Booking
Book a free introductory call, and costs.
You should not have to phone somebody to find prices.
Book online
If you would rather not write anything at all, you can put the free fifteen minutes straight into my diary yourself. There is no phone number to call: book a slot and I will call you at the time you choose, by phone or Teams.
The confirmation comes from Darnelle Collaborative Counselling, and the appointment in it is named "Introductory call". If the practice name appearing in your inbox is a problem, email me and I will use a plain personal address instead.
If no times are available, email me and I'll give you an estimated wait time.
Booking a slot commits you to nothing. You can cancel it from the confirmation email without giving a reason, and after we speak either of us can say no.
What it costs
By Teams video call or phone, booked via email or online. You say roughly what has brought you here, I explain how I work. No obligation on either side.
In person in Edinburgh and West Lothian, or online. Weekly or fortnightly.
A limited number of places, for people receiving Universal Credit, ESA, PIP or a state pension. I will not ask you to go into great detail regarding your circumstances.
The details
Paying
- Bank transfer, 48 hours before the day of our session.
- Secure payment link, sent by email 48 hours before the day of our session.
- Or cash, if you would rather, on the day.
There is no joining fee.
Fee reviews
I look at my prices once a year in April. If they change I will tell you at least two months beforehand, and if you are partway through work with me your rate stays as it is until you finish.
If you cannot make a session
Give me 48 hours notice and there is no charge. Less than that and I ask for the full fee, because the hour is held for you and cannot be filled. If you are ill, please tell me and we can make arrangements.
Your statutory right to cancel
Because you book at a distance, by email, phone, or online booking, you have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of us agreeing to work together. This is separate from the notice period above.
If your first session falls inside those 14 days, I will ask you to confirm in writing that you want to start early and that you understand you will be charged for any sessions delivered before you cancel, and that the right ends once the work we agreed has been fully carried out. This is a consumer regulation, it does apply to counselling.
If it is not working
Please say. It is not rude and I will not take it badly. Either we change how we are working, or I help you find someone else. Nobody is obliged to stay with a counsellor who is not right for them.
Complaints
Tell me first if you feel able to. If not, or if we can't resolve things, you can complain to my professional body, whose complaints procedure is public. Their details and my registration number are on the about page.
Your information
I keep brief session notes, held securely, and destroy them after seven years. Enquiries from people who do not go on to become clients are deleted within three months. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, registration number ZC231956. Full details of what I collect, why, and your rights over it are on the privacy page; you can complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how I have handled it.
What happens next
- You will hear back. If you already booked a session slot, the confirmation email arrives straight away. If you emailed me, I reply within two working days.
- If you asked to arrange a free consultation, we will have fifteen minutes, by phone or Teams video call, whichever suits you. To discuss how we can work together.
- After that, either of us can say no. If it's a yes, we book a first session.
- If I am full, I will tell you straight away and give an estimated wait time.