Outsider Therapy

Therapy Agreement

1. Purpose of Therapy

The purpose of therapy is to provide a safe, confidential environment where the client can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to work towards personal growth and mental well-being.

The therapist at Outsider Therapy is Cee MacDonald.

2. Confidentiality

  • All sessions are confidential, and the content will not be shared without the client’s consent, except in cases where the therapist is legally obligated to disclose information (e.g., risk of harm to self or others, abuse of a minor, elderly person, or dependent adult).
  • The therapist may also use supervision or consultation with other professionals to improve the quality of care, ensuring that no identifying information about the client is disclosed.
  • The therapist will engage in regular supervision as part of their ethical practice.  This will involve sharing details of working with clients (but not their surnames or identifying details) so the supervisor can ensure the therapist is working safely, ethically and competently. 
  • The privacy policy for Outsider Therapy can be found here. 
  • The therapist’s supervisor also has the first names and phone numbers of their clients so you can be notified if anything happens to them that impacts their ability to contact you and continue the work. 

3. Session Details

  • Duration: Each session will last 50 minutes.
  • Frequency: Sessions will occur weekly or as agreed upon.
  • Location: Sessions will be conducted online through Google Meet. 

4. Fees and Payment

  • The fee for each session is £40.  Fees will be reviewed every Autumn and may increase on the 1st January each year. You will be given at least four week’s notice of this.
  • This will be paid through a bank transfer by the day of the session. 
  • The bank account details are:
    • Account name: Outsider Therapy
    • Sort code: 089250
    • Account number: 63226847
  • Therapy may be suspended if a client is more than 2 weeks in arrears. 

5. Cancellation Policy

  • Clients must provide at least 24 hours notice if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. It’s helpful if you can give at least two weeks notice of any holiday or sessions you need to miss.
  • Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice must be paid for in full. 
  • The therapist will take annual leave, which is expected to be around six weeks during the year. The therapist will endeavour to give at least 4 weeks’ notice of any leave. The therapist may also take time off for training and other professional development.

6. Rights and Responsibilities

Client Responsibilities:

  • Attend sessions on time, if a client is going to be late for a session they should email the therapist at cee@outsidertherapy.com
  • Engage actively and honestly in the therapy process.
  • Notify the therapist of any changes in contact information or emergency contacts.
  • Limit email contact to scheduling queries.

Therapist Responsibilities:

  • Attend sessions on time.
  • Provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
  • Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
  • Respect and support the client’s autonomy. 
  • Give the client at least two weeks’ notice of any sessions which need to be cancelled or rearranged (unless in an emergency).
  • Offer regular review sessions every six sessions of therapy. 

7. Conclusion of Therapy

  • If the client wishes to end therapy they are encouraged to give at least a week’s notice so there is space to discuss endings and closure. 
  • If the therapist needs to conclude therapy then they will give at least four week’s notice.
  • The therapist may also end the therapeutic relationship if it is deemed that the client would be better served by another professional or service. This decision will be made in consultation with the therapist’s supervisor.

8. Emergency Contact

This is not a crisis service.  If the client is in crisis they should consider contacting the Samaritans on 116 123 or the NHS on 101. 

9. Complaints

The therapist follows the BACP Ethical Framework which can be found here. 

If you feel the care you have received has fallen short of these standards, then in the first instance please raise this with your therapist if you feel comfortable to do so. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, or this has not resolved your issue you can contact the BACP complaints team at professional_conduct@bacp.co.uk.