Ethical
Ethical framework
Last updated: April 2026
As a BACP-registered counsellor I work to a clear, professional ethical framework. This page is a plain-English version of what that means in practice for you.
The framework I work to
Hampshire HeadSpace operates in line with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. That's the document UK counsellors commit to as a condition of registration, and you can read the full version at bacp.co.uk. The summary below is the practical day-to-day version.
Putting your wellbeing first
The reason we're in the room together is your wellbeing, not mine and not the practice's. That means I won't push you into longer or more expensive work than you actually need. If a few sessions are enough, a few sessions are enough.
Working within my competence
I work with the things I'm trained and experienced to work with. If something you bring would be better helped by a different kind of practitioner (for example a psychiatrist, a CBT specialist, or a couples counsellor), I'll tell you that openly and help you find the right person.
Respecting your autonomy
You make the decisions about your own life and your own counselling. I won't tell you what to do. I won't pressure you to talk about anything you don't want to. And I'll always be open with you about what I'm thinking and why.
Confidentiality, with three exceptions
What you say in the room stays in the room. The exceptions are if I had genuine reason to believe you or someone else was at serious risk of harm, if I were required to disclose by a court of law, or if I were made aware of a serious crime. In all of those cases, I'd talk to you first wherever possible.
Supervision
All BACP-registered counsellors take regular clinical supervision, where we sometimes discuss the work with another senior practitioner. This is for the quality of your care, and you are never named or identifiable in those conversations.
Boundaries
Our relationship is professional, in the room. I won't add you on social media, I won't enter into any other kind of relationship with you (business, personal, romantic) while we're working together, and I'll keep our work, our notes, and our conversations carefully separate from the rest of my life.
If something feels wrong
You can raise anything with me, and I'd much rather you did. If, after that, you weren't satisfied, the BACP has a formal professional conduct procedure you can use to make a complaint, with details at www.bacp.co.uk.