Confidentiality 

All information shared during counselling sessions will remain confidential, except where both you and I agree to share specific information with a third party, and a consent form will be used where appropriate. Confidentiality will only be broken when there is a serious risk to your life, another person’s life, or where I may be required to disclose information due to legal circumstances. This would be discussed with you in advance if possible and appropriate. 

Appointments, Cancellations and Attendance 

Appointments are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If the schedule is fully booked, you may request to be placed on a waiting list. 

Please keep your appointments as scheduled unless an emergency occurs. In such cases, please contact me as soon as possible. Switching the appointment to online may be suitable as an alternative to in-person appointments. 

If an appointment is missed without notice, the full session fee will be charged. If two appointments are missed consecutively without prior discussion, no further appointments can be scheduled. 

If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time to respect the next client’s appointment. 

Attending and engaging in counselling is voluntary, and participation reflects your choice and commitment. If you arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or behave in an abusive or aggressive manner before or during a session, the session will be ended immediately and I reserve the right to refuse or discontinue service at my discretion. 

Fees 

I reserve the right to introduce or adjust service fees, including for services previously offered at no charge. Any changes will be communicated in advance. Payment must be made for previous sessions before proceeding with next session. 

Liability 

While every reasonable effort is made to provide consistent and reliable service, I cannot accept liability for interruptions or failures due to circumstances beyond my control (e.g., illness, technical issues, or legal obligations). 

I may need to withdraw, or modify services for legal, technical, or safety reasons and should this happen, you will be notified as soon as practical. 

Legal Proceedings 

I am unable to provide records or information for any legal proceedings unless required by a New Zealand court. The notes kept are intended for therapeutic purposes and will not be suitable as evidence for legal situations. 

Agreement 

You acknowledge that the effectiveness of counselling depends on the time, effort, and openness you invest in the process.  

You understand that during counselling sessions, difficult or uncomfortable emotions and thoughts might be discussed, and this is a part of the therapeutic process. 

Acknowledgement & Consent 

By attending counselling sessions, you acknowledge that: 

You have read, understood, and agree to abide by these Terms of Service. 

Any questions about these terms have been discussed and clarified with myself.