Hello, My name is Leasha Esslemont, I have over 16 years counselling experience working within Aberdeen charities, NHS providers and in my own private practice. I specialise in trauma recovery, childhood abuse & neglect although I am open to work with any issue.
1.1 We will usually meet once each week at an agreed time and day for a 50-minute session, alterations to frequency will need to be agreed.
1.2 I recommend an initial minimum of 6 sessions to allow our work to evolve. After that it is easier for you to make an informed decision about whether or not you wish to continue your counselling. If you continue beyond the first six sessions the period over which we work becomes open ended until we end by agreement.
1.3 If you are late for a session and I have not heard from you, I will be there for you online or by the telephone, for the first 15 mins of the session.
1.4 I require you to inform me with as much notice as possible if you are going be late or unable to attend a session.
2.1 My session fees are on my website and available to view at the start of our agreement to work together. These fees will be subject to periodic review.
2.2 I will give at least one month’s notice of any increase.
2.3 Payment is due 24 hrs in advance to confirm session booking by my Website Paylink, BACS or standing order. Block bookings to be paid in advance.
3.1 My telephone number and email address are for use in the case of cancellations, alterations or to pass on session related information. I will not enter into telephone or email counselling except in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement.
3.2 My telephone number is not staffed continually and messages will only be picked up on an irregular basis throughout the day. My working days are Tuesday -Thursday I will try my best to respond out with working hours.
3.3 I will reply to all messages as soon as possible. However, in my absence, should you experience an emergency please contact either the emergency services or if you are feeling suicidal, ring The Samaritans: 116 123. If you feel that this may be an issue, please discuss it with me.
3.4 I do not initiate or accept Social Networking ‘Friends Requests’ from clients, as this can compromise the confidential and therapeutic nature of the counselling relationship.
3.5 We shall not meet or have contact outside of the Counselling sessions. I will not make it known that I know or recognise you should we meet in a public space.
3.6 Our Counselling relationship will remain strictly professional. The boundaries of our engagement will be clearly and thoroughly discussed during our initial meeting, and are to be respected equally by you (the client) and by me (the counsellor).
At times Counselling can be very demanding, frustrating and emotional – just plain difficult – and you may feel reluctant to attend. This can be part of the therapeutic process. I would ask you to make a firm commitment to attend regularly and keep absences to a minimum, especially when that feels difficult for you.
4.1 My Commitment to my clients
Clients need to be able to participate freely as they work with practitioners of the counselling professions towards their desired goals. This requires clients to be able to trust their practitioner with their wellbeing and sensitive personal information. Therefore, as a registered member of BACP, I take being trustworthy as a serious ethical commitment. I have agreed that we will:
5.1 I will give you as much notice as possible of any intended breaks. I ask you to give as much notice as possible of any intended breaks.
5.2 When you start counselling a regular weekly commitment is established between you (the client) and me (the counsellor). This means that I cannot be available to anyone else if you miss a session without notice. In those circumstances I require you to pay the fee for your session. There are no exceptions to this. I ask you to give 48 hours notice of non-attendance. In those circumstances there will be no charge for the missed session.
6.1 In the normal course of events you will probably know when you are ready to finish Counselling, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this. You may at times find Counselling very difficult, become distressed and feel the need to end. I would invite you to talk to me about these difficulties rather than suddenly end, as an opportunity to resolve important issues may be lost.
6.2 I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of the work together, which we would fully discuss at that time.
7.1 I am a registered member of the BACP and work within their ethical framework.
BACP Membership No: 382798
A copy of the ethical framework for the Counselling Professions can be found on the BACP’s website: BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
7.2 If you are dissatisfied with the service provided please discuss your concerns with me as a first step. I will respond constructively and professionally to your feedback and stated needs and advise you to the best of my ability.
7.3 If we are unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion to your complaint I will advise you to contact the BACP Customer Services.
They will assist with a complaints procedure. See link: http://www.bacp.co.uk/crs/complaints.php
7.4 This contract will be subject to periodic review and you will be notified of any updates.
