Terms and Conditions

This document outlines the terms and conditions for your therapy with Mo Counselling. It provides clarity on how we work together to ensure therapy takes place in a safe, ethical, and effective environment.

All clients must read and agree to these terms before starting therapy. You will receive a copy of this document to sign and return. The document covers essential aspects including confidentiality, session structure, cancellations, and data protection.

By agreeing to these terms, you confirm you have read, understood, and accept these conditions. If you have any questions, please discuss them with your therapist before your first session.

Contents

• Your Therapist
• Confidentiality
• Contact Information
• Session Structure
• Cancellation, Rescheduling and Holidays Policy
• Fees
• Duration of Therapy
• Ending Therapy
• Session Conduct
• Unexpected Therapist Absence
• Data Protection Statement (GDPR)
• Social Media Policy
• Legal Jurisdiction

Your Therapist

• Mo Counselling adheres to the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists) code of ethics for Professional Counsellors. All the codes of ethics can be found in more detail on their website.
• Mo Counselling has been DBS checked. Your therapist will only address matters related to the client (child, young person, or adult) and not become involved in any other matters.

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of the therapeutic relationship; all discussions with your therapist during sessions are kept in strictest confidence.
• As a member of their professional organisation, your therapist is required to have regular supervision and will need to discuss their work with their Supervisor. However, they will not disclose your name or any identifying information. Any information shared with a Supervisor is also treated as confidential and subject to the same ethical criteria as therapy.
• If you are receiving treatment from your Doctor for emotional difficulties, it is important that you inform them about your therapy, and vice versa. Your therapist will not communicate with your Doctor without your explicit knowledge and permission.
• Your therapist must break confidentiality if there is convincing evidence that you intend to harm yourself or others. For clients under 18, this may involve informing parents/guardians. For all clients, this may include informing your Doctor, or in serious cases, the Police, emergency services, or other appropriate third parties. Wherever possible and appropriate, you will be informed of this action.
• Your therapist may keep brief session notes, which will be securely stored for three years.
• Occasional audio recordings of sessions may be made for the purpose of professional supervision, but only with your prior knowledge and explicit permission. These recordings are securely stored and destroyed after use.

Contact Information

• Mo Counselling can be contacted by:
  • Phone: 07762738782
  • Email: info@mocounselling.com
• To book appointments, Mo Counselling uses the EasyPractice booking system, available on our website.
• For additional support between sessions, please contact your GP or one of the following organisations:
  • Mind
  • Samaritans
  • Young Minds
  • Childline

Session Structure

• Sessions last for 50 minutes and typically occur once a week, at the same time and day each week.
• The entire session time is reserved for you, whether you attend or not, and your therapist will be present for the full duration.
• If you arrive late, your therapist will see you for the remainder of your allotted time.
• If your circumstances change and the current session time becomes unsuitable, your therapist will make reasonable efforts to accommodate an alternative time.
• Therapy sessions are for individual clients only; no other person will be permitted in the session at any time for any reason.
• Any concerns or issues should be brought to your session, as this forms an important part of the therapeutic process.
• Sessions will be conducted via phone, online, or face-to-face. No therapeutic matters will be discussed over social media.
• Mo Counselling only operates during school term times. If sessions can be arranged outside of regular term times, this will be discussed with you in advance. Some schools have different term time dates, and Mo Counselling will inform you of their specific working dates

Cancellation, Rescheduling and Holidays Policy

• Please provide at least 48 hours' notice if you are unable to attend a session. Your therapist will try to offer an alternative time or date.
• If rescheduling is not possible, or for late cancellations or no-shows, the full fee will be charged for the missed session.
• Your therapist will generally be available except during holidays, training workshops, or conferences. If you miss three consecutive sessions without notification, future appointments will be cancelled, and it will be assumed you no longer require therapy. Your slot will then be offered to someone else.
• If you have paid in advance and miss three sessions without notification, you will not be entitled to a refund.
• If you wish to resume therapy after such a break, you may contact Mo Counselling, though your previous time slot may no longer be available, and you may be placed on a waiting list.
• Your therapist will provide as much notice as possible if they need to cancel a session. Sessions missed due to therapist unavailability will not be charged.

Fees

• The fees for your therapy will depend on how the service is being accessed and paid for (whether as an individual client, through an organisation, or as a family). Your specific fee arrangement will be detailed in your individual written contract.
• All fees are reviewed annually, and at least one month's notice will be given if there are to be any changes to your fee structure.
• Payment is due 1 hour before the session via bank transfer.
• If payments are sent late, the session time will continue with the remaining time we have left.
• A receipt or message confirmation will be given after payment and bank details will be given once counselling agreement is signed.

Duration of Therapy

• The duration of therapy will be negotiated between you and your therapist. You may initially agree to work together for 6 sessions and then review progress.
• The client always has the final decision regarding whether to continue with therapy.

Ending Therapy

• You will typically know when you are ready to conclude therapy and can discuss this with your therapist during a session.
• We request that you provide at least one week's notice before ending therapy, to allow for proper closure. There will be no pressure to continue.

Session Conduct

• Your therapist cannot work with you if you are under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances. If this is found to be the case, the session will be terminated, and you will be charged at the normal rate.
• The therapist reserves the right to terminate therapy if the client does not abide by this agreement or is perceived to be a threat to the therapist's wellbeing. Abusive behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Unexpected Therapist Absence

• In the event of an unplanned absence from practice (due to injury, illness, death, or other reasons), your therapist maintains a detailed Professional Will with instructions for an Executor to inform you and ensure your continued care.
• You may request the names of the Executor and Secondary Executor at any time. You authorise these individuals to access your treatment and financial records only in accordance with the terms of the Professional Will, and only in the event of a significant unplanned absence from practice.

Data Protection Statement (GDPR)

• To work effectively with you, Mo Counselling maintains confidential records about all clients.
• Mo Counselling uses third-party software and applications for client communication. Your contact details and personal information are stored electronically using GDPR-compliant systems and used solely for therapy and communication purposes.
• For the full Privacy Policy detailing the types of data collected, purposes, deletion requests, and storage methods, please visit this page.
• By agreeing to these terms, you consent to your data being stored and processed by Mo Counselling in compliance with GDPR regulations.

Social Media Policy

• Instagram: The professional account @mocounselling posts articles, quotes, and helpful tips. You may follow this page or share posted content, but please be aware that sharing may compromise your confidentiality. The therapist will not follow clients back and will not offer personal support through Instagram.
• LinkedIn: You may view the therapist's professional profile, but client connection requests will not be accepted.
• Communication via Social Media: Do not message your therapist on Instagram or LinkedIn, as these platforms are not secure and are not actively monitored. For between-session contact, please use telephone, text, or email.
• Online Reviews: You may find Mo Counselling on various platforms (e.g. the Mo Counselling website, Google, BACP, Psychology Today and BAATN). While you have the right to leave reviews on these sites, please remember they are public forums and any information shared could reveal your identity. To protect your privacy, consider using a pseudonym and alternative email address.

Legal Jurisdiction

• Attendance at any consultations, treatments, or sessions is subject to and governed by English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.