Terms & Conditions

1. About These Terms

These terms and conditions govern the counselling services provided by Caroline Maguire, trading as Caroline's Creative Counselling. By booking a session, you agree to these terms.

These terms do not affect your statutory rights.

2. The Service

Caroline Maguire is a qualified Humanistic Counsellor, trained at the University of Chichester, and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She works in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

Sessions are available online (UK-wide), in person in West Sussex, and as walk and talk sessions near Brighton and Hove. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration unless otherwise agreed.

Counselling is not a medical treatment and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis or require emergency support, please contact your GP, call 999, or contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).

3. Free Initial Consultation

A free initial consultation of approximately 20 minutes is offered before any sessions are booked. This is an informal conversation to help both parties decide whether working together feels right. There is no obligation to proceed, and no charge is made for this consultation.

4. Session Fees

The current session fee is £65 per 50-minute session for online counselling and in-person counselling in Henfield, and £75 per 50-minute session for in-person counselling in Steyning (includes room hire). Walk and talk counselling sessions are £115 per 50-minute session.

Creative counselling sessions (in-person only, 60 minutes including materials) are £85 per session.

Fees are reviewed periodically. You will be given reasonable notice of any change to your session fee.

Payment is due prior to each session, unless you have prepaid a block of sessions (see below). Accepted payment methods: bank transfer or cash.

Welcome Offer. A 10% discount is available on your first block of 10 sessions when the total is paid in advance. This offer is entirely optional and applies to all session types and locations.

Paying in advance does not commit you to attending all ten sessions. If you choose to end counselling before the block is complete, any unused sessions will be refunded. Sessions already attended will be charged at the standard, undiscounted rate, and the balance returned to you. Prepaid sessions do not expire, and the cancellation policy in section 5 applies to them in the same way as to individually paid sessions.

5. Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please give at least 48 hours' notice.

Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice may be charged at the full session fee, except in genuine emergencies, which will be considered at Caroline's discretion.

If Caroline needs to cancel or reschedule a session, she will give as much notice as possible and no charge will be made.

6. Confidentiality

Everything discussed in sessions is confidential. There are limited exceptions to this, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework:

• Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or to others
• Where disclosure is required by law
• Where safeguarding concerns arise involving a child or vulnerable adult

In these circumstances, Caroline will aim to discuss any intended disclosure with you first, unless doing so would place you or others at risk.

7. Online Sessions

Online sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. You are responsible for ensuring a suitable private space and a stable internet connection.

Sessions must not be recorded by either party without the explicit written consent of the other.

8. Walk and Talk Sessions

Walk and talk sessions take place outdoors near Brighton and Hove. You attend at your own risk. Caroline holds appropriate professional indemnity insurance, but is not liable for any personal injury or loss of property during outdoor sessions.

Sessions may need to be moved to an online or indoor format in the event of severe weather, at Caroline's discretion.

9. Ending Therapy

You are free to end counselling at any time. It is generally recommended that you discuss this with Caroline in advance where possible, so that the ending can be planned in a way that feels supportive.

Caroline reserves the right to end or suspend the therapeutic relationship if she believes it is no longer appropriate or safe to continue, and will endeavour to discuss this with you and, where appropriate, suggest onward referral.

10. Complaints

If you have a concern or complaint about the service, please raise it directly with Caroline in the first instance at carolinescreativecounselling@gmail.com.

If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may refer your complaint to the BACP at bacp.co.uk.

11. Limitation of Liability

Caroline's Creative Counselling shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental loss arising from the use of counselling services or this website, except where such liability cannot be excluded by law.

12. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

13. Contact

For any questions regarding these terms, please contact Caroline at carolinescreativecounselling@gmail.com.