Psychotherapy, Counselling and Coaching is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the therapist and the client, and the particular problems brought forward. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for an active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home.
Psychotherapy can have benefits and difficulties. Since therapy often involves discussing difficult or unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have long-term benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
Our first session will involve an evaluation of your needs and what you hope to achieve through therapy. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include, if you decide to continue with therapy. I will also evaluate whether I am the right professional for your needs. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise.
.After the preliminary session, I work in six-week blocks held on a weekly basis.
Payment - Once an appointment or block of appointments is agreed upon, I will invoice you. Full payment is due for your appointment(s) to be confirmed. Payment is by cash or bank transfer. Paypal is also available at an extra processing fee. I am unable to extend credit.
Cancellations -Please ensure that you are able to commit to your booked sessions as they are non-refundable by default. However, I treat each event individually.
NB: Lifestyle Committments - If your work or lifestyle involves regular travel, shift patterns, etc, please discuss this with me at the outset, so that we can find a mutually acceptable working arrangement and avoid cancellation fees or loss of session(s).
Refunds I do not offer refunds unless I am unable to fulfill a booked and pre-paid session.
If you are attending sessions in West Oxfordshire, please be aware that I do not have a waiting room. Please arrive at the specified time as I am unable to respond any earlier, just as I would not interrupt your session for another early arrival. Sessions are 60-minutes long.
The session will finish at the hour’s end; not sixty minutes after a late start.
The privacy of communications between a client and a psychotherapist is protected by the professional code of ethics and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). I would only release information about our work to others with your written permission. But there are a few exceptions. In all these cases, I would make every attempt to discuss this with you before taking action:
My GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) policy covers what data I might collect or hold about you and how it is stored. I take this seriously and with utmost respect for my clients. Please read as agreement to this contract means you have read and agree to my GDPR Policy.
I may discuss aspects of the work we do together with my supervisor. This is considered good practice within the profession and is to ensure the high standard of my work. I would not reveal your identity or discuss you in any way that could identify you.
This counselling and therapy service is provided in the United Kingdom and is available to UK residents located within the United Kingdom at the time of the service being provided. Any prospective or current client must declare, at the outset, their geographic location and residency if other than in the United Kingdom. All and any therapeutic and counselling service by Deborah Ward is specifically denied to people who live in a country or state other than the UK that requires licensure in that location. It is the responsibility of the client to declare, at the outset, any legal requirements their area of citizenship or residency demands.
Deborah Ward and you, the client, agree that any dispute arising out of this service shall first be resolved by mediation, if possible. This contract was entered into in Oxfordshire County, United Kingdom, and any necessary arbitration or litigation will take place in this county. All terminology is intended for a UK audience; those not familiar with UK psychotherapy and counselling terms should not assume nor construe meaning applicable to a non-UK service, professional qualifications, standards or any other aspect of The Being Well's operations.
I am a Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and abide by the Association Code of Ethics.
These terms and conditions may change from time to time.
If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please discuss these points at your next session.
Deborah Ward