Fees & Practicalities
The best way to make contact with me is by email at: emmawestoncounselling@proton.me
Below are details of the practicalities of working with me. I aim to be transparent in my communication, and if there is anything that is not clear, please feel free to ask.
My availability is:
Monday to Thursday daytimes from 8am GMT, with a small number of Friday appointments, and very limited evening appointments.
7-Steps to Starting Therapy
1) Get in touch and email me to request a 50-minute exploratory Zoom or phone Call. This is an opportunity for us both to ask any questions we may have and for me to find out why you are seeking therapy.
2) I will reply with my availability.
3) You email back your chosen slot and pay at the time of booking. Fees for exploratory appointments are £40 8am -5pm and £45 from 5pm.
4) The exploratory call allows us to discuss expectations & ask questions. This helps to determine if we are a good fit to work together. If we are not a good fit, I may be able to help signpost you to someone or a service better suited to your needs.
5) After the exploratory call, feel free to think it over and email me when you're ready to proceed to book a block of therapy.
6) Decide if you want weekly or fortnightly sessions & I'll send the working agreement that sets out how we'll work together.
7) This must be completed and returned before we begin our work.
Exploratory appointment fees are payable at the time of booking to secure the slot otherwise these slots come available for others to book. If payment is not received by the end of the business day that they are booked, the appointment will be available for others to book. Payment secures the appointment. The appointment will be confirmed once payment is received.
Exploratory/introduction Session fees
- £40 (up to 5pm)-£45 (from 5pm)
- 50-minute session (half the price of my standard fee)
- Perfect for exploring whether we're a good fit to work together.
- Available as an online or telephone session.
Transparent Fees
My fees are listed on my website and on my directory listings. I will review my fees annually at the beginning of each year, with any increases likely to take place from April (in line with the tax year). Increases are based on rising costs for insurance premiums, utilities and office overheads, resources, clinical supervision, Continuing Professional Development, training, conferences, technology, online therapy platforms, BACP membership and accreditation fees, and accounting and administrative expenses. I usually provide at least a month’s notice for fee increases.
All counselling and supervision fees are due 24 hours before each appointment. Sessions will not go ahead unless they are paid for in advance.
Standard Counselling Session fees
- 50-minute session
- Daytime: £80
- Evenings (5pm+) £90
- Very limited evening availability
Extended Session fees
- 90-minute session
- Daytime £120
- For EMDR or counselling/psychotherapy when you need more time for deeper work.
The Practicalities of counselling work
- Sessions are usually booked in blocks of 6, usually the same time and day each week or fortnight with a review at session 4 (and on-going reviews beyond this if you choose to continue beyond session 6). Some people then either stop therapy, or continue on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on needs.
- Standard appointments are 50 minutes, extended appointments are for 90 minutes.
- My cancellation policy is 48 hours.
- Appointments take place over Zoom.
- Policies such as confidentiality, GDPR etc will be set out in a working agreement/contract before therapy starts.
- I run a busy counselling practice and I may not always have times and days that suit, sometimes there may be a wait for preferred days and times.
Inactive Therapy and Closing/Ending Sessions
Therapy is a very subjective process, and while some people attend for months or years, other people may only need a few sessions. Therapy can end at any time for different reasons. I request that if you are no longer needing, or able to attend sessions, to please reach out so I can ethically and appropriately close your case and offer the slot to other clients seeking therapy. You are always welcome to return!
Response Times
Weekday Emails - usually replied to within 24-48 hours (Monday-Thursday)
Weekend Emails - Emails received on Fridays and weekends will be responded to on the Monday after. I aim to be responsive while maintaining healthy boundaries and a work-life balance.
Scheduling
I strongly recommend pre-booking your sessions a few weeks or months in advance where possible so you can reserve the days and times that work best for you. Having scheduled appointments will support your therapeutic progress with its consistency and make it easier to keep track of your own schedule.
Cancellation Policy
Full fees will be charged for no-shows or cancellations that happen with less than 48 hours notice. No-shows or last-minute cancellations means that it is not possible to book another client in for that spot. I request that all cancellations occur with a minimum of 48 hours notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will incur the full fee. Failing to show up after 15 minutes into a session considered a no-show, and full fees are charged.
Crisis Support
I cannot provide a crisis service. If you are in crisis, please contact:
- NHS 111: For mental health emergencies
- 999: For immediate crisis
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free 24-hour phone line)
Ready to Book?
Please feel free to email me to check my current availability. I offer a half-price 50-minute introductory online or telephone session so we can get a sense of whether we're a good fit to work together.
Supervision Fees
I provide integrative supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as other health professionals. Fees are £60–£120, depending on requirements, such as student concessions, and how much supervision is required. All supervision fees are due 24 hours before each appointment.
Rates for Reports and Accreditation
I charge my usual hourly fee for any reports and I charge a fee of 3 hours work for Accreditation reports.
Concessions and Student Rates
I can offer a limited number of reduced-fee places for counselling and psychotherapy students, as well as others on lower incomes, for therapy, mentoring, or supervision. Reduced fee sessions will usually mean joining a waiting list and these are limited.
Training, Groups & Seminars
For training, groups, seminars, or group supervision, please get in touch with your requirements so we can discuss what I can offer.
Mentoring
If you'd like support with your private practice, I also offer mentoring sessions and would be happy to discuss how I can help.
Unfortunately I don't have capacity to answer calls that have not been booked in during my working week. My phone tends to be on "do not disturb" when I am working and I have activated a call screening service as I don't answer unsolicited calls. The best way to communicate with me and make contact with me to book an appointment is by email.
Please email me at emmawestoncounselling@proton.me to check my current availability.
