What can I expect?
The initial assessment appointment will consist of a clinical interview and the possible use of outcome measures and observations. This will last 60–90 minutes. At the end of your first appointment, we will discuss an initial understanding of the problems and collaboratively develop a plan for therapy. It can take time to build trust and feel safe in therapy. If you are worried about sharing information at the first meeting, please let us know and we can think together about how best to approach topics that feel difficult to share.
Future therapeutic sessions will last up to 50 minutes in duration and we will decide together how many sessions we think will be necessary. This varies from person to person but is also based on clinical experience and NICE guidelines. You may agree on ‘homework’ tasks during the sessions. Progress will usually be faster if you can dedicate time between sessions to these tasks.
Prompt arrival at the start of the session is expected, and it is not possible to overrun appointments. Emails and text messages about arranging appointments are expected, but we are unable to engage in therapeutic dialogue between appointments by phone, text or email. Where further discussion is required, this should take place within a scheduled appointment.
Psychological therapy is a collaborative process that aims to support understanding, change and improved wellbeing. While many people experience positive outcomes from therapy, no specific outcome can be guaranteed. The nature, pace and extent of change will vary between individuals and may be influenced by a range of factors, including the difficulties being addressed, personal circumstances, engagement with the therapeutic process and factors outside of therapy.
The Practitioner will regularly review progress with you and discuss whether the current approach continues to meet your needs. In some situations, it may become apparent, based on clinical opinion, that the service is no longer the most appropriate intervention or that alternative support would be more beneficial. In such circumstances, the Practitioner reserves the right to conclude therapy and provide recommendations for other services, treatments or sources of support that may better meet your needs. Where possible, this will be discussed collaboratively and with appropriate signposting to alternative sources of care.
Online Appointments
Appointments may be delivered either face-to-face or remotely using Microsoft Teams or Cliniko Telehealth.
When attending online appointments, clients are responsible for:
- Ensuring they have a suitable device and reliable internet connection.
- Attending from a private and confidential location where they are unlikely to be overheard or interrupted.
- Providing an up-to-date telephone number and address at the commencement of online work.
Clients must not record sessions without the prior written consent of the Practitioner. Whilst reasonable steps are taken to use secure platforms and protect confidentiality, no electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
If technical difficulties arise during an online session, every effort will be made to reconnect and complete the appointment. Where this is not possible, alternative arrangements will be discussed.
Please be aware that this is not a crisis service. We are unable to respond to emergencies between appointments or provide urgent care. We expect to support people with safety planning as part of routine care; however, there is a limit to how much risk we can safely hold due to the absence of out-of-hours provision or multidisciplinary team support.
If you need further support between appointments, please contact your GP or the Samaritans on 116 123. In an emergency, please attend A&E or call 999. You can also contact NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.
Where therapy is delivered online and there are serious concerns regarding immediate safety, we may need to contact emergency services or other relevant agencies using the information provided by you.
Working with Children and Young People
Where services are provided to individuals under the age of 18 years, the Practitioner will work in accordance with relevant professional, legal and safeguarding obligations.
Parental responsibility holders will normally be required to provide consent to assessment and treatment, unless the young person is assessed as being competent to provide their own consent.
The Practitioner will discuss confidentiality arrangements with both the young person and their parent(s) or carer(s) at the outset of the work. Whilst every effort will be made to respect a young person’s privacy, confidentiality cannot be maintained where there are concerns regarding safeguarding, significant risk of harm, or other legal obligations requiring information to be shared.
Parents and carers may be involved in aspects of assessment, formulation and treatment where clinically indicated and in the best interests of the young person.
Confidentiality
Practitioners are bound by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and by relevant data protection legislation. It is a requirement that your therapist protects your privacy by not revealing the contents of therapy, except for professional supervision and consultation where confidentiality is similarly protected.
Client names and identifying information may be available to the practice account and administrators. This does not include access to confidential information about therapy or supervision.
Your confidentiality is protected by law.
However, there may be circumstances in which confidentiality has to be breached. These include situations where the Practitioner believes that you, or another person, may be at risk of serious harm, where there are safeguarding concerns regarding a child or vulnerable adult, or where disclosure is required by law. Wherever possible, this will be discussed with you before information is shared.
Fees
Individual Initial Assessment (duration up to 90 minutes): £220
Psychological Therapy sessions (duration up to 50 minutes): £120
Professional Supervision: £120
Payment of Fees
Payment is made by BACS or Stripe. Invoices are issued monthly and payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date.
Private Medical Insurance
If you hold Private Medical Insurance (PMI), please check the reimbursement level available through your provider. If your PMI does not fully cover the fee, you will be responsible for paying any outstanding balance.
Please provide your Practitioner with your authorisation code and details of any funding limits that apply. PMI is generally paid monthly in arrears. Please note that many insurers do not cover late cancellation fees or missed appointments. Any such fees will be charged directly to you.
Court Reports and Legal Proceedings
Parker Clinical Psychology provides therapeutic and psychological services and does not operate as a medico-legal or expert witness practice.
The Practitioner does not undertake court reports, expert witness reports, parenting assessments, capacity assessments for legal proceedings, or other reports intended for use in litigation, family court proceedings, tribunals or legal disputes.
Therapy should not be commenced with the expectation that reports, opinions or recommendations will be provided for legal purposes. Attendance at court, provision of witness statements or preparation of documentation for legal proceedings is not offered as part of this service.
Where legally required, factual information from clinical records may be disclosed in accordance with professional, ethical and legal obligations.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. Forty-eight hours’ notice is required for cancellation.
Where less than 48 hours’ notice is given, or an appointment is not attended, the following charges will apply:
- Less than 48 hours’ notice: 50% of the session fee.
- Less than 24 hours’ notice or non-attendance: 100% of the session fee.
We will provide as much notice as possible if we need to cancel an appointment.
Contact Details
Dr Pamela Parker
Telephone: 07962 905618
Email: contact@parkerclinicalpsychology.com
Bank Details
Account Name: Parker Clinical Psychology Limited
Bank: Mettle
Sort Code: 04-03-33
Account Number: 25295696
Please use your name or initials as the payment reference.
Clinic rooms are located in central Cambridge. There is free parking available, and the clinic is a short walk from Cambridge Railway Station. If you have mobility or accessibility requirements, please discuss these with us in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
These terms and conditions apply to both face-to-face and online appointments