What is therapy?

Therapy is about you slowly gaining an understanding of why you feel, think and behave as you do. This awareness will enable you to have more choice as to how you might respond in situations, which you will then be able to apply in daily life.

My role is not to provide answers, but to facilitate this process of change, and encourage and support you during this time of exploration.

Are you a registered therapist?

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I adhere to their ethical framework, which can be viewed online.

What are your qualifications?

• Complex Trauma Certification Training Level 1 & 2 (CCTP/CCTP-II), Janina Fisher

• Certificate in Working with Couples, Annette Jones/Connexus Institute

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy, University of East London

• Professional Certificate in Counselling Using the Arts, Institute for Arts in Therapy & Education

• Advanced Diploma in the Therapeutic & Educational Application of the Arts, Institute for Arts in Therapy & Education

• Diploma in Education, La Trobe University

• BA (Asian Studies), Australian National University

Are you insured?

I am fully insured.

Do you have a privacy policy?

Yes. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and abide by their guidelines on privacy and data protection.

You can read my therapy privacy policy, and my website privacy policy.

Have you had a DBS check?

I have an enhanced DBS certificate.

Who do you work with?

I work with adults.

What are your fees?

I currently charge £75 per session for individuals, and £90 per session for couples.

I also have some concessionary sessions available - please contact me for further details.

 How long does each session last?

Each session lasts 50 minutes.

Do you offer fortnightly sessions?

I only offer weekly sessions.

Do you protect confidentiality?

My priority is to preserve confidentiality. However, if I have reason to believe that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm I may need to inform others. I will endeavour to discuss this with you first so that we can come to an agreement about who needs to be informed, and I will ask for your permission in writing. However, if an agreement is not reached I will either discuss the situation with my supervisor (see below) and decide how to proceed, or contact the relevant assistance. 

I have a legal obligation to break confidentiality in compliance with a court order, or if information about drug trafficking, money laundering or acts of terrorism is revealed.

Are you supervised?

In line with the requirements of the BACP, my work is regularly supervised by a qualified supervisor. Their role is to ensure I work effectively, ethically and professionally. Your information is anonymised, and conversations between myself and my supervisor are confidential. My supervisor is also bound by the same ethical guidelines.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

I will reserve your appointment time and room at the agreed day and time each week until your therapy ends. To make this possible, and to maintain the consistency of your appointments, payment is due in advance for all sessions.

As our time off may not coincide, I offer you 2 sessions every 6 calendar months where no fee is due if you are unable to attend. Outside of these, I will endeavour to reschedule any appointments you are unable to attend, for example due to illness or holidays, the same working week, and these may be in person, online, or by phone. If it is not possible to reschedule, 50% of the usual fee is due.

There is no expectation that you pay any fees when I am away. I will give you notice of my holidays well in advance, and I do not work bank holidays. In the rare event of an unforeseen circumstance and I am not able to be at our session I will let you know as far in advance as possible. There is no expectation that you pay for any sessions which I have cancelled.

I would appreciate notice if you are unable to attend a session. Please email me at: natbolonkin@protonmail.com

If you miss an appointment without notice, the full fee is due for that session. I will also email you and ask you to confirm if you will be attending your next appointment and request advance payment. If you do not respond I will assume you no longer require the appointment, your appointment time will be released, and future appointments on that day at that time will be cancelled. However, you are welcome to get in touch should you wish to resume our meetings. I will always be happy to hear from you again.

Where do you work?

I work at a practice on the corner of Wilbury Road and Eaton Road in Hove.

What happens if we accidently meet socially?

To protect your confidentiality I will only acknowledge you in a social setting if you make initial contact.

I do not have contact with clients on social media.

Do I get to keep my creative work?

If you choose to do some creative work in the sessions, anything you create is yours. I am happy to keep it for a week and you can let me know if you wish to keep it or not. If you do not wish to keep it I will not continue to store it.

I will take photos of any creative work you produce so we can revisit it if we want to over the course of our work together. If you do not wish me to take photos I will not do so, and if you change your mind and want me to delete any or all of the photos I will do so.

What if I want to stop counselling?

You are free to end therapy at any time. However, therapeutic endings are very important; I recommend we agree a leaving date well in advance so we have the opportunity to review previous sessions together, and discuss the ending specifically. I recommend one session for every three months we have worked together.