Please read these terms carefully before booking a session. They set out what you can expect from working with Hope Wellbeing Counselling, and what is expected of you in turn. By booking a consultation, session, supervision hour or training place, you are agreeing to these terms.
If anything here is unclear, please ask — you're welcome to raise questions before booking, and nothing here is meant to feel like small print designed to catch you out.
1. Who We Are
Hope Wellbeing Counselling is the private practice of Tracie Turner, an integrative counsellor based in St. Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent, offering in-person, Walk and Talk and online counselling, clinical supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors, and training courses. Tracie is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), membership number [BACP membership number], and works within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
2. Who These Terms Apply To
These terms apply to all adult clients (aged 18 and over) booking counselling sessions, supervisees booking clinical supervision, and attendees booking a place on a training course or workshop. Where a service is intended for a different audience, this will be made clear at the time of booking, along with any additional terms that apply.
3. Free Initial Consultation
New counselling clients are offered a free, no-obligation initial consultation. This gives us both the chance to talk about what has brought you to counselling and to consider whether we are a good fit to work together. There is no charge for this session and no obligation to continue afterwards.
4. Booking Appointments
Sessions are booked directly with Tracie, by the method agreed between you (for example, by email, phone or the enquiry form on this website). A regular time slot will usually be held for ongoing clients, on the understanding that it remains reserved for you each week.
5. Fees and Payment
Session fees are confirmed with you before your first paid session and will not change without reasonable advance notice. Payment is due [confirm payment timing, e.g. "at the time of your session" or "by bank transfer within 48 hours of your session"], by [confirm accepted payment method(s), e.g. bank transfer]. If a payment is missed, this will be raised with you directly rather than acted on without warning.
6. Cancellations and Non-Attendance
Life happens, and reasonable notice of cancellation is always appreciated. If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, please give at least [confirm notice period, e.g. "48 hours'"] notice where possible. Sessions cancelled with less notice than this, or missed without notice, may still be charged in full, as the time will have been reserved exclusively for you. Any exceptions (for example, in the case of illness or emergency) will always be considered sympathetically and handled on a case-by-case basis.
7. Confidentiality
What you share in sessions is treated as confidential. Notes are kept securely, in line with data protection law, and are not shared with anyone outside the therapeutic relationship without your knowledge, except in the limited circumstances described below. If Tracie is in clinical supervision (a normal and required part of ethical practice), your situation may be discussed in general terms to support the quality of the work — always without using identifying details unless there is a specific safeguarding reason to do so.
8. Limits to Confidentiality
Confidentiality is not absolute. There are certain situations in which it may be necessary to break confidentiality, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework and legal requirements around safeguarding. These include (but are not limited to):
- Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or to another person.
- Where a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm.
- Where disclosure is required by law, or ordered by a court.
- Where required under counter-terrorism or anti-money-laundering legislation.
Wherever possible, any decision to share information outside of a session would be discussed with you first, and only the minimum necessary information would be shared, with the appropriate person or authority.
9. Not a Crisis or Emergency Service
Hope Wellbeing Counselling is not a crisis service and is not monitored outside of sessions. If you are in crisis or immediate danger, please call 999, go to your nearest A&E, or contact the Samaritans free on 116 123 (available 24 hours a day). If you feel you may be at risk between sessions, please let Tracie know so this can be discussed and planned for together.
10. Client Responsibilities
To get the most from your sessions, please arrive on time (or log in on time, for online sessions), let Tracie know as early as possible if you need to cancel or rearrange, and attend sessions in a private space where you feel able to speak freely, particularly for online or telephone work. For Walk and Talk sessions, please wear appropriate footwear and let Tracie know in advance of any mobility considerations.
11. Ending Therapy
You are free to end your work together at any time; you are never obliged to continue. Where possible, it is helpful — for both of you — to have a final session to close the work in a considered way, but this is entirely your choice. Tracie may also, on rare occasions, conclude that she is not the right fit for your particular needs; if so, she will discuss this with you directly and, where appropriate, help you find a more suitable alternative.
12. Supervision Clients
Clinical supervision is offered to trainee and qualified counsellors and operates under a separate supervision agreement, which covers the specific responsibilities of supervisor and supervisee, including the limits of supervisory confidentiality in relation to fitness-to-practise concerns. Where anything in the supervision agreement differs from these general terms, the supervision agreement takes precedence for that relationship.
13. Training Courses and Workshops
Bookings for training courses and workshops are confirmed once payment (or a booking fee, where applicable) has been received. Course dates, content and pricing are as described at the time of booking. If a course needs to be rescheduled or cancelled by Hope Wellbeing Counselling, you will be offered a full refund or a transfer to a future date, whichever you prefer.
14. Complaints
If you are ever unhappy with any part of your experience, please raise it directly with Tracie in the first instance — most concerns can be resolved by talking them through. If you feel unable to do this, or are not satisfied with the outcome, you are entitled to raise a formal complaint with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), who can be contacted at www.bacp.co.uk.
15. Data Protection
Your personal data is handled in accordance with UK data protection law (the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018). Hope Wellbeing Counselling is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, registration number [ICO registration number]. Full details of what information is collected, why, and how it is stored are set out in the practice's Privacy Policy.
16. Professional Indemnity Insurance
Hope Wellbeing Counselling holds professional indemnity insurance with [insurer name], in line with BACP membership requirements.
17. Limitation of Liability
Counselling, supervision and training are offered in good faith and with appropriate professional care, but no specific outcome can be guaranteed, as the results of therapeutic and educational work depend on many factors beyond any one person's control. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for anything else which cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.
18. Changes to These Terms
These terms may be updated from time to time, for example to reflect changes in the law or in how the practice operates. The most current version will always be available on this page, with the date it was last updated shown at the top.
19. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
20. Contact
If you have any questions about these terms, please get in touch via the contact page.