Terms and Conditions

Last updated: 01/08/2026

Please read these terms carefully before booking a session. By booking a session with Real Minds Therapy, you agree to the terms set out below.

1. About Me and My Practice

I am Blanka Siejek, an integrative counsellor working from a relational framework based predominantly on person-centred and psychodynamic approaches. I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), membership number 421118.

I work under regular clinical supervision and adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I offer sessions in person in Brighton and Hove, and online (via Zoom or Google Meet) to clients across the UK and beyond.

2. The Nature of Counselling

Counselling is a collaborative process and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. It is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment, and I am not able to prescribe medication or provide a clinical diagnosis. If I believe your needs would be better met by another professional or service (for example, your GP, a psychiatrist, or a specialist service), I will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, support you in finding alternative help.

Counselling with me is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in crisis or at immediate risk, please contact 999, NHS 111, or go to your nearest A&E. The Samaritans can also be reached free, any time, on 116 123.

3. Initial Consultation

I offer a free 20 minute initial consultation, either by phone or video call, so we can discuss what's brought you to counselling and check that we feel like a good fit to work together. There is no obligation to continue after this call.

4. Sessions

  • Sessions last 50 minutes and typically take place weekly, at a regular day and time where possible.

  • In-person sessions take place at New Road Psychotherapy Centre in Brighton (27 New Road, BN1 1UG), or in Hove (73 Church Rd, BN3 2BB). Online sessions take place via Zoom or Google Meet.

  • I ask that you find a private, confidential space for online sessions, free from interruption.

5. Fees and Payment

  • Individual session fee: £55.

  • Payment is due within 24 hours of the session via bank transfer.

  • Fees are reviewed periodically and I will give you at least 4 weeks' notice of any change.

6. Cancellations and Rescheduling

  • I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or rearrange a session.

  • Sessions cancelled with less notice than this, or missed without notice, will be charged at the full session fee, except in exceptional circumstances.

  • If I need to cancel a session (for example due to illness), I will give you as much notice as possible and will not charge for that session; we will arrange an alternative time where possible.

7. Confidentiality

Confidentiality is central to counselling and I take it seriously. Full details of how I collect, use, store, and protect your information are set out in my Privacy Policy, which forms part of these terms.

In brief, what you share with me is confidential, with the following exceptions:

  • I discuss my client work, in anonymised form, with my clinical supervisor, as required for safe and ethical practice.

  • I may need to break confidentiality if I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, if I am required to by law (for example, under safeguarding legislation or a court order), or in other circumstances set out in the BACP Ethical Framework.

  • Where possible, I will discuss this with you first, unless doing so would increase risk.

8. Clinical Supervision and Professional Insurance

I receive regular clinical supervision from a BACP-accredited supervisor, in line with BACP requirements. I hold professional indemnity insurance with Balens, policy number xxxx.

9. Complaints

If you have any concerns about our work together, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you directly in the first instance. If you feel this isn't possible, or you remain unhappy, you can contact:

10. Between Sessions

I am not able to offer support between sessions by phone, text, or email, other than for practical matters such as scheduling. If you are struggling between sessions, please see the crisis contacts in Section 2.

11. Ending Therapy

You are free to end therapy at any time. Where possible, I would encourage us to use a final session (or a few sessions) to bring the work to a close together, as this is often part of a helpful and healthy ending. I also reserve the right to end our work together if I believe I am not the right person to meet your needs, in which case I will support you in finding appropriate alternative help.

12. Data Protection

Please see my Privacy Policy for full details of how your personal data is collected, used, and protected, in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

13. International and Online Clients

I am based in the UK and registered with the BACP, a UK professional body. My training, qualifications, insurance, and regulatory obligations relate to UK practice only. I am not licensed, registered, or regulated as a counsellor or psychotherapist in any country other than the UK.

If you are accessing my services from outside the UK, please note:

  • My service is provided as a UK-based service, under UK law and UK professional standards (including the BACP Ethical Framework), regardless of where you are physically located when we have sessions.

  • I am not qualified to advise on, and make no representation about, whether online counselling from a UK-based practitioner is permitted, recognised, or appropriate under the laws or regulations of your own country. It is your responsibility to check this before booking.

  • Confidentiality, safeguarding, and duty-of-care obligations described in this policy and my Privacy Policy are based on UK legal and professional requirements. In an emergency, I may not be able to contact local emergency services on your behalf, and I would encourage you to identify your own local emergency and crisis contacts before we begin working together, in case they're needed.

  • By booking a session with me, you confirm that you understand and accept that the service is provided on this basis, and you agree that these terms are governed by the law of England and Wales (see Section 15), irrespective of your own location.

If you're unsure whether working with a UK-based, BACP-registered counsellor is suitable for you, I'm happy to discuss this in our initial consultation, though I can't offer a legal opinion on your local regulations.

14. Use of This Website

  • All content on this website (text, branding, and design) is my own or used with permission, and may not be copied or reproduced without consent.

  • Content on this website (including blog posts and general information) is provided for general information only and does not constitute therapeutic advice, a client relationship, or a substitute for individualised counselling.

  • I've made reasonable efforts to keep this website accurate and up to date, but I don't guarantee it is free of errors or that it will be available at all times.

  • Where this website links to third-party sites (for example, professional bodies or booking platforms), I'm not responsible for their content or practices.

15. Governing Law

These terms, and any use of this website or my services (including by clients located outside the UK), are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Contact

Blanka Siejek, Real Minds Therapy blanka@realmindstherapy.co.uk, +44 (0) 78808 25550, www.realmindstherapy.co.uk

These terms may be updated from time to time; the current version will always be available on this website.