1. Who this applies to
This agreement applies to all clients of Clearer Perspectives, whether seen in person or by Zoom, and regardless of referral route — self-referral, NHS-commissioned, or via an organisation such as the Centre for Autism and ADHD (CAAS) or company. Where a client is also seen through a commissioned group (e.g. a CAAS group), the relevant points below are covered for that context too.
2. The service
- Individual counselling/psychotherapy, and/or group work, delivered in person or via Zoom.
- Session length: [e.g. 60 minutes], frequency: [e.g. weekly], reviewed periodically rather than fixed indefinitely.
- Whether the work is time-limited or open-ended is agreed and reviewed with each client, not assumed.
3. Fees and cancellation
- Fee: amount and method of payment agreed individually.
- Cancellation/non-attendance policy: [Cancellation is handled flexibly and adjusted to individual circumstances, including where attendance difficulties relate to a client’s condition, rather than a fixed fee applying automatically.].
- Where sessions are NHS- or other provider-commissioned, fees may be handled directly with the commissioner or company rather than the client — it will be confirmed which applies before the first session.
4. Confidentiality and its limits
What’s discussed in sessions is confidential, with the following exceptions, all of which are explained to the client in plain terms:
- Anonymised or pseudonymised discussion with my clinical supervisor, as required by the BACP Ethical Framework.
- Serious risk of harm to the client or another person — I would always try to discuss this with the client first wherever possible.
- A court order requiring disclosure.
- Where a session is commissioned by a third-party organisation (NHS, CAAS), limited information arising from that work may need to be shared with the commissioner as part of the arrangement — see Section 6.
5. Commissioned work (NHS / CAAS)
For NHS-commissioned individual work: only anonymised billing identifiers are shared with the commissioner as standard; clinical content is not routinely shared.
For CAAS-commissioned group work, including group risk assessments: relevant information arising from that work may need to be shared with CAAS as part of the arrangement under which the service is provided. This is discussed with the client/participant where possible and limited to what is necessary.
6. Records
- Clinical notes are kept as brief, personal, coded shorthand rather than detailed narrative — intended as prompts/aide-memoire, and in keeping with data minimisation principles.
- If a client or a court lawfully requests these records, I would provide an explanation of any shorthand or notation used.
- Full detail on what’s collected, retention periods, and client rights is in the Privacy Notice, which every client has access to.
7. Sessions by Zoom
- Client needs a private space, stable connection, and working camera/microphone.
- No platform guarantees 100% security — discussed as part of contracting, not assumed understood.
- Reconnection plan: attempt to reconnect via Zoom first, then telephone.
- No recording of sessions without prior mutual agreement.
8. How this agreement is reached
This agreement is reached verbally with each client, not by signature. A verbal agreement carries the same legal weight as a written one. The pace, format and language used are adapted to the client — this is a deliberate accessibility decision, not a shortcut, and reflects the fact that standard paperwork can be a barrier or a source of distress for some clients.
A written, plain-language summary (see the separate “Working Together” template) is offered — not automatically given — and only provided if the client indicates they’d find it helpful. Clients can decline, and can ask for one later even if they initially said no.
Whichever way it’s reached, a dated record is kept
9. Review and ending
- The agreement is revisited periodically, particularly for open-ended work, or if anything material changes (fees, referral route, mode of delivery).
- Clients can end sessions, or change frequency, at any time by telling me.
- If I need to end sessions unexpectedly, I will explain why as soon as possible and help the client think through next steps.
10. Complaints
Clients are told they can raise concerns with me directly in the first instance, and that BACP (www.bacp.co.uk) can be contacted if a concern isn’t resolved between us. I am a registered, accredited member (MBACP Accred), subject to the BACP Professional Conduct Procedure.
Record of Agreement — recorded per client in therapist notes
