Client rights and responsibilities
In counselling, both the Counsellor and the Client have rights and responsibilities. It may be helpful for you to read these few notes and to clarify any concerns you may have about coming for counselling before we begin.
As a client you have certain rights. You have a right:
- To dignity as an individual human being. You have the right to equal consideration and treatment regardless of your sex, gender, race, religion, colour, economic status, age, sexual and/or relationship preference or beliefs.
- To be provided with professional and respectful care by your counsellor.
- To be accepted as you are, and to be listened to in a non-judgemental way.
- To confidentiality within counselling, subject to the law or if there is the risk of serious harm to yourself or to others. You should also know that I am bound to comply with the Ethical Framework for Good Practice of the
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Along with these rights you have certain responsibilities. These are:
- To keep appointments and if you cancel with less than 48 hours you will pay the full cost, unless otherwise agreed.
- To pay the agreed fee at the beginning or end of each session.
As your counsellor I will keep anonymised notes of our work together – they are stored in a locked filling cabinet in my home.
I may also discuss the counselling that I am doing with you with my supervisor, in order to monitor and improve my practice. This will be done in such a way as to protect your identity and to protect your confidentiality.
Your consent is required: