients who believe that I have failed to provide the standards of service outlined within the Code of Conduct, to approach me either in person during a session or via the complaints link.

The issues raised will then be discussed with my supervisor, of whom is bound by the same standards of confidentiality and duty of care, to improve and develop my professional practice. Reasonable and appropriate outcomes of the discussion will follow and may be shared at the discretion of myself and my supervisor.

Complaints

Fundamental Principles

Though these principles cannot be used to find a definitive ‘right or wrong’ ethical decision, it is in both mine and my client’s best interests to actively consider the following points in my ethical practice and decision making, as well as discussing the implementation of these with my supervisor.

The growth and wellbeing of the client is at the heart of my practice

I hold the clients desire to explore, reflect and grow central to my work and so am committed to avoid causing harm to their personal journey and wellbeing.

Being trustworthy and responsible

I endeavour to establish trust with my clients and with that trust make certain that my actions are built from a place of sufficient responsibility to their mental health journey and the safety of them and those around them.

Respect for the rights of the clients and their dignity.

Every client has the right to self-determination and to be shown dignity and respect for their lawful decisions. This includes protecting the identity and autonomy of the client during our therapeutic relationship and after sessions have come to an end, as well as showing respect for diversity without prejudice to ethnicity, gender, sexuality, beliefs, mental and physical abilities or social context.

Integrity and self-responsibility.

Both my clients and I will commit to a practice based upon the knowledge that we are responsible for our own needs and health as individuals. That the therapeutic relationship and its process can depend on each party’s commitment to self-care, honesty and taking responsibility for our own journey.

Confidentiality, Maintenance of Records and Recording of Sessions

In accordance with the legal framework General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) I will:

Maintain strict confidentiality within the client/counsellor relationship, always provided that such confidentiality is neither inconsistent with the therapist’s own safety or the safety of the client, the client’s family members or other members of the public, nor in breaking of any legal action (i.e. criminal, coroner or civil court cases where a court order is made demanding disclosure) or legal requirement (e.g. Children Acts).
I will ensure that client notes and records are kept secure and confidential, and that the use of computer records conforms with the terms of the Data Protection Act and guidance from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) of which I am a registrant of.
Client records (paper files, laptops) will be kept in a locked cabinet/briefcase within a secure property. If transporting client files outside of practice premises this will be done in a locked container. Any client records that must be left temporarily in a car should be in a secure, locked container and locked in the car boot. Electronic files will be kept secure behind password enabled software, and the password will be changed regularly.
I will ensure that client records are appropriate, accurate, relevant, lawful and secure. Record keeping involves a range of potential complexities, ethical and legal issues, and supervisory support is important. The possibility of clients or external parties requesting access to such notes must be considered, ensuring the right to access personal information is both known by the client and honoured when necessary and appropriate unless the sharing of such information may interfere with the law of which I am bound.
I will advise the client that anonymised cases may sometimes be used for the purposes of academic assessment, individual and peer supervision or the supervision and/or training of my practice; and refrain from using such material should the client indicate a preference that it should not be used for these purposes.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Supervision

I am morally and ethically motivated to continue my professional development and will do so by considering the following:

Maintain or improve my level of skills and professional competence in a manner appropriate with my career.
Ensure that my CPD enhances my professional practice and improves the service provided to clients. It is important to keep up to date with new developments relevant to practice.
Complete a minimum of 15 hours of CPD per year, keeping theoretical and practical knowledge and skills up to date by learning more about their discipline and learning more about how to work as a professional practitioner, including any new legislative requirements.
Complete CPD in a range of activities.

Regarding supervision, I will:

Have formal one to one supervision in place and obtained from a properly qualified and trained supervisor.
Ensure that clients with presenting issues outside of my scope of ability, are discussed in supervision and where appropriate I will refer the client to another practitioner.
Ensure a written contract is provided from the supervisor.
Maintain confidentiality of clients within the arrangement.
Not engage in any dual relationship when seeking supervision. i.e. do not engage in a personal or romantic relationship with my supervisor.
Keep a record of supervision hours.

Treatment of Minors and Those Classified as Persons with Special Needs or Vulnerabilities

When working with minors and those classified as vulnerable, I will:

Obtain the written consent of an appropriate adult (i.e. parent, legal guardian or registered medical practitioner) with the exception of those under the age of 16 who are believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what is involved in the treatment (also referred to as Gillick competent), before conducting treatment with clients who are either under the age of majority or are classified as persons with special needs or vulnerabilities.
Ensure that methods of communication are monitored where a client is a child or young person. It is not sufficient to assume that a text message, email or other non-immediate form of communication has been understood or received in a timely manner. Where a client may be at risk, direct communication (face to face or by telephone contact) is required.
Offer a proactive service which must include following up on any advice or recommendations given to seek further help e.g. medical intervention, and to inform the parents, legal guardian and/or General Practitioner if the client is at risk of harm.
Diligently escalate any concern of risk of harm to the parents, legal guardian and/or General Practitioner as appropriate.
Obtain further knowledge and training specialised in working with children and young persons. Refer to CPD.
Ensure supervision is obtained from a supervisor with experience of, and preferably specific training in working with children and young persons.
Ensure note taking for clients who are children and young persons includes: dates of any significant events, dates of any escalation and referrals (including when taken to supervision), who referrals are made to, and follow up action taken.

General Conduct

I will:

Conduct myself at all times in a professional and appropriate status and in such a way that neither undermines public confidence in the process or profession of counselling, nor brings it into disrepute, being aware of professional and personal boundaries.
Never publicly criticise, malign or professionally obstruct another member of the profession, unless there is an issue of public protection and concern which should be addressed through a properly constituted complaints procedure.
Never diagnose or treat a person as mentally ill based on that person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or political, religious, ideological, moral or philosophical beliefs.
Respect the status of all other medical/healthcare professionals and the boundaries of their professional remits.
Endeavour to maintain the highest level of communication with clients (avoiding abbreviation and shorthand) whether by telephone; email; text or any other social media messaging service.