Practitioner’s Name: Joseph Aquilina
Email: j.aquilina@neuroknowhow.com
Mobile: 07973742430 (I do not accept contact via Whats App or other social media).
1. Introduction
Please read the information below carefully as it forms an agreement as to how we will work together and outlines my professional obligations regarding confidentiality. Please ask any questions before signing.
2. Qualifications and Membership
I am a member of the BACP and abide by their Ethical Framework. For more information, see the BACP Ethical Framework at https://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical-framework. I carry professional liability insurance cover which includes my counselling practice.
3. The way that I work
My psychotherapeutic practice is grounded in an integrative approach to counselling and therapy, with a commitment to safe, ethical, and effective practice. Rooted in the Humanistic tradition, it places the therapeutic relationship – built on empathy, acceptance, and authenticity – at the heart of the work. I also draw on transpersonal, existential, mindfulness-based, and cognitive behavioural (CBT) approaches, integrating these with creative modalities such as music and visual arts to support clients in a holistic and meaningful way.
Please see – https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy for more information on different therapeutic approaches.
4. Session Arrangements
The session day, time and location will be confirmed by email for the first session and then by calendar invite. All sessions are 50 minutes on a weekly basis.
5. Fees and Payment
- Session Fee and payment method: Confirmed by email prior to the first session.
- Cancellation Policy: Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be charged in full.
6. Confidentiality
As a member of BACP I am bound by their Ethical Framework to protect a client’s confidentiality. Therefore, everything that we discuss is confidential except in certain circumstances, which are listed below.
Harm to self or others: I reserve the right to break confidentiality if I think that you have become a danger to yourself or other people. I will attempt to discuss this with you and my supervisor first, but this may not always be possible.
For legal and ethical reasons: I am not bound by confidentiality if in good faith I feel that I can assist in the prevention or detection of a serious crime, this includes safeguarding issues regarding children or vulnerable adults, crimes regarding substantial financial gains and losses, and acts of terrorism.
Concerns for your wellbeing: In the event of my having concerns for your wellbeing, I will encourage you to contact an appropriate service for support, and I will always attempt to gain your consent should I need to contact your emergency contact or refer you to another service, such as your GP.*
Keep safe policy: In certain cases where you may have declared a clear and definite intention to end your life, or if I have reason to believe this to be true, we may after a careful discussion agree to put in place a ’keep safe policy’ where you will agree to take certain measures, such as get in touch with your mental health crisis team, or talk to the Samaritans as a way of safeguarding and ensuring your safety.
Continued Professional Development (CPD): As part of my CPD, I am required to attend clinical supervision, this is where counsellors regularly meet with a qualified supervisor to reflect on and improve their practice. Supervision supports ethical, safe, and effective work, and is essential for maintaining professional standards. Confidentiality is upheld in supervision: client details are discussed only to the extent necessary for professional development, and supervisors are also bound by confidentiality rules. This ensures client privacy is protected while enabling practitioner growth.
7. Record Keeping
As a member of BACP I am required to keep accurate and appropriate notes of our work together. I record my session notes securely on a laptop that is only used by me, and this is password protected at both the level of the individual document and the laptop itself.
NeuroKnowHow is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (insert ICO number) and any information that I keep is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 18) and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation UK-GDPR see Information Commissioner’s Office: https://ico.org.uk and BACP’s Privacy notice. https://www.bacp.co.uk/privacy-notice.
8. Commitment to Anti-Discriminatory Practice
I am committed to providing an anti-discriminatory and inclusive service to all clients.
9. Complaints
If you have concerns about the service, please speak to me in the first instance. If unresolved, you may contact the BACP for further guidance.
10. Ending Therapy
You may end therapy at any time. I usually ask that you talk about an ending with me in advance, so that we can plan an ending and review our work together. I reserve the right to end therapy if necessary, with appropriate notice and explanation.
11. Emergencies
I will try to respond to contact in a timely manner, but I do not provide a crisis service. If you require emergency or urgent professional assistance please contact NHS direct telephone 111, your GP, the emergency services or the Samaritans freephone 116123.
