Every session is confidential.   I offer the highest level of professional confidentiality consistent with the law and the ‘Ethical Framework for Good Practice’ of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Association of Christian Counsellors.

I will only pass on information shared with me as follows...

Counsellor supervision

To ensure counselling and client care is of the highest standard, counsellors are obliged to discuss their cases anonymously with an experienced Counsellor Supervisor who is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and/or Association of Christian Counsellors. The Supervisor is also bound by rules of confidentiality.

Records

I am obliged to make some notes after sessions. These notes are coded, and kept in a secure place.

Exceptional circumstances

If a client is thought to be a danger to themself or others, for legal reasons it may be necessary to pass limited information on to an appropriate medical or legal authority.  However, should such action be deemed necessary, I would first discuss the matter with my client.

The one exception would be if drug-trafficking or terrorism is suspected where, under British law I have to inform the police immediately. These same legal requirements stipulate that in such situations I may not tell the client first.