Professional Affiliation/ Membership

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy is the largest professional association for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK, with over 60,000 members. You have to have undertaken an approved accredited course or taken an admission test and provide references prior to being accepted as a member. Trauma Counselling Essex abides by the professional and ethical codes of the BACP. 

Confidential Counselling and Psychotherapy services are provided. This means that discussions within the counselling room are not shared with others, such as the child's teacher, an employer, or a partner or parent, unless there are safeguarding reasons when confidentiality has to be broken. Where safeguarding concerns have been raised and a person discloses suicidal ideation, for example, these are discussed with the client and the appropriate steps are taken to ensure they receive the support they need, noting the duty of care of the therapist. During therapy, children are encouraged to share with their parents where possible and appropriate, and in dyadic or family work they are present at the time of therapy. In cases of abuse it may not be appropriate to share with an abuser, for example.  Sometimes a child may ask the therapist to help explain their feelings to a parent. There are occasions, including child custody battles, or post adoption support, where reports are requested, but generally those seeking support are aware of this in advance.  Note that subpoenas can be issued for counselling and psychotherapy records in the UK. 

Parents and family members are strongly discouraged from interrogating clients following counselling sessions, and ideally they should be allowed to share at their own pace when they are ready. 

Trauma Counselling Essex holds personal and public liability insurance for all services provided.

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) govern how personal data is used. Trauma Counselling Essex is registered with the Information Commissioners Office and all data is stored securely in accordance with requirements. Minimum data is stored and for the minimum required length of time. No unnecessary data is stored, and nothing is passed on to third party organisations. 

Safeguarding is an important element in counselling and psychotherapy in order to keep the client and those around them safe. Professionals and organisations have responsibilities to those in their care. The BACP ethical code covers the interface between confidentiality and our duty of care to keep our clients safe. Safeguarding is particularly important for the most vulnerable in our society, such as children.  Where someone is at risk of causing harm to themselves or others, or is being harmed by another, the counsellor/ psychotherapist has a duty of care to take the appropriate action to safeguard the individual from harm or causing harm to self or others.

If you have any concerns please do speak with us and allow us a chance to address your concerns. Any formal complaints should be addressed to info@traumacounsellingessex.com and will be responded to within 48 hours.