Consultations Terms and Conditions

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Initial information 

 

• My goal is to ensure that a safe, comfortable, respectful and Neuroaffirming environment for all.

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• I am limited to the use of Zoom and phone calls for contact. I do not drive a car so I use public transport in my locality. Because of this and additional time factors, face to face sessions are complex for me.

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• I am not a trained counsellor or therapist. I have attended many workshops over the years , but do not hold a professional qualification in these areas. I continue to refresh my training in specific areas regularly. 

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• I am not a clinician and cannot diagnose an individual.

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• I offer a free 15 Minute Phone Consultations.

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• Please complete and book a time via my Calendly link and fill in the initial consultation form. A Zoom link will be sent to you and payment will be taken at time of booking. Fees are shown upon the Calendly links.​

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• I offer initial Consultation sessions. If you then require continuing sessions, these are available via Zoom or telephone, whichever you prefer.

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• Please let me know of preferred communication methods, how to address you and any sensory or other trigger issues you may have. If we are using video, please ensure you are well lit, and that background noise is kept to a minimum. 

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• I will do my best to use any preferred communication method you prefer. I have experience of several different Alternative and Augmentative Communication methods and I’m happy to use them.

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• We will arrange an initial discussion so I can listen to you, discuss your thoughts and needs. We will then decide upon how we can progress. 

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• A plan of action/timetable will be agreed and costs discussed.

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• I am happy to work (and often do), alongside other involved professionals and individuals. If any paperwork is shared by them, it will only be done so with your knowledge and permission.

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• I am Neuroaffirming with my language. I am more than happy to expand upon why I use certain words and terms. 

• I welcome contact from diagnosed and self-identifying individuals. 

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• ​I have been employed in this area by my local County Council and several companies that support young people as well as working for families and individuals for over three years.

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• I am well known by various organisations across the UK and in other countries. I've been employed by local and national organisations as an employee before going freelance. Please see the link to Feedback/Employers and my LinkedIn profile for more information. I'm also a BAPs Award winner in 2022 for Celebrating SEND.​​

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Your and my Safety 

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• Please see my Policies page for further information.

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• I use my professional experience and personal insight when consulting with individuals, families and organisations. All of our consultations are confidential and they are security protected.

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• My working hours are shown upon my Calendly Link.

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• I'm hold a Enhanced  DBS Certificate. (Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate-Update Service UK) and I have a Public Indemnity Insurance Policy via Simply Business and I am registered with ICO (Information Commissioners Office).

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• I will require emergency contact details, these will only be used in extreme circumstances.

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• If I have any concerns regarding safety and welfare, due to Safeguarding regulations I will contact relevant agencies.

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• At each point of our contact, you can get in touch at any time and I'll respond as soon as I'm able. We will continually review progress, and can meet regularly.

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• Our safety and security are paramount , sessions may be draining and complex at times. I will always be ensuring that directly after sessions we both are able to have time to "process events" and to ensure that we have some time to regulate.

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• I am very observant of my consultation/work schedule and ensure I have enough time to regulate myself between sessions and my other workloads.

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• ​I have personal supervisions myself with another individual to ensure I am regulated. (No confidential material regarding my consults is discussed).​

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​Younger Individuals

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• Safety and security of all individuals during these sessions is paramount.

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• I do work with individuals under 18.

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• These sessions are always with a parent/guardian/adult present and will be discussed with the aforementioned before the consultation takes place. With consent, they can be recorded and a copy sent to parent/guardian.

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• I'm happy to receive questions before the session.

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• ​If at any point you or I do not wish to continue, we can leave.  

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​What if we don't get on?

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• For various reasons we may find that we are unable to progress further with our sessions.

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• If you decided that we are unable to progress, I will professionally fully respect your decision.

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• If you wish to give feedback as to why not, I would welcome it, but it is not essential and I do not wish to place you under any pressure to do so.

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• If I feel that in any way we can't progress further, I will inform you via email. 

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Sessions ending/Gaps between sessions

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• Transition between session can be difficult at times. I will ensure that you are reminded of and aware of how many sessions we have left, and when the final one is due. I will do everything I can to ensure your transition is as respectful and as least stressful as possible.

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• When you are booking, for a variety of reasons there may be time between bookings. I fully understand this may happen on occasion. Because of this our transitions many not be as smooth as possible, but I will do my best to accommodate these times.​

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Emergencies and contact between planned sessions 

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• I do not offer crisis therapy, I do support in-between sessions if required, but only when I can fit them in.

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• Do feel free to contact me between sessions, I will endeavour to get back to use as soon as possible. Please be aware I may be unable to give lengthy written/typed responses to specific questions on occasions. ​

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Treatment of each other 

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• I will not tolerate any abusive or rude behaviour.

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• That expectation level extends to all parties in these sessions.

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• I will not use expletives during our interactions, but I fully understand the passion and range of emotions that you may be experiencing, and respect the language you may use, and long as it does not become self or outwardly directed abusively.

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• If at any time either of us feel uncomfortable, we can leave the session. ​

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My Neurodivergent Experience

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• I self identify as Autistic, I am not professionally diagnosed. I consider my Neurokin across the globe to have affirmed my self-identification. 

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• As a self-identifying Autistic individual I have a very personal understanding of my Neurotypes differences, sensory, communication emotions etc. I use my self-knowledge here to help and support other individuals and organisations.

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• I am part of many Neurodivergent led organisations. I am continually learning and keeping up to date with current theories and understanding within and outside the Neurodivergent community. 

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• I am Neuroaffirming and ensure I do my very best to keep up to date with current Autistic understanding and culture.

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Your responsibilities 

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• Please ensure you are on time, if possible, and that your environment is suitable for our planned interaction, (webcam, microphone, sensory input etc). Please ensure I know in advance your preferred communication methods for each meeting.

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• If there is any information that I urgently should know, such as specific triggers /events or anything else that may impact our session.​

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Ending of Sessions

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• I will inform you as/when sessions are coming to a close, we will both discuss this event to ensure you are secure with the transition.

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• I will ensure that you are fully informed of other areas of support and resources.

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• Transition between session can be difficult at times. I will ensure that you are reminded of and aware of how many sessions we have left, and when the final one is due. I will do everything I can to ensure your transition is as respectful and as least stressful as possible.

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• When you are booking, for a variety of reasons there may be time between bookings. I fully understand this may happen on occasions. Because of this our transitions many not be as smooth as possible, but I will do my best to accommodate  these times.​​

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Complaints and concerns 

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• Your safety is paramount, if at any time you are not comfortable with our sessions, you are able to leave. 

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• I have a Comments/Concerns Policy.  Do feel free to use this avenue if you feel the need to do so.