​Lisa Megahey - Counsellor & Psychotherapist (Feelwhatyoufeel)* Agreement
 
You must be 18 years or older to use this service**.  Counselling, Psychotherapy and CBT may not be suitable if you have an enduring mental illness or experiencing extreme distress, please refer to the Emergencies section of this agreement for further details regarding this matter. In the event of you needing emergency support during your work with this service, the therapist*** will request your permission to contact your GP or recommend alternative methods of support to ensure that you receive the best level of care. This service can never make any guarantees for any improvement in your psychological health. This service does not provide financial or medical diagnostic advice. In addition this service is unable to offer advice on medication. 

Confidentiality

Whatever you write or talk about within any Counselling, Psychotherapy & CBT session is confidential between you and your therapist; however there are exceptions to this:

1/ If you were to disclose harm to self or others

When considering safeguarding measures if you were to mention that you were planning to hurt yourself or others, the therapist would firstly raise her concerns with you and then the therapist may need to encourage you to seek help from another professional for example your doctor. If you were not willing to do this and the therapist felt you were at immediate risk to yourself or others then the therapist may have to seek help on your behalf from the necessary emergency services.  In addition to this the therapist would also consult with her supervisor.

Please note that the therapist requires GP details before contracting with new clients. A client's GP will only be contacted regarding the above. In addition to this the therapist will need to seek verification of identity in some situations 

2/ If you were to disclose criminal activity

Criminal activity is a Police matter and so may result in disclosure both to them and to the therapist’s supervisor.

3/ If the therapist is required by law to break confidentiality

There is certain legislation which favours disclosure, for example regarding drug trafficking, terrorism and money laundering. If you were to mention during any Counselling or Psychotherapy sessions about involvement in such criminal activity then the therapist would have to immediately consult with her supervisor and to the necessary authorities with regards to this matter.  

4/ Therapist’s supervision

As part of continuing professional development the therapist has regular supervision like most therapists’ do in line with the ethical considerations and requirements of the profession. When the therapist talks about clients during supervision she only uses client numbers/first names, this is done in such a way that they are not identifiable – the purpose of supervision is mainly to cover the therapist’s process, finding new ways forward to support clients and the therapist, ethical considerations and/  or safeguarding.

Data Protection & Privacy
 
The therapist collects information about you when you book an appointment for therapeutic treatment; visit the practice for treatment, whether contact is face to face, online, on paper, by email or over the phone. The information you give to the therapist may include your name, address, email address, phone number, relevant history which may include medical background, payment and transaction history and IP address.
 
This service has rigorous data protection and security in place to store and prevent unauthorised access. This service will not share your information with any third party (excluding the therapist's supervisor, please see above regarding confidentiality and supervision) without your consent unless in cases of immediate risk of substantial harm to self or others, or under legal requirement e.g. terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering or via court order for disclosure.  Your records and financial transactions are kept securely for seven years after which are destroyed in a confidential manner.  
 
 
Third Party

Due to confidentiality once the therapist has contracted with a client or couple clients the therapist is unable to open a dialogue with a third party regarding the client/couple without firstly informing their client/s and seeking their consent. Therefore the therapist is unable to talk with a third party in person or through other communication regarding the client. If a third party makes contact with the therapist then their client will be notified immediately. Opening up a dialogue with a third party without a client's consent will only happen if there is an immediate risk to the client, therapist or other. 

Harassment 

Harassment of any kind whether from a client, couple clients or by third party will not be tolerated and will result in firstly contacting a supervisor and then if necessary will be reported to the Police.  All incidents will be logged and recorded and may result in the perpetrator/s being prosecuted.

Emergencies

As mentioned at the start Counselling, Psychotherapy & CBT may not be suitable if you have an enduring mental illness or experiencing extreme distress. In the event of you needing emergency support during your work with this service, the therapist will request your permission to contact your GP or recommend alternative methods of support to ensure that you receive the best level of care.
 
In between sessions if you are feeling in acute distress or needing emergency support it is important for you to contact your GP or the A&E Department at your local hospital.
Payments

Payments by cash on the day of the booked session is acceptable, via PayPal in advance of a session or through a mobile card reader at the practice. Further details about payment can be found at: www.feelwhatyoufeelcounselling.com Client/s must understand that there is no possibility for the return of fees paid after sessions have taken place, therefore any concerns regarding this matter must be raised before making a payment.

Appointment Changes, Missed Sessions and Cancellations

If you are unable to make an appointment please contact the therapist by telephone on:  +44(0)7572554185.  Missed sessions are chargeable without 24 hours’ notice (notice period excludes weekends).

Abusive or Sexual Behaviour

This service will not tolerate abusive or sexual behaviour of any kind and has the right to terminate contact during counselling & psychotherapy sessions. Clients must not be under the influence of alcohol or substance abuse of any kind during sessions and the therapist has the right to terminate the session if this is the case. Refunds will not be given for sessions ending this way.

Gifts & Personal Relationships

The therapeutic relationship is extremely important in Counselling, Psychotherapy and CBT, therefore this service will try to create a warm and empathic atmosphere in which you will feel safe to share what may be troubling you. However the therapeutic relationship is still a professional one and therefore no personal relationship can take place between the client/s and therapist. The therapist will not meet the client/s outside the Counselling, Psychotherapy and CBT sessions and can only accept occasional small gifts or greeting cards. Alternatively a charitable donation can be made to ‘Epilepsy Action’ at: www.epilepsy.org.uk.

Ethical Considerations

This service works under the guidelines set out by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) in their Ethical Framework. To download the complete Ethical Framework in PDF format please go to the BACP website at: http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/

On Site Parking 

Users of the on-site parking do so at their risk. The therapist will not accept responsibility for any damage, accidents or losses. 

 Telephone Calls to the Therapist (Text Message or Voicemail Only) +44(0) 7572554185

Please leave your name, contact details (telephone or email) and which times suit you for the therapist to make contact. Due to the varied work pattern of the therapist she is only available to receive text messages and voicemail Monday – Wednesdays 10am – 8pm

By signing below you are in agreement with the terms and conditions of Feelwhatyoufeel Counselling & Psychotherapy 

Name/s:.........................................................................................................................(I/we am/are 18 years of age or over) 
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​* Feelwhatyoufeel is the business identity of Lisa Megahey ** The Word ‘service’ describes the services of Lisa Megahey under her business identity Feelwhatyoufeel *** The word ‘therapist’ describes both Lisa Megahey’s training and qualification background as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist.