Therapist Details
Name: Verity Joyce
Email: hello@richmondbalance.co.uk
Address: Richmond Balance, Portland House, Belmont Business Park, Durham, DH1 1TW
My Work:
I work to the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the Health and Care Professions Council and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. A copy of the code of practice and ethics are available on request, or may be viewed on the websites:
Session Duration
Sessions are an hour, although I reserve the right to change the time for therapeutic reasons. You can also request changes if you think it would be beneficial for your therapy and conditions.
If for any reason you are late for a session, I will see you for time left, but will be unable to work beyond the agreed time due to other clients who may be waiting.
Session Fees
Online fees are charged at £70 per session (1 hour)
Face to face (indoors and outdoor/'walk' and talk): £75 per session (1 hour)
Email: 500 words for £35.00 (approximately 30 minutes to read, process, reflect and reply)
Payment is required at least 24 hours before the session.
Block booking:
Online: 6 sessions for £360.
Face to face: 6 sessions for £390
Email: 6 sessions (approximately 30 minutes of my time)* for £180
*If email is used on its' own, the sessions are to be used within 3 months. If these are used alongside another form of counselling: use within 6 months.
If you pay for a single assessment and then choose to proceed with sessions under the block booking agreement; we will honour the 6 session fee and deduct the initial fee and session from the remainder of the block booking fee/total number of sessions. For example, if you were to pay £70 for an initial online session and then chose to continue with therapy: you can pay £290 for a further 5 sessions (£360 minus the initial £70)
I review fees annually and will inform you at least 30 days before any change in fees that will impact you.
Session Payment
Must be made before the session (a minimum of 24 hours previously) either by bank transfer (BACS) or PayPal.
Receipts/invoices are available on request.
BACS details:
Name: Richmond Balance Sort Code: 23-69-72 Acc. No. : 25692165
Paypal: https://paypal.me/richmondbalance
Please see cancellation note regarding use of Paypal and refunds.
The cost of therapy includes any written materials I may supply, but does not include the cost of any books, mobile apps or other strategies that I might suggest you find helpful.
Cancellations
It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies, happen, that may mean you need to cancel the appointment last minute or not attend and you cannot let me know. On these occasions it is at my (therapist) decision if a fee will be charged.
In general, however, if you give less than 48 hours’ notice of your intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session, or if there is a repeat pattern of cancellations/DNA’s (Did Not Attend) I reserve the right to charge in full for that session.
If you decide to cancel any remaining block booked sessions, you will receive a refund for all sessions that have over 48hours notice. If you have paid via Paypal, you will receive a refund minus the charge for using Paypal (this will have been taken by Paypal on the original payment).
If a health or insurance company is paying for your treatment, they may make you liable for the charge. Your treatment sessions could be suspended dependant on their policy.
Non-attendance
If you do not attend a session without any notice, no refund will be given. If no payment is received for a session your file will be placed on hold and your session day and time may be given to a waiting client.
Session Venue:
Sessions will take place online. A link will be sent no less than 24 hours before the session.
Technology
Technology can sometimes impact the therapy, and attendance. We will discuss this at the first session. If you are not able to connect via the link, please send an email to hello@richmondbalance.co.uk or a text message to 07794372492 to assist in solving the technology issue.
We will use Zoom as the platform for therapy. Please see their privacy page regarding their operations: https://zoom.us/gdpr
Reviews
We will review sessions regularly approximately every four sessions to ensure you feel you are getting the most out of therapy. You are not tied into any commitment you can end sessions at any time, however please see ‘endings’ below. If I consider your requirements beyond my competence and abilities, I reserve the right to end our contract. This will be discussed in the session and recommendations would be provided.
Confidentiality
Your therapy and personal information are kept securely. Information but not names will be shared with my supervisor who is also BACP accredited and who regularly reviews my practice.
Confidentiality will be maintained within the codes of ethics and legal requirements. Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that I, as your therapist, might break the law or where withholding information means I would breach the codes of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if I consider there is a risk you may harm yourself or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for your wellbeing or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. In such an event where I am considering breaching confidentiality, you will normally be consulted first. This will be documented subsequently, in your notes.
In the case of disclosure regarding potential acts of terrorism, money laundering or drug trafficking, confidentiality will be breached and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as I am obligated to contact relevant authorities.
Recording of Sessions
We agree that both parties will not be digitally recording sessions without the other persons’ knowledge or agreement.
Contact Between Sessions
Our therapeutic relationship will remain a professional one at all times, the boundaries of which (such as contact outside of our sessions) can be agreed between us during our sessions. This will include no personal contact on social media, however you may wish to be aware of and follow the Richmond Balance social media pages.
We will agree a safety plan and other contacts, if you need this support in place.
Endings and Breaks
Endings – therapy can at times be demanding, frustrating, and emotional. You may at times find this process very difficult, and feel the need to end therapy. Your feedback on the process will be asked for at the end of each session and if you feel unhappy with any aspects of the treatment being offered please do try and communicate this. This gives us both the chance to address and resolve issues. In the normal course of events you will probably know when you are ready to finish therapy, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this.
I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the/our work together. This would be fully discussed at that time. Please note any threats or acts of violence will invalidate this agreement and therapy will stop immediately if I am personally threatened. Sessions will not take place if you arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed medication. I am prepared to work with you however, to understand your want and need to take alcohol or over use medication.
You will be notified of any holidays to be taken by myself well in advance. However, there may also be occasions when sessions may be cancelled because of illness or because of attending training sessions or meetings. I will try to give you as much notice as possible of any cancellation, and will offer an alternative time. Therefore, please let me know of any change in your contact details.
Information we collect about you and how we use it
Upon starting therapy, basic personal information will be collected for contact and identification reasons. During our therapy meetings, an assessment of your psychological health will be completed, and notes will be taken during sessions. These will include personal and sensitive details about your life. The assessment and notes are used solely for the delivery of a therapy service to you.
Your rights
You have rights relating to the information I hold to verify the accuracy or to ask for them to be supplemented, deleted, updated or corrected. You have the right to request a copy of the information that I hold about you. If you would like a copy of some or all of your personal information, please email or write to me via the contact details stated in this agreement. Information will be provided to you within 30 days.
We want to make sure that your information is accurate and up to date. You may ask me to correct or remove information you think is inaccurate. You have a right to request the transfer of your data to another individual or company.
How long we keep your information for - data retention
Your information is kept for the time necessary to provide the therapy service requested, however outside of this I will hold your details and session notes for a period of 7 years following the end of treatment to comply with legal obligations that are placed upon me by my insurers. In the case of a child under 13 then records will be kept 7 years after they reach the age of majority (18). After this date, all data will be securely deleted.
Sharing of data
There may be times where your information needs to be shared with 3rd parties. I will explicitly ask your consent before doing so, and the data will be sent to 3rd parties securely.
Security of your data
Information will be kept securely and confidentially in line with the data retention policy as stated above.
Lawful basis for processing your information
The lawful basis for my holding and using your information is in relation to the delivery of a contract to you as a health care professional. As an accredited member of the BACP I operate under a strict code of confidentiality.
Unhappy or Complaints
In the event of you being unhappy with the service you receive, please discuss this with me. If you feel unable to do so or do not receive satisfactory resolution, then you have the right to complain to my professional body.