Starting therapy

Before we begin, there are a few practical things to read through.
These help create clarity and safety in the therapeutic work.
You don’t need to absorb everything at once — this is simply an orientation, and we can talk through anything that raises questions.

  • Practitioner: Keeley Matthews
    Practice: The RelationSHIFT Counsellor

    This contract explains how therapy with me works. It is intended to support clarity, safety, and a respectful therapeutic relationship.

    The Work

    I offer relational psychodynamic counselling. This is a depth-focused approach that explores long-standing emotional and relational patterns, often shaped by earlier experiences, and how these may be affecting your life now.

    Therapy is a collaborative process. At times it may feel supportive and clarifying; at other times it may involve difficult or unfamiliar feelings. We work at a pace that feels manageable for you.

    Sessions

    • 50-minute sessions

    • Usually weekly, unless agreed otherwise

    • In person or online

    Regular sessions support continuity and depth. Any difficulties with attendance can be discussed.

    Fees

    • £70 per 50-minute session

    • Payable on the day of the session unless agreed otherwise

    • Fees are reviewed periodically and discussed in advance

    Cancellations

    • 48 hours’ notice required

    • Late cancellations or missed sessions are charged at the full fee

    • If I cancel, no fee is charged

    Boundaries

    • Contact between sessions is limited to practical and administrative matters only, such as arranging or changing appointments or fees.

    • Therapeutic work, emotional processing, or crisis support is not provided by email, text message, telephone, or messaging apps.

    • I do not engage with clients on social media, and the therapeutic relationship does not extend into social or business relationships.

    • Communication and online boundaries are managed in line with the Social Media & Communication Policy, which forms part of this agreement.

    These boundaries are guided by professional ethical standards and are intended to support safe and effective therapeutic work.

    Full details about communication and online boundaries are explained in the Social Media & Communication Policy.

    Ending Therapy

    You may end therapy at any time. Where possible, ending can be discussed to allow for reflection and closure.
    If I believe therapy is no longer helpful or appropriate, I will discuss this with you openly.

  • Therapy is something you choose to take part in. This document explains what you are consenting to.

    By consenting to therapy, you understand that:

    • Therapy is a talking-based process exploring thoughts, feelings, and relationships

    • There are no guaranteed outcomes

    • Therapy may involve difficult emotional material

    You are free to ask questions, pause, or end therapy at any time.

    Confidentiality

    What you share in therapy is confidential, except where:

    • there is serious risk of harm to you or others

    • I am legally required to disclose information

    • safeguarding concerns arise involving a child or vulnerable adult

    Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you first.

    Supervision

    I work under regular professional supervision. Client identities are not disclosed.

    Concerns or Complaints

    If something doesn’t feel right, I encourage you to raise it with me.
    If concerns remain unresolved, you may contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

  • This is a brief summary of how your information is handled in therapy.

    Personal information is stored securely in password-protected systems and accessed only where necessary, in line with professional standards and for the purposes of providing therapy.

    Full details are available in my complete Privacy Notice, which you can access on my website or on request.

    What Information I Hold

    • Contact details

    • Brief clinical notes

    • Appointment and payment records

    I only collect information necessary to provide therapy.

    How Information Is Stored

    • Secure electronic systems

    • Password-protected files

    • Locked storage for any paper records

    All data is handled in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

    Sharing Information

    Your information is not shared unless:

    • you give explicit consent

    • there is a legal or safeguarding obligation

    Your Rights

    You have the right to:

    • access your personal data

    • request corrections

    • ask questions about how your data is used

You can read the full Privacy Notice here.