Working Agreement for EFT [Emotional Freedom Technique] Tapping Sessions
F:F (in Person) / Online
This contract/working agreement describes how we can work together. Please do read it through, so that I can answer any questions at the beginning of the process.
About me:
I am a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work within the BACP’s ‘Ethical Framework for Counsellors’, and the ‘BACP Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy’. Information relating to both documents, including what to do if you are unhappy with your counsellor/therapist, can be found at: www.bacp.co.uk
I work in private practice as an integrative therapist, which means I blend various different modalities, or theories to suit your needs best. I offer counselling, psychotherapy and EFT tapping sessions which can be face-to-face and/or online. I also offer EFT sessions as a standalone option, as well as a tool which is part of my working in an integrative way and my standard Working Agreement.
I have experience of working with clients across ages ranging from age 18 upwards. I have the fullest commitment to offering an impartial service which is welcoming to all backgrounds, with a commitment to avoiding harm and promoting the wellbeing of clients.
EFT Tapping: An Introduction and Its Benefits
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly known as EFT Tapping or simply "tapping," is a self-help therapeutic tool that blends elements of cognitive therapy and exposure therapy with acupressure. This integrative approach draws upon ancient Chinese medicine and modern psychology to address emotional and physical distress. Over recent decades, EFT Tapping has garnered attention as a gentle, non-invasive method that individuals can use for themselves or with a practitioner to manage stress, anxiety, and a wide array of other concerns.
What is EFT Tapping?
EFT Tapping is a process that involves tapping with the fingertips on specific meridian points located on the body, mainly on the face and upper body, while focusing on a particular issue. These meridian points, also known as acupoints, are the same points targeted in acupuncture and acupressure. However, instead of using needles or sustained pressure, EFT employs a series of gentle taps.
The process is typically structured in a sequence. While tapping on these acupoints, the individual states aloud (or silently) a setup phrase that acknowledges the problem and affirms self-acceptance, such as, "Even though I feel anxious about this presentation, I deeply and completely accept myself." The practitioner or individual then taps through the sequence of points, repeating reminders of the issue at each point.
Please do read the further more detailed information, which can be found on my EFT Tapping page: EFT Tapping Technique — Chrisalis Counselling
Confidentiality Policy
1. Please see separate document.
2. If sessions are being paid for by a third party, confidentiality is maintained strictly between the therapist and client and content of sessions will not be disclosed to the third party. However, the attendance of sessions may need to be relayed to the third party, to ensure they are aware of what they are paying for. Having a third party paying ongoing for sessions where they are cancelled late, or not attended, would not be ethical.
Data Privacy Policy
1. Please see separate document.
Cancellations / No Shows / Missed sessions
1. Cancellations within a week of the booked session incur the full cost of the session.
2. If the session is not attended, this incurs the full cost of the session.
Fees & Payment for Sessions (including EFT)
1. The initial assessment session requires talking through a working agreement, confidentiality and data privacy documents, as well as taking some basic information eg name, address, contact details etc. This is to ensure I am working professionally and ethically, in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework. This session will last for 50 mins and costs £60, unless otherwise agreed.
2. For subsequent sessions, whether EFT is part of working integratively, or as a separate EFT session, sessions last for 50 mins and cost £60.
3. I accept payment preferably by bank transfer or BACS, which should be paid 24 hours in advance of the session for both F:F and online sessions.
4. I accept payment by cash for face-to-face sessions on the day if we have agreed this in advance. For cash payments, you understand that payment is due at the beginning of the session.
Session Appointments: Face-to-Face
This sets out what is expected from the therapeutic relationship for our sessions that are held face-to-face.
1. Consultations/sessions are strictly by appointment only.
2. If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time.
3. For therapeutic reasons I reserve the right not to continue with a session if you are under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. However, you will still be responsible for paying for the session.
4. My therapy room is a non-smoking area (including e-cigarettes).
5. I do not have a waiting area, therefore I would ask that you arrive at the time of the appointment, not earlier. If you do arrive early, I may need to ask you to return at the correct time. This is also to protect the privacy of other clients as well as yourself.
6. You understand that I do not have toilet facilities available for public use. The nearest public toilets are at Bedgrove Park (1 mile, approx. 3 mins drive away), or Aylesbury Town Centre (2.5 miles, approx. 10 mins drive away), or Wendover Car Park (5 miles, approx. 12 mins drive away).
