This document contains important information about the practice, service and the business terms of Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips.

Please take time to read this document and do not hesitate to contact Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips if you have any questions.

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips is a Clinical Psychologist, which is a protected title and means she is regulated by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). She is also a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is legally recognised and reflects only the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise. As such, Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips abides by these organisation’s ethical frameworks and standards of conduct (please see below for more information).

What Is Therapy?

Therapy is a confidential space for you to talk about whatever is important to you. This may include thoughts, feelings, relationships, past experiences, or current difficulties.

There are a variety of approaches to the way psychologists work with their clients. Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips has been trained in several therapeutic approaches. The approach is tailored to each individual client. Please see Therapies page for more information.

Therapy works best when we work together. While many people find therapy helpful, there are no guaranteed results and change can take time.

How Sessions Work

• Sessions usually last 50 minutes

• Sessions take place either in person, online or by telephone as agreed with you in advanced. Online sessions take place via the video platform provided by WriteUpp which is end-to-end encrypted.

• The style and focus of therapy may change as your needs change

You are always free to ask questions about the process.

Your Part in Therapy

As a client you agree to:

• Attend sessions on time

• Not to record sessions in any format such as video or audio

• Be as open and honest as you feel able

• Let Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips know if something does not feel helpful or comfortable

• Tell Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips about important changes in your life or wellbeing

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips as your Psychologist agrees to:

• Work ethically and professionally under her accrediting body’s guidelines

• Offer a respectful, non-judgemental space

• Work within her skills and experience

• Attend regular professional supervision

Confidentiality 

What you share in therapy is confidential. This means that information will not be shared about you without your permission, except in specific situations required by law or for safety reasons, such as:

• If there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else

• If a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk

• If required by a court of law

• For professional supervision (your identity is protected as much as possible)

If there is ever need to break confidentiality, Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips will aim to discuss this with you first where possible.

Your Information & Data Protection (GDPR)

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips follows UK data protection laws (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).

Your personal details and therapy notes are kept securely. You have the right to:

• See the personal data held about you

• Ask for corrections

• Ask for your data to be deleted where legally allowed

More details are available in my Privacy Policy. By completing the Initial Contact Form , signing the Therapy Contract or attending sessions you are agreeing that you have read and understood the Privacy Policy.

Appointments, client information and notes are managed using the WriteUpp online platform from Pathway Software (UK) Limited. WriteUpp is a cloud-based practice management software which uses a secure server that is GDPR compliant.

Code of Ethics and Guidelines

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips adheres to the code of ethics and guidelines set up by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC; Registered Practitioner Psychologist number PYL36176), and the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is additionally registered and adheres to Data Protection guidelines.

Fees & Payments

Fee per session: £120

Prepayment of your session fee is due at the time of booking your session and within 48 hours of when you have been issued your invoice. Payment must be made on time, in full, and without any deduction, set off or counterclaim.

Payments can be made by bank transfer or card by visiting the payment link contained in the invoice sent to you.

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips reserves the right to charge interest and additional fees on late payments. Please note that future sessions may be suspended if there is a delay or failure to make payment.

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips reserves the right to change these fees. Fees are usually reviewed every few years due to inflation and cost of living increases. You will be notified well in advance where this does happen.

If the sessions are being funded by an insurer you are advised to check with them that you have adequate cover in place.

Letters and Reports

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips can write any relevant letters and reports but will require your written permission to do this.

There is a fee for writing letters or reports, and this is based on the time taken to write the document. The fee currently stands at £120 per hour. Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips reserves the right to change these fees. Fees are usually reviewed every few years due to inflation and cost of living increases. You will be notified well in advance where this does happen.

Cancellations and Lateness

If you need to cancel or change an appointment, please contact Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips as soon as possible by email at drsarahwarrellphillips@protonmail.com 

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips requires at least 48 hours’ notice by email.

Late cancellations, rescheduling’s or missed appointments will be charged the full session fee. This will still apply if the appointment is rescheduled, cancelled or missed due to unforeseen circumstances, circumstances out of your immediate control or an emergency.

Extension cannot be added to the end of the session due to other appointments. If you are late for the session no full or partial refund will be provided.

If the sessions are being funded by an insurer you are advised to check with them that you have adequate cover in place.

Contact Between Sessions

Between sessions, contact is for practical matters (such as scheduling appointments) only. Therapy support is not provided by email, text, or phone outside sessions.

Please note that Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips may use a withheld/private number when calling you.

By completing the Initial Contact Form , signing the Therapy Contract or attending sessions, you are agreeing to be contacted by telephone or email along with text contact (for example for booking confirmation) and for brief answerphone messages to be left as required.

Please note that whilst all necessary actions are taken to ensure security, electronic communication may not be completely secure.

Online or Telephone Sessions

For online or phone sessions, please make sure you are in a private, confidential and safe space. While care is taken to protect confidentiality, technology can sometimes have limits.

If You Are in Crisis

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips is not able to provide support during a crisis period. If you are in a crisis situation or are in any kind of danger of harming yourself or others and are in need of immediate help, please contact as appropriate:

• Your GP or NHS 111

• A&E or emergency services (999)

• Samaritans: 116 123

Ending Therapy

You can end therapy at any time. It is encouraged to talk about endings where possible, so the work can be brought to a thoughtful close.

Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips may also suggest ending therapy if it is no longer helpful or appropriate and can support you with referrals if needed.

Concerns or Complaints

If something about therapy is not sitting well with you, we encourage you to raise it with Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips. If concerns cannot be resolved, you may contact Dr Sarah Warrell-Phillips’ professional body (HCPC).