Ultimately, we will make a verbal contract together about how, where and when we would like to work together, for how long and at what times we will review. However, there are a few terms we need to agree in advance.

Rooms
My practice address is 11 Orchard Street, Bristol BS1 5EH.

COVID-19
If convenient for the client, therapy can take place via Zoom videoconferencing. The client undertakes to ensure they have the necessary equipment. 

Confidentiality
Anything shared during therapy remains in strictest confidence and will not be shared with third parties unless required by law or unless it falls within the scope of the National Counselling Society’s safeguarding policy.

Fees
My fee is £60 per hour. The duration and frequency of therapy is agreed with the client during the initial session and ultimately the client’s choice. The client is not financially committed to a contract and may stop therapy at any time providing 48 hours notice.

Payment
Payment must be made in advance of treatment and can be made via bank transfer prior to the initial appointment or by debit or credit card payment at beginning of each session. Cheques are not accepted.

Vacations
From time to time I will be unavailable for regularly scheduled sessions due to vacations. In this event I will give plenty of warning and we can discuss arrangements.

Cancellation policy

• Online work: I’m happy to reschedule up to 48 hours before the appointment. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment are charged at 50% of the session rate. Missed appointments are payable in full. It is often possible to reschedule online appointments for an alternative slot in the same week.
• Face-to-face work: Face-to-face appointments are hard bookings and cannot be swapped out for other days. I am subject to cancellation policies operated by the room providers. I will need one week’s notice of a cancellation without charge. Missed appointments must be paid in full.

Contact between sessions
Please feel free to contact me to arrange or reschedule sessions. To maintain your privacy and to maintain safe boundaries, I will not discuss any aspect of your therapy with you outside of the therapy session. Please be aware that weekends are family time and I may not see messages or be able to respond to you.

Treatment
Psychotherapy is a purely psychological therapy and does not constitute a medical intervention or medical advice. Richard Lewis is not a qualified medical practitioner and is not apt or able to diagnose or give opinions on medical issues and diagnoses, advise on medical treatments or make prescriptions. It is recommended that clients consult their GP before embarking on psychological or complementary therapies.

Endings
Ending therapy is the client’s right and choice at all times. If you wish to end the therapy you don’t need to justify that decision and you can keep your reasons private if you need to. There may be times when I may need to stop working with you and refer you to another practitioner: if the work moves outside my competency, for example, or of a conflict of interest develops where I could not continue ethically or safely. If I think this is the case I will discuss it with you and make recommendations for a referral. 

Attendance
Therapy requires commitment and the building of a relationship. If you are regularly cancelling, this may not be the right time for you to be in therapy, or I may not be able to work effectively with you and may need to offer the slot to those on the waiting list. If I think this is the case I will discuss it with you and make recommendations for a referral.

Accreditation and code of ethics
Richard Lewis is an accredited member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS Accred), holds a Prof Dip Psy C diploma in psychotherapy and abides by the Society’s code of ethics. Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover is with Howden, providing cover for face-to-face, online work and overseas clients.

GDPR
I use a cloud server to maintain up-to-date encrypted electronic records of therapy sessions, treatment plans and outcomes and encrypted electronic records of invoicing and billing. These records are not stored on local servers or devices. You may request at any time to see the electronic information I hold on you. I will make every effort to comply with any deletion requests; however, I am required by my insurers to keep written records for seven years and may not be able to legally delete records until that time has elapsed.