The Working Agreement between us

My commitment to you

As a caregiver cradles a newborn child in their arms, I commit to offer you a therapeutic relationship in which you are therapeutically held and cherished.

As a child explores the world with wonder, I commit to be curious with you, trusting that through my stance of curiosity, you will be offered different ways of being in the world.

As the most trustworthy in our lives are often those who challenge us the most, I commit to be ready to challenge you through gentleness within your capacity to receive it.

As our greatest supporters in life celebrate us for being ourselves, I commit to be a cheerleader who trusts in your inner resources.

As an inspirational leader embodies compassion, I commit to model and promote self-compassion in our work together.

As friends delight in company one with another, I commit to honor the place of humor and playfulness as essential to well-being.

As partners choose to collaborate as they journey through life, I commit to be a co-creator with you as the therapeutic relationship develops between us.

Our commitment to sessions

If you can’t attend a session, at the earliest opportunity, please let me know by phone call (leave a voice message if I am unable to answer) or by text: 07534 599 233.

My time and your time are valuable. Cancellations need to be made at least 48 hours in advance. If you fail to notify me 48 hours prior to your appointment, you will be charged the full session fee of £60.

I commit to give you as much notice as possible regarding any absence on my part.

If you fail to attend two consecutive sessions without notice, no further appointments will be offered.

A session usually lasts for 50-60 minutes.

The Therapy Process

I will explain the therapeutic process and my personal approach during the initial sessions. Therapy is not advice-giving; the therapist may act as a mirror, reflecting back to the client who gains new awareness and choices. The client is free to act on or ignore the therapist’s ‘invitations.’

I am trained as a relational integrative therapist. ‘Relational’ recognizes the power in the therapeutic relationship co-created between us. ‘Integrative’ means I work with several theoretical approaches (CBT, Psychodynamic, Humanistic), and we can find a way of working together that meets your needs.

Commitment between sessions

Preparation for a session differs for each client, depending on where they are in the therapeutic process. Some clients find it helpful to set aims or goals, while others know they need help but can’t define their needs.

Reflecting on your session outside of the therapy hour is essential. This might involve journaling, jotting notes, or creating visual representations. Making time for reflection during the week can enhance the impact of your sessions.

Pay attention to your ‘take-away’ from each session and how to apply it during the week. This might involve practicing discoveries or techniques from the session.

This contract limits our contact between sessions to planning purposes only (arrangements for sessions). We can agree on your preferred mode of communication – phone call, text, or email.

This contract does not provide crisis services. If you need urgent help outside of our session times, please contact the following services:

• Samaritans: Tel. 116 123 (free, open 24 hours)
• 24/7 NHS Mental Health Response Line: Tel. 0800 038 5300 (free, 24 hours)
• Shout: 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks. Text: 85258

Medication and Health

Please inform me if you are taking any medication, as it may affect the therapy process.

Let me know if you are receiving any other therapy. Receiving more than one form of counselling or psychotherapy at the same time is unadvisable, except for couples counselling.

Inform me of any past therapy and what was helpful or unhelpful to you, as this can assist our relationship.

Therapy will not take place if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Confidentiality

Your sessions are confidential but with limitations.

I work within the BACP Ethical Framework for good practice, offering the highest level of confidentiality consistent with the Law and BACP codes.

Counsellors have supervisors to discuss their work. Client identities remain anonymous in such cases. Exceptions to confidentiality occur when harm to a client or others is considered a serious risk. In these situations, we will agree on a course of action if possible.

In some cases, the law requires breaking confidentiality without informing you. This includes laws related to terrorism, child protection, drug trafficking, and court orders.

If you have concerns about confidentiality, please feel free to discuss them with me.

Note Taking

Factual notes are taken for each session. These are securely stored and destroyed three years after the last session. You have the right to view your notes.

My privacy policy is available here: Privacy Policy

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office as a data controller and comply with GDPR. Registration number: ZB338288. For more information about your data rights, visit www.ico.org.uk.

Outside of your Psychotherapy Sessions

Due to the nature of therapy, we will not have any other relationship during our time working together.

If we meet outside sessions, I will follow your lead on how to acknowledge each other.

Working with International Clients

I am based in the UK, and our work is under UK jurisdiction and law.

Payment

You can pay via bank transfer:

• Mark Greenaway-Robbins | Starling Bank | 60-83-71 | 17329626

Payment must be made 48 hours in advance of your session. The session will not take place unless payment is received at least 48 hours prior.

The fee is £60 per 50-60 minute session (face-to-face, online, phone, walk & talk). Fees are reviewed every April, and three months’ notice will be given for any fee changes.

The Agreement

This Working Agreement is voluntary, and you can end it at any time.

I retain the right to terminate the agreement at my discretion.