Dear client,

As you are aware, we are in the midst of a rapidly changing situation. Currently I am following the advice of the government, NHS, and my professional body the BACP and will continue to keep myself updated.

As a result of this advice I have taken the difficult decision to cease meeting with clients in a face to face capacity. I have not taken this decision lightly and I am aware that this will have an impact on everyone that I currently work with.

Why I have taken this decision

I feel that it is my professional responsibility to minimise close contact with as many individuals as I can in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus.

Your wellbeing is important to me and I feel that for us to continue to meet in close proximity would be too much of a risk at the current time, both for you and for others that I work with who have additional vulnerabilities/underlying health conditions. I hope that you can understand this.

What I can continue to offer

I want you to know that it is important to me that I continue to offer you a therapeutic space if you would like this. I am suggesting therefore that we move our therapy to ‘virtual’ sessions. I believe that there are a few ways that we could seek to do this:

• FaceTime (if you have an Apple iphone/ipad etc)
• Zoom (although I have not used this App it is apparently similar to Skype and a useful, free to use App)
• Telephone sessions

I am aware that this is a significant change and this may take us a while to become familiar in managing our sessions in this way, however, I believe that it is possible for us to continue in this way.
I will continue to conduct these virtual sessions from my therapy room, ensuring that I have a comfortable and confidential space for me to conduct the session. It will also be important to make sure you have a comfortable space where you can speak without being overheard.

I will be developing a new counselling agreement to reflect this change in the therapy which I will of course share with you.

Illness/Risk of infection

If I become unwell and need to cancel a session, I will let you know via text or email as soon as possible.

If illness or other unforeseen events mean that I need to take an unplanned break from counselling again I will let you know as soon as possible, and we can discuss alternative resources and support if needed.

If I am diagnosed with the virus it may be necessary for me to supply the NHS with a list of people I have recently been in contact with. I do not have to disclose in what capacity I have had contact. If this concerns you please let me know and we can discuss alternative measures.

What I would like you to do

I am aware that this change in therapy arrangements may not feel ideal for you and that there may be practical arrangements why this does not feel possible. If you are feeling anxious consider whether it might be better for you to have some support rather than not attempt therapy in this way. I will seek to be as flexible as possible to enable sessions to take place if there are work/childcare reasons why the session time agreed no longer works for you.

Please bear in mind that I do have a 24-hour cancellation policy and I hope you can continue to be understanding of this whilst abiding by this new guidance.

Mental Health

Remember, feeling worried, anxious or distressed is understandable in these circumstances, and it is ok to not feel ok.

Take some time to be kind to yourself and to be understanding about how you are feeling. Talk to yourself in the same way that you would talk to a best friend.

Here are some links that you might find helpful;

BACP – how to cope with corona virus anxiety

NHS Covid-19 advice

Self-isolation guidance

Public Health Matters blog

It is important to remember you are not alone, and I hope that I can continue to be a source of help and support to you in our sessions. I care about your welfare and your wellbeing and I hope this new arrangement is something that is going to be possible for you. If you have any questions or concerns or there is anything you would like to discuss please do let me know,

Chris

07968 864461
Balance-counselling@outlook.com www.balance-counselling.com