Please take a few moments to read the information below before starting counselling with Nightingale Counselling. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. 

Cancellations 

If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, we ask that you give at least 48 hours’ notice. 

As our practice is very busy, each appointment slot is reserved especially for you. Providing enough notice allows us to offer the time to another client who may be waiting. 

If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, the full session fee will normally be charged. However, we understand that unexpected situations can arise and we will always take circumstances beyond your control into consideration. 

Sessions 

Individual and couples sessions last 55 minutes. 

You will receive an email confirming whether your appointment will take place online or face-to-face. If your session is online, a Zoom link will be sent shortly before the session begins. 

If you are attending online, please ensure you are in a private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly. 

Session Notes 

Counsellors may keep brief notes following your session.  These are confidential working notes used to support the ongoing therapeutic work and to help plan future sessions.   

These notes are kept private and confidential and are stored securely.  They do not contain reports, formal findings or opinions.   

Session notes remain the property of Nightingale Counselling and are normally kept for up to 12 months, after which they are securely destroyed. 

Please note that we do not provide reports, letters or statements for legal proceedings. 

Contact with Your Counsellor  

If you would like to speak with your counsellor by telephone, this can be arranged directly with them.  Telephone sessions are available in 30-minute or 60-minute appointments.   

To respect both your counsellor’s time and other clients, it is not possible to accommodate brief calls between scheduled sessions. All calls must therefore be arranged in advance as a booked appointment.  

Email and text can be used for practical matters such as arranging appointments. 

Referrals 

We greatly value referrals. To ensure every new client receives the most appropriate support, we kindly ask that referrals are made directly through Nightingale Counselling rather than directly to individual counsellors.  This allows us to assess each person’s needs and provide the high standard of care that we aim to offer all clients. 

Couples Counselling – Additional Information 

Couples work has some additional boundaries to help ensure fairness, respect and safety for both partners. 

Couples Session Notes

Notes from couples sessions are considered joint records. For this reason, they cannot be shared with one partner alone without consent of the other. 

Safety & Respect 

Couples counselling is not suitable where there is any domestic abuse, coercive control, intimidation or fear within the relationship.  If sessions become unsafe or volatile (particularly in online sessions), we will pause or end the work and help you find appropriate alternative support.  The safety and wellbeing of both partners will always be our priority.