7. You understand that I have a small, well-behaved, quiet, hypoallergenic therapy companion dog, who is likely to sit ..or sleep in the sessions with us.
Session Appointments: Online
This sets out what is expected from the therapeutic relationship for our sessions that are held online.
1. It is important for you to find a safe, confidential space to have your therapy session, somewhere that you cannot be overheard or interrupted by other people.
2. It is important that you are alone in the room with no children or other people.
3. I respectfully ask that you are fully dressed for the session and not in bed for the online sessions.
4. For therapeutic reasons I reserve the right not to continue with a session if you are under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. However, you will still be responsible for paying for the session.
5. Online sessions are strictly by appointment only.
6. The format that I use for online sessions is Zoom, as this is one of the most encrypted formats.
7. Online sessions are organised for an agreed date and time.
8. If you are late attending the session, I will stay online for 15 minutes to allow for any eventualities. The session will still end at the original scheduled time. If you do not make contact within this time, the session will be considered missed and will be cancelled, however payment will still be due.
9. If there are technical issues, we will discuss this eventuality and come to another arrangement or reschedule the date.
Contacting Me / Emergency Contact Information
1. I do not provide a 24-hour emergency service for clients.
2. My normal available working hours are Mon 17:00 – 21:00, Tues & Wed 09:00 - 21:00 and Thu 09:00 – 17:00.
3. If you need to talk to me to book or reschedule an appointment, I cannot guarantee that I will be available to talk immediately. However, I will do my best to respond to you promptly and within 24 hours (of my available working hours).
4. If you need to cancel or re-arrange an appointment outside of my normal available hours, please text me, leave a voice-message on my mobile, or send an email and I will respond to you as soon as I can, within my available working hours.
5. In the event of an emergency arising during the period that we are engaged in working together or if you were experiencing thoughts about ending your life or serious self-harm, please see the Crisis Support page on my website: Crisis Support — Chrisalis Counselling
Covid-19 – when required by government guidelines, for face to face sessions
Access to my therapy room in my conservatory is via a side gate entrance, which leads directly to the room.
Hand sanitizer and temperature checks will be offered / checked on entry to the therapy room.
Seating will be 2 meters apart.
An air purifier with HEPA filter is used and the room ventilated between clients for at least 30 mins.
Hard and soft furnishings will have been sprayed with antiviral disinfectant spray between clients.
I will take a lateral flow test regularly / weekly if these are required by government guidelines.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus and need to isolate, please let me know as soon as possible, and please do not attend F:F sessions.
For cancellation of F:F sessions owing to Covid-19, online sessions will be offered during the time you are required to isolate or recover. Payment for online sessions is required 24 hours in advance of the session.
If I have symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in contact with someone who has the virus, I will let you know as soon as possible and postpone / rearrange the session to another date, or offer online sessions, if I am well enough.
If lockdown restrictions are reinstated for any reason, I will offer online sessions instead of F:F sessions for the duration of the required period, under government guidelines.
Vacation
1. I take approximately 7 weeks’ vacation each year for rest, self-care and to attend CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training. During these times I will not be available.
2. I will aim to provide you with as much advance notice as possible of these dates.
About my professional boundaries
1. As my client, I will always treat you professionally and with respect. In return, I also expect to be treated with the same respect. Abusive, violent, or manipulative behaviour is not acceptable at any time and will result in immediate termination of therapy.
2. As your therapist, it is important that we maintain professional boundaries. I will not offer or be able to accept invitations for friendship or sexual relationships, and I will not be able to accept expensive gifts or “tips”.
3. I ask that you respect my privacy at all times, that you agree to attend sessions on the time and day of our appointments and by not making any unsolicited visits outside of these times.
This agreement shall be construed and governed in all respects in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and any dispute or differences in relation to this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this contract / working agreement. I hope it gives you a clear understanding of what to expect from our sessions and our working together. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please sign (electronically if needed via email) and date here, or send an email, to confirm that you have read this document and agree to working in accordance with this agreement, in order for us to proceed with therapy.
Client Name (or Client ID if preferred):
Signature: Date:
Counsellor Name: Chrissy Peel
Signature: Date: