Client Counselling Agreement (Sample)
Version: 1.0 (Updated November 2025)
Applies to: Strive
Section 1 – Summary
Assessment session – a one-off 50-minute appointment to explore your needs and determine suitability.
Strive Core – counselling with a trained volunteer counsellor on placement, supervised weekly.
Strive Pro – counselling with a qualified counsellor.
Assessment – £25 (paid at booking through PayPal). This becomes a credit for session 12.
Strive Core – £25 per session.
Strive Pro – £50 per session.
All payments are made through PayPal.
Sessions last 50 minutes and clients are expected to attend weekly.
Sessions may be scheduled at the end of each appointment or booked in advance.
If weekly attendance becomes inconsistent, Strive will contact you.
More than 48 hours notice – no fee.
Less than 48 hours or non-attendance – full fee charged.
If you cancel a session, you are expected to rebook within 7 days.
Rescheduling within 48 hours may be requested from your counsellor but is not guaranteed.
Confidentiality: What you share is private. Limits apply if there is risk of serious harm or legal obligation.
Your Rights: You may stop at any time, request access to notes, ask questions, or make a complaint.
Emergencies: Strive is not an emergency service. If you are at immediate risk, call 999, Samaritans 116 123, or NHS 111 option 2.
Section 2 – Full Terms and Conditions
1. Services
1.1 All clients begin with a clinical assessment. The assessment lasts 50 minutes and must be booked and paid for in advance.
1.2 Strive offers two service levels:
– Strive Core: counselling delivered by a supervised trainee counsellor.
– Strive Pro: counselling delivered by a qualified counsellor.
1.3 All counsellors work within the BACP and NCPS Ethical Frameworks.
I understand and agree
2. Sessions
2.1 Sessions last 50 minutes and are held weekly at a time agreed between you and your counsellor.
2.2 Sessions may be:
– at a fixed weekly time, or
– arranged at the end of each appointment.
2.3 If you arrive late, the session will still end at the agreed time.
2.4 If weekly attendance becomes inconsistent, Strive will contact you to discuss continuity and support.
I understand and agree
3. Fees and Payment
3.1 Assessment Fee – £25 paid at booking; credited to session 12.
3.2 Session Fees – Core £25; Pro £50.
3.3 Payment via PayPal. Card payments accepted without a PayPal account.
3.4 Sessions must be paid before they take place.
I understand and agree
4. Cancellations and Missed Sessions
4.1 >48h no fee.
4.2 <48h or non-attendance: full fee.
4.3 Rebook within 7 days.
4.4 Rescheduling within 48h via counsellor, not guaranteed.
4.5 If Strive cancels, reschedule at no cost.
4.6 If assessment cancelled, fee transfers.
I understand and agree
5. Confidentiality and Limits
5.1 Everything discussed is confidential.
5.2 Limits discussed in first session; breaches only for serious harm, legal duty, or safeguarding.
5.3 Counsellor will discuss disclosures where possible.
I understand and agree
6. Record Keeping
6.1 Counsellors keep brief notes in secure digital storage.
6.2 Notes kept 7 years then deleted.
6.3 You may request access to notes.
6.4 Notes only released to third party with legal basis; otherwise provided to you.
I understand and agree
7. Data Protection
7.1 Strive is a data controller under UK GDPR.
7.2 We collect/store data only to provide counselling or meet legal obligations.
7.3 See Privacy Policy.
I understand and agree
8. Supervision and Quality Assurance
8.1 Counsellors receive supervision in line with ethical body/course requirements.
8.2 Supervisors may discuss anonymised material.
I understand and agree
9. Emergencies and Crisis Support
9.1 Strive is not an emergency service.
9.2 If at immediate risk, call 999, Samaritans 116 123, NHS 111 option 2.
9.3 Emergency contact may be used under inferred consent if you cannot consent.
9.4 Third-party emergency services contacted → Strive will attempt to contact your emergency contact.
I understand and agree
10. Online Counselling
10.1 You must be in a private, safe location.
10.2 You confirm your location at start of each session.
10.3 If connection fails, counsellor will attempt reconnection or call you.
I understand and agree
11. Boundaries
11.1 Communication outside sessions limited to admin.
11.2 No therapeutic work via email/messaging.
11.3 Counsellor will not approach you in public.
11.4 Counsellors assessed for suitability; sensitive data about counsellors is not shared with clients.
I understand and agree
12. Accessibility
12.1 Reasonable adjustments will be made where possible.
I understand and agree
13. Ending Counselling
13.1 You may end at any time; at least two sessions notice recommended.
13.2 Counsellor/Strive may suggest ending if inappropriate, attendance inconsistent, risk issue, or other service more suitable.
13.3 Placement counsellors may need to end earlier; notice given where possible; free reassessment offered.
I understand and agree
Section 3 – Agreement and Consent
By submitting this agreement, you confirm acceptance of:
– service level (Core/Pro)
– confidentiality and limits
– data storage and usage
– booking, attendance, and cancellation rules