THE ThERAPEUTIC CONTRACT
It's important we establish clear expectations before beginning our work together. I take our work very seriously whilst bringing warmth and compassion to every session — and this is only possible within a boundaried, well-defined framework.
The expectations outlined below apply to both of us and provide the safe container within which meaningful therapeutic work can happen. Please read this document carefully before committing to working together — it will also help you determine whether my way of working is the right fit for you.
WEEKLY SESSIONS - 60 minutes — £90 per session
Sessions are held face to face in my garden cabin in Hassocks, West Sussex, or online via Zoom.
By agreeing to work together you are committing to attending a weekly appointment — the same day, the same time, every week. This slot is held exclusively for you for the duration of our work.
PAYMENT — WEEKLY SESSIONS
Session fees are to be paid within 24 hours of receiving your payment link, which I will send after each session. Your appointment is only confirmed once payment has been received and can be released to other clients if payment is not made on time.
A minimum of six weeks' notice will be given of any increase in session fees.
CANCELLATIONS — WEEKLY SESSIONS
All sessions are charged whether attended or not, and regardless of the reason for absence. This includes school holidays, illness, work commitments, family events, and any other circumstance.
This agreement serves several important purposes:
— The financial commitment encourages you to treat sessions as a genuine priority, enhancing outcomes for fully engaged clients.
— Payment for missed sessions discourages avoidance at challenging — but often the most valuable — points in the work.
— It establishes respectful reciprocity: I hold your time exclusively each week, and payment honours that commitment whether the session takes place or not.
— It places attendance decisions solely with you, as I have no agency over whether clients choose to attend.
With more than 48 hours' notice of a cancellation, I will try to offer an alternative time within the same week, though this cannot be guaranteed due to a full caseload. I ask that this option is not used as a workaround for an inconsistent schedule — if weekly sessions are not consistently achievable for you, this may not be the right time to begin.
Where an alternative appointment cannot be found, a payment link will be sent for the cancelled session, with payment due within 24 hours.
In the case of illness a session can be conducted via Zoom if preferred.
AD HOC SESSIONS — 60 minutes — £90
Ad hoc sessions are available to current clients wishing to book additional sessions, and to former clients returning for one-off check-ins.
Payment is due within 24 hours of receiving your payment link. Sessions are only confirmed once payment has been received.
Ad hoc sessions are non-refundable and non-transferable once booked.
INTENSIVE SESSIONS
3HR BLOCK / HALF DAY - £300
Intensive sessions run as a half-day block, available on Tuesday mornings (9.15am–12.30pm). The precise session structure within the 3hr time frame will be discussed in advance on a case-by-case basis.
PAYMENT — INTENSIVES
Intensive sessions are to be paid in full at the time of booking and within 24 hours of receiving your payment link. The session is only confirmed once payment has been received and can be released to other clients if payment is not made on time.
CANCELLATIONS - INTENSIVES
1. Cancellations made seven or more days before the session: non-refundable but transferable to an alternative date, or a 50% cancellation fee will be retained if a new date is not booked.
2. Cancellations made less than seven days but more than 24 hours in advance: non-transferable, with a 50% cancellation fee retained.
3. Cancellations made 24 hours or less before the session: non-refundable and non-transferable.
In the case of illness an Intensive Session can be conducted via Zoom if preferred.
ALL CLIENTS
CLIENT / THERAPIST CONTACT BETWEEN SESSIONS
All contact between sessions is via email and to be used for logistical communication only, or for me to send pre-agreed digital resources.
To preserve the therapeutic containment of the work, I ask that no personal reflections or therapeutic content is shared via email — this should be saved for the session itself. The exception is if there is a safety concern that does not feel safe to raise in session, particularly in the presence of a partner.
For couples work, please ensure your partner is copied into all emails to maintain transparency.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I uphold strict confidentiality regarding all client information and the work we do together. Your details and sessions remain private.
In exceptional circumstances where ethical or legal obligations arise — such as serious risk of harm, particularly to a child, or to prevent injustice — I may need to disclose information to relevant authorities. Where possible, I will discuss any proposed disclosure with you in advance, unless doing so might escalate risk to you or someone else.
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
I am an NCPS Accredited Registered Therapist and practise in accordance with their ethical guidelines. I have monthly supervision as part of my ongoing commitment to ethical and reflective practice.
DATA PROTECTION
Your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (May 2018) are fully upheld. All client records are confidential, kept securely, and seen only by me. Your personal data is used solely to provide the service to you. Records are retained for seven years and then securely destroyed. For my full data protection policy, please visit michaelamurphy.co.uk.