Our Couples Therapy Agreement With You Both (Terms and Conditions) 

Our Terms of working

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1. Ethical Framework

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All therapists within London Counsellors practise under the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework. In couples therapy, the relationship is considered the primary client. The therapist is impartial, non-judgmental, and does not take sides.

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2. Purpose and Nature of Couples Therapy

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Couples attend for various reasons, including staying together, improving communication, rebuilding trust, or separating amicably. The therapist does not make decisions for the couple, offer legal advice, or judge who is “right” or “wrong.”

The work is exploratory, supportive, and focused on:

• communication patterns

• emotional connection

• conflict management

• safety

• shared meaning

• relationship goals

The therapist may challenge behaviours or patterns that are harmful to the relationship or the individuals.

 

3. Fees

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Fees for couples therapy differ from individual therapy due to the increased complexity of work. Fees must be paid 48 hours before the session. Missed or late-cancelled sessions are charged in full.

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3. Fees sliding scale 

I offer a sliding scale from £80 to £120, depending on your household income and circumstances.
Most couples end up choosing between £90 and £110.
The aim is to choose something fair for your situation and sustainable for ongoing work.​

• £80 – Both unemployed / on benefits/household income under £28,000

• £90 – One employed, one unemployed / household income £28,000–£45,000

• £100 – Both employed on average salaries/household income £45,000–£65,000

• £110 – Both employed with above-average incomes/household income £65,000–£85,000

• £120 – High-earning household/income above £85,000

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• 3.1 Fee Structure & Sustainability Clause (Couples Work)

• Our fee structure is provided as a guide, not a fixed rule. We ask that you consider your household income, regular outgoings, and the sustainability of attending therapy when choosing your weekly fee.

• When starting couples therapy, we encourage you to plan for an initial 8-session block, which typically follows this format:

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• Session 1: Joint session

• Sessions 2 & 3: One individual session each

• Sessions 4–8: Five joint sessions

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• This structure offers a solid foundation, but it may be adjusted depending on the needs of the relationship.

• We value our couples work at £120 per session, but we aim to remain accessible. Therefore, we ask that you pay as much as you can realistically and sustainably afford, rather than as little as possible. This allows us to continue offering high-quality support to you and to others who may need a reduced fee.

• We are not a charity, and therefore operate on collective goodwill. This means:

• Paying at the higher end of your affordability helps make space for others who genuinely need a discount.

• If your circumstances change (for example, employment or income increases), we ask that you review your fee in fairness to the service.

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• Please refer to our Discount Policy for more information.

• Choosing a sustainable fee supports consistency in your therapeutic process and ensures we can offer continued care throughout your work together.

 

4. Confidentiality & Transparency Between Partners

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4.1 Shared Confidentiality

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Couples therapy operates under shared confidentiality.
Information disclosed in sessions is considered part of the work with both partners.

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4.2 No Secret-Keeping Policy

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To maintain therapeutic integrity, the therapist cannot hold secrets from one partner on behalf of the other.

If one partner discloses information privately (e.g., by phone, email, text, or a separate session), the therapist will:

• Encourage the partner to bring the information into the next session, and

• Reserve the right to bring the information into the shared space if it directly affects the work.

If a partner requests complete secrecy, the therapist may need to:

• decline the information

• pause the work

• or suggest individual therapy for that issue

This policy promotes fairness and helps avoid the creation of unbalanced alliances.

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5. Contact Outside of Sessions

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All communication outside of sessions must be practical only (booking, payment, cancellations).

The therapist will not:

• engage in lengthy discussions with one partner privately

• provide coaching, advice, or emotional support individually

• mediate disputes outside of the session

If a partner contacts the therapist individually with emotional or relational content, the therapist will redirect the discussion to the next session.

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6. Individual (One-to-One) Sessions

Occasionally, the therapist may recommend one personal session each, for assessment or stabilisation. Any individual sessions offered as part of the couple's work are charged at the same rate as couple's sessions. This is because individual sessions are part of the relationship-focused process, not separate therapy, and require the same level of clinical responsibility and neutrality.

 

6.1 Rules for individual sessions

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• Individual sessions must be offered equally and fairly to both partners.

• If one partner has an individual session, the other must have the same opportunity.

• Individual sessions are not spaces for secret-keeping.

• Any material affecting the relationship may be brought into the couple's space.

The therapist may decline individual sessions if they risk harming neutrality.

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7. Attendance & One Partner Not Turning Up

 

7.1 If one partner attends alone

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The therapist may:

• proceed with the session

• convert it to an individual exploration about the relationship, not about the absent partner

• or cancel if the focus cannot be maintained ethically

All fees still apply as per cancellation policy.

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7.2 If one partner repeatedly misses

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A review will be held to consider:

• readiness for couples work

• motivation

• whether individual therapy is more appropriate

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8. Communication and Behaviour in Sessions

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Couples must agree to:

• avoid shouting, insults, or threatening behaviour

• allow each other time to speak

• follow therapist guidance regarding communication exercises

• use respectful language

If a session becomes unsafe or unproductive, the therapist may:

• pause the session

• reschedule

• or recommend individual support before continuing couples work

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9. Abuse, Control, and Safety

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Couples therapy cannot proceed or continue where:

• there is active domestic abuse

• one partner feels unsafe to speak

• coercion or intimidation is present

• there is an undisclosed safeguarding concern

The therapist reserves the right to:

• stop couples work

• suggest individual therapy

• signpost to specialist services

Confidentiality may be broken if there is a serious risk of harm.

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10. Technology, Recording, and Privacy

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Recording of sessions (audio or video) is not permitted without written consent.

Both partners must ensure:

• sessions are conducted in private,

• no one else is present off-camera,

• distractions (children, devices, work) are minimised

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11. Contact Between Partners During Breaks in Therapy

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If therapy is paused (e.g., holidays), couples remain responsible for:

• their interactions

• boundaries

• safety

The therapist cannot mediate or intervene during breaks.

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12. Therapist Neutrality & Limits

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The therapist:

• does not take sides

• does not act as judge or referee

• cannot determine who is “right” or “wrong”

• will focus on patterns rather than individuals

• may challenge both partners equally

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13. Goals & Direction of Therapy

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Goals will be agreed collaboratively and may include:

• improving communication

• understanding triggers

• rebuilding trust

• strengthening the relationship

• supporting separation respectfully

Goals may change during therapy.

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14. Ending the Relationship During Therapy

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If one or both partners decide to end the relationship:

• therapy can shift to support separation and co-parenting (if applicable)

• or therapy can end, with appropriate closure

Both partners must attend the ending session, where possible.

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15. Ending Therapy

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We ask for 2–4 weeks’ notice to end therapy.
Ending may also occur if:

• attendance is inconsistent

• respect and safety cannot be maintained

• therapy is no longer effective

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16. Working Across Borders

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Couples abroad, travelling, or separated geographically can attend sessions online.
All work follows UK laws and ethical standards.

17. Data, Notes, and Record-Keeping

Notes are kept confidential and are not shared with either partner unless required by law. They are factual and limited to therapeutic use.

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18. Acknowledgement

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By engaging in couples therapy with London Counsellors, both partners confirm that they:

• have read, understood, and agreed to these terms

• understand the therapist’s role and limitations

• agree to engage respectfully, safely, and collaboratively