Meeting You Where You Are
My therapeutic approach is intentionally simple, responsive, and deeply person-centred. It’s about meeting you
where you are on the day, not fitting you into a pre-prepared plan. I keep my session notes minimal — often no
more than “held space” — unless there’s something important to record, such as a disclosure or a sudden
change. This means my full attention stays with you, not on paperwork. Minimal notes are not “no notes” — they
are focused, purposeful, and meet professional and safeguarding standards. I also choose not to read referral
notes before we meet. This isn’t because I don’t value other professionals’ insights, but because I want to hear
your story in your words, without the influence of someone else’s opinions or labels. If I need background
information later for your safety or for treatment planning, I will request it then.

Why I Work This Way
I believe therapy is most effective when it is tailored to the individual in the moment. I rarely plan sessions in
advance, though I have a wide range of resources I can draw on. Many of these are created together in the
session — asking you to write down your thoughts, goals, or feelings — so they are truly yours. When you are
actively engaged in the process, change can be powerful. If it becomes clear that a different approach might be
more helpful, I will suggest a referral to another therapist or service, either internally or externally. My priority is
always that you get the kind of support that best meets your needs.

The Ethics Behind My Approach
My way of working is not only intentional, it’s grounded in professional ethical codes and trauma-informed
principles — safety, choice, collaboration, trust, and empowerment. I start with your voice, not someone else’s
notes. By meeting you without reading referral notes first, I reduce the risk of unconscious bias and ensure you
shape the narrative from the start. Minimal notes, maximum presence. I keep records only as needed for safety,
safeguarding, or important changes. This respects your privacy and keeps me present with you. No
one-size-fits-all plans. I respond to what you bring on the day, rather than imposing a predetermined structure.
Your autonomy matters. You are the expert in your own life. I am here to walk alongside you, not lead you down a
path that isn’t yours.

A trauma-informed foundation:

• Safety – You are met without judgement or assumptions.

•Trust – I am transparent about how I work.

• Choice – You decide what to share and how we work.

• Collaboration– We create tools and strategies together.

• Empowerment – Our work builds on your strengths.

For Professionals
If you are a professional or referrer who wishes to understand the ethical reasoning behind my approach, you can
read my full Ethical Position Statement here:

■ Ethical Position Statement (PDF available on request)

This document outlines how my approach aligns with the BACP Ethical Framework, ACCPH Standards, and SAMHSA
Trauma-Informed Care Principles, and why it is both safe and effective.

Full Ethical Position Statement

Purpose
To outline the ethical reasoning behind my therapeutic approach, including minimal note-taking, not requesting
referral notes upfront, and allowing sessions to develop responsively rather than from a fixed plan.

1. Client Autonomy & Self-Determination
BACP Ethical Framework (2018): Counsellors must “respect the right of clients to be self-governing” (Principle:
Autonomy).

My approach ensures the client’s voice is the starting point. I do not seek pre-existing referral notes
before meeting a client, as this protects against unconscious bias and allows their own lived experience to take
priority. This honours the client’s right to shape the narrative about themselves without external interpretation
influencing the therapeutic relationship from the outset.

2. Non-Maleficence & Avoiding Diagnostic Overshadowing
BACP Ethical Framework (2018): Counsellors should “avoid harming clients” (Principle: Non-maleficence).

By avoiding upfront third-party reports, I reduce the risk of prejudgement, misinterpretation, or limiting the client to the language of pathology. This protects the integrity of the therapeutic alliance and prevents harm caused by
imposed labels or deficit-based thinking.

3. Informed Consent & Transparency
BACP Ethical Framework (2018): “Communicate clearly what clients can expect” (Good Practice). My contracting
process explicitly explains that I will start with the client’s own account, keep minimal notes, and co-create
resources as needed. This transparency allows the client to make an informed decision about working with me.

4. Record-Keeping & Safeguarding Compliance
ACCPH Standards & BACP Guidance: Record-keeping must be “appropriate, accurate and timely” and
“necessary for the purpose.” I maintain minimal, focused notes (e.g., “held space”) unless safeguarding,
disclosures, or significant changes require more detail. This ensures confidentiality, reduces unnecessary data
storage, and still meets safeguarding, legal, and professional obligations.

5. Individualised, Needs-Led Practice
BACP Ethical Framework (2018): Counsellors should “be attentive to the needs and best interests of clients.”

I rarely pre-plan sessions and instead meet clients where they are, drawing on resources only when relevant. Many resources are co-created with the client to ensure they are meaningful and empowering. This ensures flexibility, responsiveness, and genuine person-centred practice, rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

6. Trauma-Informed Principles
SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care Principles: Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment.

•Safety:

Clients are met without judgement or preloaded assumptions. • Trustworthiness: My approach is
transparent from the start.

• Choice:

Clients decide how to share their story and what resources we use.

•Collaboration:

 

We co-create tools and strategies.

• Empowerment:

The client is the expert in their own life; my role is to walk alongside them.

Summary
This approach is consistent with professional ethical codes, trauma-informed care principles, and the commitment
to do no harm, protect client autonomy, and provide responsive, needs-led support. It is not a refusal to use
existing information or structure, but a conscious sequencing of when and how those elements are introduced to
best serve the client’s interests