For clients working with Sarah Hopton Psychotherapy
(Trading name of Life on Dreams Ltd)

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1. Why this agreement matters

This isn’t a tick-box formality. It’s a mutual understanding between us, about how therapy works, what I offer, and what you can expect.

• It outlines the type of therapy I provide, how I’m qualified to do it, and the practicalities of our work together.

• It offers you the space to ask questions and understand what you're stepping into—therapy should never feel like a mystery.

• It covers your rights, including confidentiality and data protection, in plain English.

• And most importantly, it’s about respect—for your time, your experience, and your decision to show up.

By agreeing to this, we both step into something intentional. You’re saying yes to therapy. I’m saying yes to walking alongside you.

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2. What I offer

I’m an integrative psychotherapist. That means I won’t box you into one way of working. I blend different therapeutic approaches—humanistic, attachment-based, schema, psychodynamic, and more—depending on what you need. We’ll talk about that as we go.

• I’m accredited with the BACP and NCPS, and I’m on the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accredited register.

• Therapy is usually face-to-face, but online options (via Telehealth or Zoom) are available too. We’ll decide together what works best.

• Already worked with me and want a one-off check-in? Drop-in sessions and top-up support are available for existing or returning clients.

• I also offer coaching—especially useful for folks navigating change or craving clarity. It’s grounded in therapy, but with a future-focused edge.

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3. My background

You’re in experienced hands. A quick overview:

• MSc in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy (Distinction, University of Derby, 2015)

• Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision (2017)

• Over a decade in private practice. Prior experience includes YMCA, Women’s Refuge, and work in addiction treatment centres like Bayberry and Delamere.

• MBA and a corporate past in leadership coaching and strategic consulting (yep, I’ve lived the burnout too).

• Ongoing professional development is non-negotiable for me—it keeps the work sharp, safe, and real.

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4. How I work (and what I won’t do)

Therapy can be short-term or long-haul—we’ll figure that out together. Either way, I believe in clean endings, not ghosting. If it’s time to wrap up, we’ll talk about it and close with care.

• If you want to end at any time, that’s your call. Just give me 48 hours’ notice to avoid being charged.

• I’ll never keep you in therapy longer than needed. No strings. No pressure.

• If I’m not the right fit, or you’d benefit from a different kind of support, I’ll tell you. And I’ll help you find someone who is.

• Sessions won’t be recorded unless we both agree (and there's a damn good reason). Phones off, please—it’s about presence, not pings.

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5. Boundaries & Expectations

• Please don’t come to sessions under the influence. You deserve to be fully present (and safe).

• Let me know if you’re seeing another therapist. It’s not always a no, but we’ll need to talk it through.

• This isn’t a crisis service. I can’t offer support between sessions. We’ll plan for that together if needed.

• I don’t connect with clients on social media—your privacy matters too much for that.

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6. Record keeping (a.k.a. how I handle your data)

• Notes are kept securely on Zanda with two-step verification.

• Anything I write is purely to support your therapy and never shared with third parties (unless legally required).

• You can request to see your notes at any time. No weird hoops to jump through.

• I’m registered with the ICO, and everything I do complies with GDPR.

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7. Confidentiality (and the limits of it)

Everything you share stays between us—except in a few very specific situations:

• If I believe you or someone else is at serious risk, I may need to break confidentiality. I’ll always try to talk to you first.

• I attend clinical supervision (as required by BACP and NCPS). Your identity is protected, and your safety is the priority.

• Some things—like disclosures of child abuse, terrorism, or court orders—require me by law to share information.

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8. Booking, cancelling, and being on time

• You can book regular sessions, usually in blocks. Weekly or fortnightly, we’ll decide together.

• Missed or late-cancelled sessions (less than 48 hours’ notice) will be charged in full. This keeps things fair and sustainable.

• I’ll give you 48 hours’ notice if I ever need to cancel—unless something urgent happens on my end.

• Running late? If it’s under 15 minutes, we’ll still meet (just shorter). More than 15 minutes and you’ll need to rebook and pay the full fee.

Current fees:
(Full pricing is on my website/client portal. If we agree something different, we’ll put it in writing.)

• Initial consultation: 90 minutes, in-person only

• Standard sessions: 60 or 90 minutes

• Drop-ins (for existing clients): charged pro-rata (min. 30 minutes)

• Top-Up Therapy (for former clients): 60 or 90 mins

Payment: cash, card, or BACS. Card payments show as Life on Dreams.

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9. Feedback & evaluation

I’ll ask for your feedback when we finish. You’re not obliged, but it helps me grow—and helps others find therapy that fits.
If you’ve found the work useful and want to offer a testimonial, great. We’ll anonymise it if you prefer.

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10. If things go wrong

If you ever feel something’s not okay in our work together—please tell me. I mean that. Most things can be worked through.
If you’d rather speak to someone else, you can contact BACP or NCPS directly through their complaints processes.

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11. Agreement

By starting therapy with me, you’re confirming that you’ve read and agree to the terms above.

Credentials

• BACP Accredited Member – No. 99262

• NCPS Accredited Professional – No. NCS21-02709

• DBS Enhanced Certificate – No. 001603863455

• ICO Registered Data Controller

• Insurer: Balens – Public Liability & Professional Indemnity

 

Final note:
This agreement is here to protect you, not trap you. Therapy with me isn’t about perfection—it’s about truth, courage, and showing up anyway. If you’re ready, so am I.

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Take a breath. You’ve got this. And I’ve got you.