Counselling and the Law

Helpful advice for searching for a counsellor or similar therapist in the UK. How do you make sure that the ones you are finding are qualified, experienced and safe ... or are an unqualified fake? This article offers advice and suggestions on finding a suitable therapist.

Protecting the confidentiality of the client is vital in counselling work - even when the client thinks that breaking confidentiality will benefit them in some way.

Confidentiality is one of the most vital services that a counsellor can provide for his client - but British law can have precedent over such confidentiality. A counsellor should discuss this during the first meeting with the client - and, where possible, should remind the client if the client strays into discussing illegal matters.

What is a counselling contract (or 'agreement'), how do therapists use it, and what information goes into it.

When a therapist says 'our work is confidential' does that mean exactly what you think it does - and has your counsellor told you exactly what confidentiality means to the counsellor?