1. PSYCHOTHERAPY RISKS
THERAPIST: Laura Hurkett (the therapist) will provide therapy sessions and additional services if required to the client, at dates and times agreed by both parties.
POTENTIAL RISKS: Psychotherapy holds risks which may include the client experiencing uncomfortable or difficult feelings so that they may ultimately find understanding and new perspectives.
2. SESSIONS
DURATION: Sessions are bookable via bristoldramatherapy.setmore.com or via Laura directly in hourly or 90min sessions depending on your needs and our plan for your care. All sessions include a 10 minute final check out which may be shorter depending on it’s natural end.
ADDRESS: Face-to-face appointments will be held at The Bromley Therapy & Wellbeing, 73 Quakers Road, Bristol, BS16 6NH. Online sessions are available (see below).
BUILDING: Please do not enter the building more than 10 minutes before your appointment, be mindfully safe, and follow the health and safety and fire safety procedures set out by staff & signage during your visit. Please do not leave belongings unattended as staff cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Staff only areas are not to be accessed by visitors.
EVALUATION & REVIEWS: The first 2-4 sessions will involve an evaluation of the client’s individual needs, along with the necessary building of trust. The therapist will conduct regular reviews with the client to measure how effectively therapeutic goals are being met throughout sessions.
ANCHOR SESSIONS: Clients begin with either a weekly or bi-weekly therapy plan, with an ‘Anchor’ therapy time which is reserved for them alone unless they decide a different session time for that week.
CLOSING: Closure of therapy is important and will be discussed and agreed by both parties, either at the beginning of therapy or during the process of therapy. A closing period of around two to five sessions (dependant on the client’s needs) is usually sufficient to explore the nature of closure.
AD-H0C SESSIONS: When and if appropriate, clients can choose to either have an ending process to close our therapy work together, or have a shorter closing period before closing their ‘Anchor’ sessions and moving to ‘Ad-hoc’ sessions, which are used for maintenance and can be booked as and when the client feels they are needed depending on availability. One session must be booked every 3 months to stay on the client caseload. Laura will email a reminder at least 14 days before your ‘space’ on my therapy caseload is removed.
PERSISTENT ABSENCES: If multiple and frequent absences from therapy occur without prior communication and agreement, a discussion will need to be undergone to assess if the client remains suitable for the services Bristol Dramatherapy Ltd provides.
3. CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULING
CANCELLATION POLICY: If the client needs to cancel or reschedule a service, they must give as much notice as possible. Where possible and depending on the therapist’s availability, sessions can be occasionally be rescheduled for a different time that working week with no extra charge. If the client misses an appointment, or has to cancel within 48 hrs of the appointment’s agreed start time, they will still be charged the original rate. If the client is late to an appointment, the appointment will still need to end on time.
THERAPIST ABSENCE: If the therapist is unable to make an appointment, they will promptly attempt to contact the client and will not charge for the missed service if it cannot be rescheduled. In the unlikely event that the therapist is late, time will be offered elsewhere to make up for this.
4. PROFESSIONAL FEES
PRICING: All prices for services can be viewed on Bristoldramatherapy.setmore.com. Changes to prices will be discussed in session or notified by email with 10 weeks notice given prior.
PAYMENT: Payment is due at the time of the appointment. If debts incur, the therapist reserves the right to use legal means to secure payment owed. An accrued interest rate of 1.25% will be charged to late fees at a daily rate (from 14 days from date of service).
METHODS: Cash or card payments can be made at the premises. Online payment is also available. Invoices will be emailed to customers who have outstanding charges or upon request.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Any additional services (if required), such as meetings, reports, phone calls exceeding 15 mins etc, are to be agreed prior, and booked and charged at the hourly rate.
5. ONLINE AND PHONE APPOINTMENTS
Online/phone appointments are offered at the same times, duration, & charge as in-person sessions.
NOTICE: An online/phone session can be requested for any reason, however please give a minimum of 10 minutes notice when possible to allow the therapist to set up.
PLATFORMS: Online services will take place via Google Meet by default. To request a Phone Session, Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime or Microsoft Teams session, please indicate this at the time of booking or message Laura directly. To indicate the client is ready to start a phone session, they must phone the therapist on 0770 332 7330 at the agreed time.
6. PROFESSIONAL RECORDS & CONFIDENTIALITY
PRIVACY: Confidentiality will be kept at all times in accordance with GDPR & the Data Protection Act. Information will not be shared without the explicit consent of the client or their legal guardian, except in issues of safeguarding, child or adult protection, or if the therapist believes the client or others are at risk. In these cases, it is the therapist’s duty share information with relevant parties in accordance with the law.
RECORDS: The therapist is required to keep appropriate records about clients and services provided; these tend to be brief as they aid the therapist in keeping track of progress. Records may include attendance, topics explored, medical, social, and treatment history, themes and patterns that arise, and records received from other providers. The therapist does not video or audio record services unless agreed with the client beforehand. Clients may review their notes at any point in the presence of the therapist to clarify handwriting and terms used.
RECORD KEEPING: Written/printed documents are kept in a lockable cupboard on the premises. Digital notes are created on password-protected devices before being backed up to password-protected external hard drives, which are respectfully kept in the locked cupboard and in a safe in the therapist’s home.
REPORTS: Any reports will be available 14-28 days after the request has been made. Report writing is charged at the usual hourly rate which is to be agreed and paid at the time of request.
ARTWORK: Artwork from current clients is stored in a lockable cupboard at the premises. Artwork is photographed on the therapist’s phone, added to digital notes and erased from the phone.
FORMER CLIENTS: Records are retained for 7 years from the last session (unless in cases involving minors or if the therapist has any concerns). Artwork that remains in the therapist’s possession will be kept for one month. In all cases, information will be disposed of confidentially & respectfully.
SUPERVISION AND THIRD PARTIES: Dramatherapists are required to attend regular clinical supervision; supervisors are bound by confidentiality and the therapist does not reveal client identities. The therapist uses accounting software to track client payments and attendance, and uses booking software to assist with scheduling. All platforms used are password encrypted and does not hold details aside from names, contact details, and payment and appointment history. The therapist also hires accounting services, which have access to payment history. CCTV is in operation, this is accessible by the landlord and staff and is only viewed if an incident occurs; without incident, footage is deleted after one week. The video doorbell is accessible only to staff, this footage deletes automatically after 2 weeks without incident.
7. INSURANCE, PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION AND TRAINING
TRAINING: Laura Hurkett (the therapist) holds an MA in Drama and Movement Therapy and undergoes continued professional development relevant to their practice. They also hold certificates in other relevant clinical techniques appropriate to Creative Psychotherapy, and a certificate in Creative Clinical Supervision.
REGISTRATION: Laura Hurkett is registered as a therapist by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and & works within the codes of practice set by HCPC and The British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth). The therapist is registered with the ICO as a Data Controller.
CERTIFICATES: The therapist is trained in First Aid, CPR and Fire Safety. They also hold a clear, enhanced DBS certificate which can be viewed at any point. The therapist holds their own Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.