Contract

✅ The Short Version – Key Things to Know

Please read the full agreement below, but here are the essentials up front:

🐾 Dogs: I work from home and my two elderly, gentle dogs may be encountered. If you prefer not to meet them, I offer online sessions or can arrange for them to be kept inside.
🔁 Cancellations: Less than 24 hours’ notice usually incurs a 50–100% fee.
🔒 Confidentiality: Sessions are confidential, unless there’s a serious risk to you or others, or I am legally required to act. I always aim to inform you if this ever applies.
💬 Therapy with Me: I’m warm, practical, and flexible in how I work — drawing on counselling, EFT, mindfulness, coaching and creative techniques tailored to your needs

About Me

Thank you for choosing to work with me. Please read this agreement before our first session. You’re welcome to ask questions at any time.

I offer a safe, flexible space to explore emotions and experiences using counselling, coaching, mindfulness, EFT and creative techniques — always adapted to your needs. I may share insights or suggestions for reflection, not advice. We’ll regularly review your goals together. I work in a relaxed way from my home therapy annex.

I’m a qualified counsellor, EFT and mindfulness teacher with over 30 years of experience working with children and families. I am accredited, and a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCS23-00264). I am fully insured, with an enhanced DBS-check and I am also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ZB844611)

Sessions , Fees, Cancellations & Gaps

Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly at a regular time with options for face-to-face, online, hybrid or over the telephone. The fees are £60 (in-person or hybrid), £55 (online/phone). BACS payments are due 24 hours in advance; cash due at the start of the session. Price changes: you will be given 4+ weeks’ notice

If there is less than 24 hours’ notice, depending on circumstances, 50% of fee is due (first cancellation), thereafter 100% of fee usually applies. There is some discretion as I realise people are sometimes sick and cannot attend. However, if there are more than three short-notice cancellations within a six month period or if there are more than three weeks of gaps in therapy, where sessions have not been ‘put on hold’, the therapy may be ended. You would always be welcome to return when ready.

Confidentiality, Records & Privacy

Sessions are confidential unless I must act to protect you, others, or animals, or comply with legal obligations (e.g. including safeguarding, terrorism, serious undisclosed crime, drugs, fraud). I discuss my work with a clinical supervisor to ensure ethical practice and may also share information with my insurer or professional body if needed. I’ll let you know if confidentiality needs to be broken, where possible. Neither of us may record sessions without written permission.

I keep brief, secure notes for 7 years (or until a child turns 25). You may request copies by providing ID and an administrative fee which is the standard session fee at the time of the request. My ICO registration number is ZB844611. My property has CCTV on the drive and at the entrances/garden for safety. See my Privacy Policy for full details

If I become seriously ill or die, my clinical supervisor will be passed my records and contact you and may refer you onward to another therapist. They’ll store your details in line with the requirements above and securely destroy them in line with GDPR.

Emergencies & Risk

Copies of the risk assessment and safeguarding policy can be requested. We may work together to create a personalised safety plan if needed. If I believe you or others are at immediate risk, I may contact emergency services without your permission. Your next of kin would only be contacted in a medical emergency during session. Under 18s: I would also contact the signing parent/guardian in such cases. Therapy is not suitable as a substitute for crisis support. You agree to seek urgent help from your GP or services such as: Samaritans (116123) or Worcestershire Crisis Line (0808 196 9127). Always call 999 in an emergency. Please do keep me updated about any feelings of crisis you are experiencing or experienced in between sessions so I can help to keep you safe, by ensuring sessions are tailored appropriately to your needs.

Ending Therapy

I may end therapy due to unpaid fees, inappropriate behaviour, ethical concerns, or if I believe another therapist would be better suited for your best interests. I will explain and offer onward referral, where appropriate, and/or if this would not compromise anyone else’s privacy. You may end therapy at any time without cost or needing to give any reason, although it is often helpful to end therapy with a closing session, you are not obliged to uptake a final session.

I am usually away one week every 5–6 weeks. Online sessions are offered during this time — you are not charged if you decline. I also take around three longer breaks per year and may offer one online session during each to avoid longer gaps in your therapy. You do not have to uptake the offer.

Feedback & Complaints

I invite feedback regularly — particularly after the first three sessions where we will both review if we feel there is a good match and longer term therapy will be useful. You can raise concerns at any time and suggest any changes you would like. The short review at the end of the third session is free. If we can’t resolve a concern, and you feel this contract has been breached or I have caused you harm, you may contact my professional body, the NCPS (NCS23-00264), to follow their complaints procedure.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for your own progress and decisions. Please attend on time and cancel with as much notice as possible. Please note that payment is required 24 hours in advance of sessions or at the start of sessions if paying by cash. Please limit contact between sessions to session admin or key concerns. It is important to let me know if you’re feeling in crisis in your session or have been in crisis between sessions. For online sessions, ensure a private, undistracted space

Other Information

Therapy is not a substitute for medical advice — consult your GP as needed. Please share relevant medical details with me. I may share resources my own and other links to relevant materials. I may earn from shared Amazon links as I am an Amazon Associate. You must always take responsibility for assessing the value of anything presented - I never provide advice because only you know what is truly best for you. Website and shared content written by me is copyrighted – please do not share onwards or alter. Misuse may result in action. This agreement is reviewed at least yearly and any changes will be discussed with you in session. Significant, material changes will also be notified by email. Either of us may also request changes to the contract at any time. If we cannot agree on changes, either of us can terminate the contract, without notice. My address and payment details are provided following our initial phone contact to agree session times.

A Note About My Dogs

I work from home, where my two elderly, friendly dogs may be in or near the therapy space. Many clients find them calming, but I understand not everyone is comfortable with dogs. If you have allergies or would prefer the dogs not to be present, please let me know. I can offer a time when they’ll be out or offer online sessions if needed. While I take care to keep the space calm, I can’t take responsibility for reactions, contact including uninvited dog licks and expressions of love and/or accidental tripping. Please take care when entering or leaving if the dogs are present.

Please tick or delete to indicate your preference:
[ ] I am happy to visit when dogs are on site
[ ] I prefer dogs not to be present

Consent & Signatures

By signing, you confirm you agree to these terms and accept that decisions you make — and their consequences — are your own responsibility. I cannot be held liable for your choices or decisions.
Please keep a copy or photo of this signed agreement for your records.

Signed (Therapist): Dionne Powell
(Dated as per email sent)

Signed (Client): Name (type)
Date:

For Under-18s: Parent/Guardian Consent

✔ I consent to this agreement and for Dionne to work with my child
✔ My child understands the options around therapy and agrees to counselling with Dionne
✔ I understand I must stay on site while my child is working with Dionne
✔ I consent to 1:1 work while I remain nearby (delete if not agreed)
✔ I confirm I have legal authority to sign on their behalf and that another parent’s signature is not required.

Signed (Parent/Guardian): Name:
Date: