FAQs and Fees
Frequently asked questions are answered below.
What will happen at my first appointment?
Your first appointment will be a chance for us to meet and for you to see what it might be like to work with me. During this assessment session I will ask you questions about your concerns and how long these have been an issue, as well as more general information about your personal background. At the end of the assessment process we will discuss what I feel may be useful to you and you will get an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about what will happen next. You can then book further sessions or take some time to think things over before you do.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
If you need to cancel an appointment, occasionally, I will be happy to do so, providing that you do so with at least 24 hours notice. Appointment cancellations or changes with less than 24 hours' notice on the first occasion are charged at half the fee for that missed/changed session. If you do not attend a session, or cancel with less than 24 hours' notice more than once, the full fee of the missed session is charged. Please note that insurance companies do not cover these costs, they will be charged to you directly.
Will what I say be confidential?
Confidentiality is vital to the counselling relationship. Like all counselling professionals, I receive supervision from another professional/s, with whom I discuss my work. My supervisors are bound by the same rules of confidentiality. The only circumstance in which I would pass on information outside our sessions, other than in my own supervision, would be if I believe that you or someone else may be at risk of serious harm or if I were required to do so by a court of law. Even in this situation I would always try to talk to you first. On occasion, you and I may feel it would be helpful to share certain more general information, for example with your GP or Psychiatrist or a young person’s parents or school, but your permission will always be sought before I do this.
What are your fees?
I charge for the initial assessment session and any subsequent treatment sessions.
Self-funded Assessment (60 minutes) £120
Self-funded Therapy session (60 minutes): £120
Self-funded Therapy session under 16’s (50 minutes): £100
Payments via insurance companies are agreed with the individual company (e.g.: AXA PPP; BUPA, BUPA international and AVIVA).
Fees are paid at the end of each session, by cash or cheque if face to face or in advance by bank transfer, unless paid through health insurance. If you wish to make use of your health insurance, please discuss this with me before booking a session. Please also check with your insurance company before starting therapy sessions, to establish whether your policy is valid and to find out the number of sessions that you are covered for and your authorisation numbers. You will be responsible for payment of any charges if at any point during the therapy your policy does not qualify for benefit, or if your policy expires. Missed or cancelled sessions are not covered by insurance companies.
Data Privacy Notice
What personal data do you process and why?
When you supply your personal details to me they are stored and processed for the reasons listed below:
I need to collect your name, address, phone number, GP details, insurance company details and date of birth, so that I can identify you and contact you occasionally in order to confirm, change or cancel appointments with me or to send you something directly related to our session or update you on matters related directly to your healthcare. I need to know your GP in case I needed to contact them if there was a risk to you. I collect personal information about your health, emotional well-being, life history and current circumstances in order to provide you with the best possible treatment and manage any risks.
Your requesting treatment and my agreement to provide that care constitutes a ‘contract’ (this is the relevant term used in law). You can, of course, refuse to provide the information, but if you were to do that I would not be able to provide treatment as I would be unable to do my job professionally and safely.
According to my professional liability insurers, any insurance claim needs to be made within 6 years for an adult, or 6 years after someone turns 18 if they are a child. My assessment and the notes of our sessions would be part of this process.
How long will you keep my data?
Because of the above reasons I will keep your records for a minimum of 6 years after your most recent appointment (or age 25, if this is longer, 26 if you are currently 17), but after this period, you can ask me to delete your records if you wish. Otherwise, I will keep your records for 20 years in order that I can provide you with the best possible care should you need to see me again. If we only conducted an assessment and not treatment I will delete your records after 6 years. Records will be destroyed under confidential conditions.
How will my data me stored?
Your assessment and treatment records are stored on paper, in locked filing cabinets at my home.
Your name, address, phone number, GP details, insurance company details and date of birth are also stored on paper and kept locked separately in another filing box.
A copy of your name, address, phone number, GP details, insurance company details and date of birth, will be kept electronically, on a password-protected memory stick, in case the paper records are destroyed by fire.
My computer is password-protected and backed up regularly on a separate device which is also password-protected.
Any letters or reports related to your care is stored on my computer which is password-protected. If I need to send this information to a third party (see below for more on third parties), it will be password-protected where possible or sent in the post marked 'private and confidential'.
My mobile phone is password-protected.
Who will have access to my data?
I will never share your data with anyone who does not need access (outside of supervision) without your explicit consent, unless I believe that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm at that point. As discussed with you at your assessment and as set out in my terms and conditions, I am legally obliged to share information which helps to protect you or a third party from harm. Examples of third parties would include a psychiatrist, your GP, a parent if you are under 16, social services, the insurance company funding your treatment or the police. I would also have to produce your notes and personal details if I was required to do so by a court of law. Before communicating with any insurance provider, I will ensure they have given me their assurance that they are also have policies to take care of your personal data.
I will use your first name in my supervision sessions when I discuss our work and, as you will be aware from my terms and conditions, my supervisors are governed by the same rules of confidentiality as me.
In the event of my sudden death, my supervisor would be provided with your notes and personal details and may contact you to inform you and discuss finding alternative support. Should this happen, they will ensure that they treat your information with respect and they are governed by the same rules of confidentiality as me.
What access do I have to the data you hold about me?
You have the right to see what personal data of yours I hold, and you can also ask me to correct any factual errors. Provided the minimum period of 6 years has elapsed, you can also ask me to erase your records. If at any point you would like access to the information I hold about you, please let me know and I will provide you with them within 30 days.
How do I make a complaint about my data being mishandled?
I want you to be absolutely confident that I am treating your personal data responsibly. Of course, if you feel that I am mishandling your personal data in some way, you have the right to complain. Complaints need to be sent to what is referred to in the jargon as the “Data Controller”. Here are the details you need for that:
Katherine Poole,
If you are not satisfied with my response, then you have the right to raise the matter with the Information Commissioner’s Office.