Counselling Agreement
1. Welcome
This agreement explains how we will work together and is intended to create clarity, safety and trust within our counselling relationship. Please read it carefully and raise any questions.
2. About Me
My name is Ben Blackman. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. BACP Register Number: 421273. I undertake regular supervision, continuing professional development and maintain appropriate professional insurance.
3. Finding the Right Counsellor
I believe it is important that you find the right counsellor for you. The introductory call and initial session allow us both to consider whether working together feels appropriate. If not, I will do my best to help you identify alternative support.
4. The Purpose of Counselling
Counselling offers a confidential space to explore thoughts, feelings, experiences and relationships. It is a collaborative process. Counselling can be supportive and inspiring but may also sometimes feel challenging. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed and meaningful change often takes time.
5. My Approach
I am an Integrative Counsellor with a Person-Centred foundation. Depending on your needs I may draw upon Psychodynamic Theory, Attachment Theory, Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Grief & Loss approaches. I work at your pace and aim to help you better understand yourself and your experiences.
6. What You Can Expect From Me
A safe and non-judgemental environment, respect and empathy
Maintenance of professional boundaries and confidentiality within agreed limits
Regular supervision and ethical practice
Openness if I believe another service may be more appropriate
I will work within the limits of my competence, experience and training.
7. What I Ask Of You
Attend sessions where possible and provide notice of cancellations
Communicate openly and respect agreed boundaries
Take responsibility for decisions and actions taken outside counselling sessions
8. Sessions and Appointments
Sessions are normally 50 minutes long and usually take place weekly unless agreed otherwise. Counselling may be provided face-to-face in Croston, Blackburn, Burnley or online. Sessions will normally finish at the agreed time even if you arrive late.
9. Initial Session
The first session provides an opportunity for us to discuss this Counselling Agreement, answer any questions and begin exploring what has brought you to counselling. It also allows both of us to consider whether working together feels appropriate before committing to ongoing counselling.
10. Confidentiality
Everything discussed during counselling is treated as confidential and will not normally be shared with others except in the circumstances outlined below.
11. Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be broken if there is serious concern regarding risk of harm to yourself or others, safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult, legal obligations, court orders or other situations where disclosure is required by law. Risk of serious harm to self or others, safeguarding concerns and legal/statutory requirements may require disclosure. Wherever possible I will discuss this with you first.
Risk of serious harm to self or others
If a client discloses an imminent, credible, and life-threatening plan to die by suicide or inflict severe, violent harm on an identifiable third party.
Safeguarding and child protection
When there is disclosure or reasonable suspicion of current abuse, neglect, or significant harm involving a child or a vulnerable adult.
Legal and statutory requirements
Under UK law, counsellors are legally mandated to break confidentiality if they receive a formal court order requiring disclosure, or if they receive information related to terrorism, drug trafficking, or money laundering under specific criminal acts.
12. Risk and Safety
I do not provide a crisis or emergency service. If you require urgent support please contact your GP, NHS 111, Samaritans or Emergency Services. In serious safeguarding situations I may need to contact appropriate services.
13. Clinical Supervision
As required by the BACP I attend regular clinical supervision. Client work may be discussed anonymously in order to support safe and effective practice. Supervisors are bound by professional confidentiality.
14. Record Keeping
I keep brief, factual counselling notes and administrative records. These records support continuity of care, professional accountability and safe practice. Records are stored securely and retained for seven years following the end of counselling before being securely destroyed. Further information is available in the Privacy Notice.
15. Online Counselling
For online counselling, both parties should ensure privacy and confidentiality. Sessions must not be recorded without prior agreement. You are responsible for ensuring that you attend online sessions from a private location where you are unlikely to be overheard or interrupted. If technology fails, we will attempt to reconnect or agree an alternative arrangement.
16. Contact Between Sessions
Contact between sessions should usually relate to administration, appointments or payments. Therapeutic work takes place within counselling sessions rather than by email, text message or social media communication. Emails, text messages and telephone calls may not be monitored continuously and should not be used for urgent support or crisis situations.
17. Social Media
I do not maintain personal social media accounts. I do maintain a professional Instagram account associated with The Bridge Counselling & Wellbeing Practice. I do not accept friend requests or follow requests from current or former clients. No content I publish will ever be based upon individual counselling sessions or client disclosures. If content appears similar to aspects of our work together, this would be entirely coincidental.
18. Contact Outside Counselling Sessions
If we encounter one another outside counselling, I will take my lead from you. If you acknowledge me, I will happily do the same. If you choose not to, I will respect this and will not approach you. I will not identify you as a client or engage in counselling-related conversations in public settings.
19. Ending Counselling
You are free to end counselling at any time. Where possible I encourage an ending session to review our work. I may also recommend ending or pausing counselling where another service would be more appropriate.
20. Complaints
If you have concerns, I encourage you to discuss them with me first. If a concern cannot be resolved directly, you may request a copy of my Complaints Procedure. Guidance may also be sought through the BACP.
21. Agreement
By signing below we both confirm we have read and understood this Counselling Agreement and commit to working together on this basis.
22. Signatures
Your Name: ______________________________
Your Signature: __________________________ Date: __________
Counsellor Name: ______________________________
Counsellor Signature: ______________________ Date: __________