Session Format
Sessions are available via video call, telephone, or in-person. You may select the format that best suits your needs, and I will support transitions between formats where appropriate. I reserve the right to recommend or require remote sessions if circumstances change, including but not limited to public health concerns, safety risks, or logistical constraints.
In-person Sessions
In-person sessions are conducted in accordance with current public health guidance regarding hygiene, ventilation, and distancing. You agree to attend only if you are symptom-free and have not knowingly been exposed to COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses. I reserve the right to reschedule or shift to remote sessions if safety protocols cannot be met or if public health guidance changes. By attending in person, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with face-to-face contact during periods of public health concern. While reasonable precautions are taken to ensure a safe environment, no setting can be guaranteed to be entirely risk-free. You agree to take personal responsibility for your health and wellbeing in choosing this format. Sessions may take place either at my private premises or at rented therapy rooms provided by third parties. These locations are selected for their professional standards and accessibility.
Contingency for Therapist Availability
While every effort will be made to maintain in-person sessions as agreed, you acknowledge that unforeseen personal circumstances may arise which prevent me from being physically present for the full duration of your therapeutic process. In such cases, I reserve the right to convert in-person sessions to remote format (video or phone) for a temporary or extended period. You agree to this contingency as part of the therapeutic agreement, and I will provide reasonable notice and continuity of care wherever possible.
Duration & Frequency
Sessions are by appointment and typically last 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed. Weekly continuity is recommended to support therapeutic effectiveness. If you feel ready to reduce frequency, we can discuss this together. Should financial constraints arise, you are encouraged to request a fee adjustment rather than interrupting the process.
Fees & Payment
Fees cover the session itself, preparation time, and record keeping. Appointments are confirmed only once payment has been received at least 24 hours in advance and no outstanding balances remain. Reduced rates may be available depending on session frequency or upfront payment arrangements. Please feel free to enquire about concessions if applicable. Unless otherwise agreed, current rates are published at luisapassalacqua.com.
What You Can Expect
- The first session is an opportunity to get to know each other; the second is used to gather further information and assess therapeutic suitability.
- If your presenting issues relate to functional health (e.g. sleep, substance use, nutrition, exercise), I may ask you to commit to restorative measures as a prerequisite for continuing therapy. This enhances therapeutic outcomes and may reduce overall duration and cost.
- Either party may decide to discontinue therapy at any time. This is a normal part of the process and reflects professional integrity.
- My qualifications do not guarantee specific outcomes or timelines. My practice adheres to the BACP Ethical Framework, which outlines the standards by which my work is professionally assessed.
- You are responsible for the direction and content of your sessions. If you are unsure what to discuss, I will offer open-ended questions upon request. Silence is also welcome and respected.
- Therapy may involve examining deeply held beliefs or loyalties. If you are not ready to question these, therapy may not be appropriate at this time.
- While many clients experience benefits early on, some issues require sustained work over months or even years. Commitment and consistency are essential.
- Feedback is invited throughout the process, including during initial, review, and final sessions. You are free to decline, but feedback helps tailor the service to your needs and support your growing independence.
- The therapeutic relationship is professional, though it may involve genuine personal engagement. Communication may include email, SMS, or WhatsApp where appropriate. However, the relationship remains a time-bound professional service, and we will not remain in contact after therapy concludes.
Cancellations & Rescheduling
Counselling is a professional service and my primary livelihood. Reserved appointment slots represent a commitment of time and resources. You are responsible for ensuring that external obligations (e.g. family, work) do not interfere with attendance. A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are chargeable and cannot be rescheduled. After two late cancellations or missed sessions, I reserve the right to discontinue services. If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has, please notify me promptly so we can arrange a remote session.
Endings & Pauses.
You may choose to end therapy when sessions feel complete or when there is little left to explore. Planned endings are strongly encouraged to allow for closure and integration. If financial circumstances change, please consider requesting a fee adjustment rather than discontinuing therapy abruptly. In rare cases, extended remote sessions may be necessary due to public health issues, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen events. Should this occur, I will notify you in a timely manner. By agreeing to these terms, you consent to remote therapy if required.
ADDITIONAL TERMS FOR COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY
Where therapy involves more than one participant—such as couples, families, or co-parents—the following additional terms apply:
Shared Confidentiality
Confidentiality applies to the therapeutic process as a whole, not to individual disclosures within the group. This means that information shared by one participant may be discussed in the presence of others if it is relevant to the therapeutic work. All participants must consent to this shared confidentiality arrangement before therapy begins.
Individual Sessions Within Couple/Family Therapy
Occasionally, individual sessions may be offered within the context of couple or family therapy. Information shared in these sessions will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to other participants without your explicit consent. However, if I observe that relevant information is consistently withheld in joint sessions, I may raise this concern therapeutically, as it may affect the integrity and progress of the work. All participants are encouraged to engage with openness and mutual respect, recognising that transparency supports relational healing.
Individual Responsibility
Each participant is expected to focus on their own contributions to relational dynamics, rather than assigning blame or seeking validation. Therapy is not a forum for adjudicating right or wrong, but a space for reflection, insight, and change.
Unpredictability of Process
Couple and family therapy can surface unexpected emotions, histories, and relational patterns. While the process is designed to foster understanding and repair, it may also lead to outcomes that were not initially anticipated—including separation, restructuring of roles, or shifts in family dynamics. No specific outcome is guaranteed, and you agree to approach the process with openness to whatever emerges.
Consent and Participation
Therapy requires the voluntary and informed consent of all participants. If one member chooses to withdraw or disengage, this may affect the viability of continuing joint sessions. In such cases, I will offer guidance on next steps, which may include individual sessions, referral, or closure.
Respect and Safety
All participants are expected to maintain respectful communication and emotional safety within sessions. I reserve the right to pause or terminate joint sessions if interactions become harmful, coercive, or emotionally unsafe for any party.