Confidentiality and Fair Treatment

Psychotherapists and counsellors provide confidential treatment. This usually means that your sessions will not be discussed with anyone. There are, however, some important limits to confidentiality.

Professional practice requires that therapists discuss their work with a supervisor who can keep an eye on their practice and ensure that it continues to be of high quality. Clients' treatments are discussed in this confidential setting but are never spoken about beyond that.

The law places certain obligations on psychotherapists:
Psychotherapists are required to provide copies of their case notes or to appear in person when ordered to do so by a Judge.

Psychotherapists are obliged to report the following to the appropriate authorities:

• current child abuse including paedophilia
• threats of deliberate harm against the life of another person or to one-self
• threats to commit terrorist acts

Psychotherapists are obliged by their registering bodies to abide by codes of ethical practice, transgression of which can lead to being 'struck-off' the register.
Ethical practice includes, for example:

• not exploiting clients emotionally, sexually or financially
• not making false claims about their training, abilities or practice
• maintaining appropriate confidentiality
• being properly insured to undertake private psychotherapy practice

Copies of codes of ethics will be supplied by the therapist upon request.

Unethical practice should be reported in the first instance to a Director of The Bridge.

Clients have the right to see any clinical notes that may be held about them upon written request.

Fair Treatment

Non-discrimination
The Bridge Service has a clear policy of non-discrimination. We do not discriminate against people on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, spiritual beliefs and practices or political views.

Disabled access
Our consulting rooms on Borough High Street are in a very old building with no lift. Clients needing disabled access can be seen by arrangement at other suitable consulting rooms nearby.

Asthma and allergies
Being mindful of those of us, both clients and therapists, who may have respiratory difficulties, smoking is not permitted on the premises and we ask that you not apply perfume, after-shave or other scented lotions on the day of your session. Please inform us of anything in The Bridge environment that may be causing allergic reactions.