Terms and Conditions
Please take a few moments to read through our Terms and Conditions and click on the button below to confirm your upcoming appointment with Nightingale.
Terms and Conditions
Please take a few moments to read through our Terms and Conditions and click on the button below to confirm your upcoming appointment with Nightingale.
Please Note:
Our preferred method of payment is by bank transfer paid at the time of booking.
Please continue to pay for every session as soon as you arrange your next appointment with your counsellor to secure your appointment in our practice diary.
Thank you.
Please ensure that you read and fully understand this section prior to commencing counselling sessions with Nightingale Counselling.
Cancellation Policy
Should you need to rearrange or cancel an appointment, please provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. As our counselling practice is very busy, every appointment slot is valuable. By receiving the appropriate period of notice, we will be able to reallocate this appointment slot to someone else. If we do not get the required notice of cancellation, we will need to charge the full rate for the missed session so that Counsellors do not lose earnings. We will of course consider circumstances beyond your control.
Sessions
Individual and couple sessions last 55-minutes. You will receive information by email for your session, whether face-to-face or online. If you are working online, the counsellor will send you a Zoom link for your session.
Counsellors’ notes
Please note that any notes taken by your counsellor during your sessions are private and confidential. These notes are the counsellor’s working notes to assist them with planning further sessions. The notes will be held securely for up to 12 months before being destroyed.
NB: It is not within the scope of a counsellor’s role to provide reports, findings, diagnosis or character witness statements. However, psychologists can offer a diagnosis, reports, and findings for a fee. If you require any of the above from a psychologist, we will need at least two weeks to prepare.
If you are part of ongoing court proceedings, you must inform us before booking an appointment.
Payments Options
Our preferred method of payment is by bank transfer, paid as soon as possible after your book a session (and at least 48 hours in advance).
- Sort Code: 801313
- Account Number: 00999202
- Please use your name as a reference
Please continue to pay for each session after you book a session (and at least 48 hours in advance) to confirm your appointment in our practice diary.
We also offer an online payment facility, which can be found on our website. In some cases, and by prior arrangement, we can offer you or your company a monthly invoice. Please speak to Florence about this.
Cancellation / Rescheduling
If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please ensure you give us a clear 48 hours’ notice (excluding weekends). If we have not received your payment in advance of your session and you fail to contact us, we will cancel your appointment. Your cooperation on our payment procedure is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Insurance and Third-Party Payments
Currently, we do not accept insurance or third-party payments. If you have any questions about payment methods or need documentation for reimbursement, please contact us.
Counsellor Contact
If you prefer to speak with your counsellor on the telephone, that can be arranged directly with your counsellor. We offer telephone sessions on an hourly or half hourly basis. Please do not request to speak with your counsellor for 5 minutes between sessions, as a refusal may offend. Telephone sessions must be scheduled in with the counsellor at a set appointment time. This phone consultation will become part of their scheduled appointments for the day.
Referrals
We greatly appreciate referrals. However, we kindly request that all referrals come directly to Nightingale Counselling rather than to the individual counsellors. This allows the new client’s needs to be accurately assessed and ensures that they receive Nightingale’s high and consistent standard of service.
Appointments
We offer appointments face-to-face, online and by telephone. Session are available in the morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. Online appointments allow for more flexibility, including later evening and weekend slots.
For face-to-face sessions, please ensure you arrive on time for your appointment, but not early.
Data Consent
We are required by our governing body, The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, to inform you about our confidentiality policy and the requirement to store your personal details for your safety. If you decide not to share your personal details, then that will be your choice, although we need to prove we have asked for them. We hope you can appreciate as a company, we want to ensure you are safe and sound in our hands.
Storing Data
Contacts and notes will be stored carefully. Your phone number and email will be stored on a mobile phone with your first name and last initial. Your mobile phone number and email address are shared with your counsellor, who will have security on their phone, including face or fingerprint recognition. Your counsellor may keep session notes for the duration of the therapy. These notes are confidential and may be held securely for up to 12 months before being destroyed.
Confidentiality
Nightingale Counselling will follow the guidelines as stipulated by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. All counsellors receive monthly supervision to ensure we always work ethically. We will discuss our work with our supervisor, but your identity will remain confidential.
Data Protection Compliance
Nightingale Counselling adheres to all relevant data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Your personal data will be processed and stored securely, and you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your data at any time.
Technology Use and Security
For online sessions, please ensure you have a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space. We use secure platforms like Zoom for video sessions. Your counsellor will provide detailed instructions and support to ensure a smooth online experience.
Emergency Procedures
If you feel you need immediate support with regarding a mental health issue, including self-harm, please contact your GP for additional support from the community mental health team or present yourself at A&E for immediate help.
We ask you to provide your next of kin and doctor details. If your counsellor becomes worried or concerned that you are, or were, at risk, they may need to contact your next of kin or doctor.
When working with couples, we cannot proceed if there is a history of domestic violence. If we feel that a session is becoming too volatile, especially online, we will end the session immediately.
Confidentiality Exceptions
Confidentiality will be maintained in all but the following circumstances:
- If you disclose information relating to actual or potential harm to yourself or others, including children or vulnerable adults. Counsellors are duty-bound to report actual or potential harm. Initially, they will report it to the management of Nightingale Counselling, who may need to pass the information to the appropriate authorities.
- If there is a legal requirement to disclose information (e.g., court orders)
- If your Nightingale counsellor feels a referral to another counsellor is necessary, we will seek your permission to share notes (verbally) with the other counsellor prior to your first appointment with them.
Feedback and Complaints
We value your feedback and aim to continuously improve our services. If you have any concerns or complaints, please contact Florence at florence@thenightingalegroup.co.uk or 07946 434045.