What is counselling

Counselling is about someone actively to listening to you explore the feelings and emotions that are related to your experiences. Counselling allows you to reflect on what is happening and to consider alternative ways of doing things in a safe non-judgmental and accepting environment. Counselling affords you the time, empathy, respect and ability to understand your experience. It isn't about giving you advice or telling you what to do. It allows you to go at your own pace and feel supported with any changes you wish to make.

Confidentiality
There are a number of circumstances in which Genesis Counselling Service (GCS) cannot legally or ethically maintain confidentiality within the service. Wherever possible GCS will make every attempt to communicate with you first explaining the reasons for the need to pass on information and to whom this will be given. This ensures that you are kept informed at all time within the process. Some of these exceptions are listed below and would qualify as areas of authorised disclosure:

Safeguarding Children: Disclosure of information indicating that a child is at risk of significant harm will be reported as GCS has a duty of care to keep children safe under the Children Act
Serious Harm: If you tell me anything that could cause harm to you are anyone else this may be passed on to the appropriate authorities.
Offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1987: GCS will break confidentiality by law if information is given on any planned act of terrorism.
Drug Money Laundering: Information disclosed pertaining to laundering of drug money will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Clinical supervision is an ethical requirement and exists to protect the client and to monitor the work of the counsellor. I receive regular supervision as required and I adhere to working within the ethics and practices of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC).