1. Introduction

Welcome to St Martin’s Counselling. By engaging with our services, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

2. Services Provided

We offer individual adult counselling face to face, online and over the telephone. We have two routes into the service:

• A fast-track route where you book yourself in for an in-person consultation—a £15 fee applies
• Or you can complete an online consultation form which will be reviewed by one of our team. To avoid delays in being seen please provide as much information as possible.

3. Qualifications and Accreditation

All out therapists are registered members of various governing bodies such the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP). Therapists are either qualified or accumulating clinical hours towards qualification—all trainee therapists have a ‘Fitness to Practice’ Certificate from their training provider.

4. Confidentiality

We adhere to the ethical guidelines and professional standards set by relevant professional bodies such as BACP, UKCP. Information shared during sessions will be treated as confidential, except in the following circumstances:

• Legal Obligation: Where disclosure is required by law (e.g., safeguarding concerns, court order).
• Risk of Harm: If the counsellor in conjunction with the Risk Management Team believes there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others. In such cases, we may need to contact relevant authorities or emergency service.
• Supervision: Counsellors are required to engage in regular clinical supervision to ensure best practice. During supervision, client anonymity is maintained.
• Client Consent: With your informed consent, we may share information with other professionals involved in your care.

5. Fees and Payment

• Our heavily subsidised standard fee is £25 per session, however if you are on benefits the fee is £15
• Payment is due on the day of the session
• We accept cash (face-to-face only), and online payment using Stripe.
• A cancellation policy of 48 hours’ notice applies. Late cancellations or missed appointments will incur a fee.

6. Appointments

• Appointments are scheduled at mutually agreed times and continue at a set time and day for 50 minutes a session.
• We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred appointment times.
• Please inform us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment.

7. Code of Conduct

Both the counsellor and the client are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally during sessions. This includes:

• Attending sessions on time.
• Being honest and open in communication.
• Respecting boundaries.
• Not acting in an aggressive or abusive manner.

8. Data Protection

We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal data will be processed and stored securely. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website.

9. Complaints Procedure

If you have any concerns or complaints about the service provided, please discuss them with your counsellor in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can speak to the service manager who will attempt to resolve your complaint. Should this not be possible they will provide you with the formal Complaints Procedure.

10. Disclaimer

Counselling is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult with your GP or other healthcare professional.

11. Exclusion Criteria

• Immediate Risk to Self or Others
  • Clients experiencing active suicidal intent, self-harm requiring urgent medical attention, or plans to harm others.
  • Individuals who are undergoing court or legal proceedings which involves harm to others or who have a conviction of harm to others such as violent or child offences.
  • Individuals who have a history of criminal violence towards others or indicating high risk to others
• Severe Mental Health Disorders
  • Conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe bipolar disorder requiring specialist intervention.
  • Individuals with any diagnosis of Personality Disorder including EUPD as well as traits of anti-social personality/ psychopathy/ sociopathy.
• Severe Substance Misuse
  • Active drug or alcohol dependency where primary treatment should be medical detox or rehabilitation services.
• Crisis & Engagement
  • Individuals who are going through crises; not socially or emotionally stable enough to engage in weekly
• Severe Eating Disorders
  • Clients with conditions such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Severe PTSD or Trauma
  • If a client requires specialist trauma therapy or prolonged exposure therapy.
• Underage Clients Without Parental Consent
  • If the service requires parental consent, those under the age threshold without it may be excluded.
• Ongoing Legal Cases
  • Clients seeking counselling specifically related to active legal proceedings (e.g., family court cases, criminal investigations) may require specialist support.
• Clients Requiring Reports for Court or Assessments
• Trainee Therapists
  • We do not normally provide therapy for trainee’s as part of their training course
• Clients Outside the UK
• Language Barriers
  • If no suitable interpreters or language support is available.