NCS | It's a Snow Day - Who Bears the Costs?

We have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society!

Information for members

As of the 15th of May 2023, we have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Our new and improved website is coming soon!

When it comes to finances, how do we balance our Business Need with Compassion?

Whether it is a sudden snow day travel issue, a client who is left upset or disappointed following their therapy experience or a student who has gone into training to see high hopes and future expectations dashed, a common cry we hear at the society is…

'but it's not my fault'

'it's not what I expected'

'I deserve my money back!'

Payment is undoubtedly a sensitive subject, one that can also feel judgement loaded.

At its basic level payment underpins value, so should we be surprised that refund is the instinctive recourse for many, to help ease their disappointment?

It is clearly defined in our complaints procedure that the society cannot act as 'dept collectors' in financial disputes, there are defined legal remedies. But perhaps we can as practitioners can use these 'snow day' moments to think about if we are doing all we can to protect both our business and our clients experience of our profession?

Our code of ethics does underpin the importance of contracting. To agree clear and transparent contracts (in writing where appropriate). Ensuring client understanding of the business and holding awareness of their expectation of therapy is our responsibility, as the professional in the relationship.

After all, at the end of the day our business is compassion.

Please follow the link to our code of ethics for further information about contracts.

https://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/about-us/code-of-ethics/.

  • Find a Counsellor

    Find the help you need...If you are a potential client looking for a counsellor, you may search our registrants by location or name and you can also check whether someone is on the NCPS accredited register. A member of the Society may be a Registrant or a non-registrant member.

    Find Out More
  • Train as a Counsellor

    Use our Find a Course tool to find the nearest training providers who offer National Counselling Society Accredited, Advanced Specialist, Quality Checked or CPD courses. These courses are currently run across the the UK.

    Find Out More