This mutual agreement between the Counsellor & the Client sets out the responsibilities of the counsellor and client in the context of the therapeutic relationship.

I offer person-centred counselling, which is a collaborative approach to psychotherapy in which you as the client are fully trusted and respected. This means that I wholeheartedly believe that you are the one who knows what is best for you when it comes to decisions, changes, or the acceptance of the things that cannot be changed. It is this respect in your personal power that I show in the counselling sessions, which is why I do not give you advice. Instead, person-centred counselling is about building a relationship characterised by mutual trust, unconditional acceptance and empathy: a relationship in which you can feel wholly understood, accepted and prized as and for who you truly are, without me trying to change anything about you. Ideally, this space will allow you to strive towards a more authentic and fulfilling way of being and living your life. This process, however, is not a linear one of “getting better”, which can make the experience particularly difficult.

Each session will go in the direction you feel is the most helpful for you in the moment. You will be able to explore and express any thoughts, feelings or explore aspects of your life. These can be particularly heavy and difficult to share with your friends and family, which is why counselling can offer a uniquely safe and accepting space to talk these through, and to find a way towards personal growth, through your own personal power.

Everything you say in the counselling sessions is confidential, the only exceptions are if I have a reason to believe that you may harm yourself or others. Therefore, exceptions to confidentiality are:

• If I have reason to believe that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm (including any child or vulnerable adult currently at risk of abuse).

• If you let me know about any knowledge of terrorist activity, money laundering or drug trafficking.

• If I receive a court order to appear and give evidence.

In addition, as a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I work in accordance with their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. Due to this, I attend regular supervision to ensure good practice. Over these supervision sessions, I may share some information shared within our sessions, while fully maintaining your anonymity, meaning that you cannot be identified.

Should I have any concerns, I will aim talk to you and ask for your consent before sharing your information if possible, unless there is a reasonable justification not to do so.

Sessions last for 50 minutes, and occur weekly, generally same day and time, although this can be negotiated.

Please do not attend a counselling session if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, except prescribed medication.

For any enquiries or to schedule an appointment, you can reach me via e-mail at info@zsofiatoth-counselling.com.

Contacting between sessions is limited to issues regarding appointments, such as changing or cancelling sessions. The primary form of this is via e-mail, for which my address is info@zsofiatoth-counselling.com.

The fee of each counselling session is £70. Payment for each session is to be received by the end of the day of each session.

If you arrive late for a session, I will unfortunately be unable to extend the finishing time.

If you need to cancel a session, please let me know no later than 24 hours before our session, and ideally more than 48 hours. Cancellation of sessions with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur the full fee.

For ad-hoc bookings (irregular times), please let me know earlier, due to the longer notice periods I have towards the counselling centre. As such, please let me know 4 days before our sessions. Cancellation of ad-hoc session with less than 96 hours’ notice will incur the full fee.

I always aim to give the client as much notice as possible of any holidays, or illness that might prevent me from being available for our scheduled session.

I make brief factual notes after each session; this helps me monitor my work. You can request to see these notes anytime, and you can ask for these notes to be amended if you want something to be changed in them.

Clients are not identifiable from the notes, and they are stored securely and in accordance with GDPR guidelines. I am a data controller registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

I am committed to offer good practice. My insurance includes personal indemnity and public liability. If you are unhappy with the service, you can contact the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), for which you can find guidance here.

I hold an MA degree in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy, and I am a member of the BACP. To ensure good practice, I attend regular supervision and continuing professional development (CPD) trainings.