Terms · Sessions · Confidentiality
These are the ground rules for working with me, written to be read rather than skimmed past. Most of it is simply how any good therapy relationship runs. If anything here is unclear or worries you, ask me on the free introductory call before we start.
The short version
The essentials, before the detail.
The full terms
These terms cover the therapy I provide as Online Therapist In London (Brian Sheppard, Clinical Psychotherapist & Mental Health Specialist, UKCP registered) and your use of this website. By booking a session you're agreeing to them. How I handle your information is explained separately in my privacy policy.
I work online, one-to-one, with adults aged 18 and over who live in the UK.
Before anything else, we have a short introductory call. It's free and there's no obligation. It's a chance for you to ask questions and for both of us to see whether working together feels right. If I don't think I'm the right person to help, I'll say so and suggest where else you might look.
Sessions last 50 minutes and take place on Zoom. I send you a private link before each one. Please join from somewhere private, where you won't be overheard or interrupted, with a steady internet connection.
Neither of us records sessions, in any form. If the connection drops, I'll try to reconnect, and if we can't, we'll continue by phone or rearrange, at no extra cost to you.
Between sessions, messages are for arranging times rather than for therapy itself. I'll reply as soon as I reasonably can, but I can't promise an immediate response.
Sessions are £80. You pay by bank transfer after each session, and I'll send a receipt by email. There's no registration fee and no block booking. You only pay for the sessions you have.
A small number of reduced-fee places are available; ask me about them on the introductory call.
If my fee ever changes, I'll give current clients at least a month's notice. Full details are on my fees page.
Give me at least 24 hours' notice and there's nothing to pay; we simply rearrange. If you cancel with less notice, or don't join, the full session fee is charged, because that time was held for you. If something genuinely unforeseeable happens, tell me as soon as you can and we'll be sensible about it.
If I ever have to cancel, I'll tell you as early as possible and there's never a charge.
What you tell me stays between us. I follow the UK Council for Psychotherapy's code of ethics, and I take my work to clinical supervision without ever identifying you.
There are a few rare situations in which I may have to share information without your agreement:
If that ever happens, I'll talk to you first wherever it's safe to do so, and share only what's necessary.
You can stop whenever you choose. It usually helps to have a final session to close things properly, but that's up to you. I may also end our work if I believe it's no longer helping you, or if these terms are seriously broken. If so, I'll explain why and suggest other support where I can.
Please tell me first. Most concerns can be talked through and put right. If you're not satisfied, or you'd rather not raise it with me, you can complain to my professional body, the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), through its complaints process at psychotherapy.org.uk.
The information on this website is general and isn't a substitute for professional advice about your own situation. I work hard to keep it accurate and up to date. Links to other websites are there because they may help, but I'm not responsible for their content.
I provide therapy with professional care and skill, and I hold professional indemnity insurance. Therapy works differently for everyone, so I can't promise a particular outcome. Nothing in these terms limits my responsibility where the law doesn't allow it to be limited, including for negligence.
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. If I update them, I'll change the date on this page and tell current clients about anything that affects them.
First step
If anything on this page is unclear, that's a good place to ask. There's no pressure to continue afterwards.
First step
Free introductory call
£0