Principles and information for clients

Principles and information

for Clients

Dear Client, in order to ensure the highest quality of services we provide, we have created terms and conditions that define the rules of cooperation between you and our specialists.

  1. Polish Psychologists’ Association Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as PPA) is a charitable organisation operating in the United Kingdom, providing psychological, therapeutic and family support, as well as development sessions for Polish-speaking individuals.
  2. The aim of PPA is to improve the psychological, emotional and social wellbeing of people using the organisation’s services.
  3. PPA provides services in Polish, either online or in person (London).
  4. PPA operates in accordance with the applicable laws of the United Kingdom, in particular:
    • Charity Commission Guidance,
    • Data Protection Act 2018 / UK-GDPR,
    • Children Act 1989 i 2004,
    • Working Together to Safeguard Children,
    • BPS and BACP professional standards.
  5. PPA does not present consultations or therapy as medical services, clinical diagnosis, legal opinions, or psychiatric treatment of mental illness.
  6. Support provided by PPA includes:
    • improvement of emotional wellbeing,
    • development of coping skills,
    • relationship support (couples and family therapy),
    • psychoeducation,
    • psychological opinions relating to clinical diagnosis.
  7. If, during the consultation process, it is determined that the client requires:
    • a clinical diagnosis,
    • a psychiatric assessment,
    • pharmacological treatment, or
    • crisis intervention,

PPA undertakes to refer the client to appropriate NHS services or to specialists registered with HCPC or GMC.

PPA offers:

a) Psychological consultations for adults and families

  • 1–3 diagnostic and supportive sessions aimed at identifying difficulties and recommending further support.

b) Individual, couples and family therapy

  • A short-term therapeutic process (usually up to 12 sessions) delivered by a Therapist (psychological support)..
  • Forms of therapy include work with adults, couples and family consultations, up to a maximum of 12 sessions.

c) Family and children’s counselling service

  • Consultations for parents and carers, family therapy, as well as sessions for children and young people.
  • Services may also include consultations with specialists supporting child development.

d) Development sessions

  • 1–8 development or advisory sessions focused on personal or professional development.

Development sessions are not therapy and are not intended for the analysis of psychological problems.

  1. Services provided by PPA are delivered by specialists holding qualifications in psychology, psychotherapy or related fields obtained in Poland or other countries, as well as professional experience appropriate to the form of support offered by PPA.
  2. Some PPA specialists may be members of, or applicants to, professional organisations such as the British Psychological Society (BPS), BACP, UKCP or HCPC. However, PPA does not require every specialist to hold UK legally protected titles.
  3. PPA specialists operate under the following professional titles:
    • Psychologist–Consultant (qualifications obtained outside the UK),
    • Therapist (psychological support),
    • Psychological Support Specialist,
    • Coach / Career Adviser.

PPA does not use UK legally protected titles such as Clinical Psychologist or Counselling Psychologist unless the individual holds HCPC registration – in such cases, this information is clearly communicated.

  1. Referrals are made via the contact form or by email to PPA:
  • for Psychological consultations and therapy: consultations@polishpsychologists.org
  • for Family counselling services: rodzina@polishpsychologists.org
  • for Development sessions: rozwoj@polishpsychologists.org
  1. PPA aims to respond within 7 days of receiving an enquiry. After this, the client is placed on a waiting list and informed about the assigned specialist.
  2. The first consultation is of an initial / introductory nature.
  3. PPA services are not intended for individuals who are:
  • experiencing an acute mental health crisis,
  • having suicidal thoughts or plans,
  • experiencing active addiction,
  • living in situations of ongoing domestic abuse.

In such cases, the client will be referred to the appropriate statutory or emergency services.

Type of serviceDurationNumber of sessionsContribution
Psychological consultation50 min1–3£15
Family support50 minup to 12£20/session
Individual therapy50 minup to 12£20/session
Couples therapy50–60 minup to 12£30/session
Development sessions50 minup to 8£20/session
  1. The client is required to ensure appropriate conditions of privacy and a distraction-free environment during the session.
  2. Sessions must not be recorded or distributed in any form.
  3. The participation of third parties requires the prior consent of the specialist.
  1. All information obtained during sessions is confidential.
  2. Confidentiality may be breached only when:
    • there is a risk to the life or health of the client or others,
    • disclosure is required by law (e.g. safeguarding of children).
  3. Personal data is stored in accordance with UK GDPR, encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorised persons.
  4. The client has the right to access their personal data, but not session notes, and may request deletion of their data after the end of the cooperation.
  5. The Consultant/Therapist has the right to suspend psychological consultations or therapeutic sessions and is obliged to notify the appropriate services if the client’s actions or behaviour are harmful and/or pose a risk to their life or health.
  1. Participation of individuals under the age of 18 requires the written consent of both parents or legal guardians.
  2. A parent or guardian is required to participate in the initial consultation or remain in contact with the specialist.
  3. PPA applies safeguarding procedures in accordance with UK law and has the right to notify the appropriate authorities if:
    • the child’s health, safety or wellbeing is at risk,
    • information is disclosed regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, or serious self-harm plans.
  1. PPA services are funded through donations and grants.
  2. Donation contributions per session are as follows:
    • consultation – £15
    • family consultation – £20
    • individual therapy – £20
    • couples therapy – £30
    • development session –  £20
  3. The donation must be made no later than 24 hours before the session via bank transfer.
  4. Bank details:
    Account Name: Polish Psychologists’ Association
    Sort Code: 20-90-74
    Account Number: 93051439

Failure to make the donation will result in the session not taking place.

  1. The client is entitled to cancel up to two sessions no later than 48 hours before the appointment (or 7 days in advance for development sessions). These sessions are not deducted from the client’s contracted session allowance and are not subject to a donation.
  2. Any changes must be made by email.
  3. If the client cancels an appointment outside the specified notice period, the client is required to cover 100% of the cost of the cancelled session.
  4. If the client cancels appointments twice in breach of the terms specified in the contract, all existing bookings will be suspended.

    Failure to attend two consecutive sessions without attempting to contact PPA will be interpreted as a lack of readiness to continue therapy/consultations and will result in termination of the contract.

  1. If, for any reason, the client anticipates that they will not arrive on time for a session with our specialist, they must inform the specialist by email.
    If no notification is received, the specialist is required to wait up to 15 minutes.
  2. A client’s late arrival does not extend the session duration.
    For example, if the client is 10 minutes late, the remaining session time will be 40 minutes.
  1. A specialist may refuse to conduct a session if there is a suspicion that the client is under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances.
  2. PPA does not guarantee specific outcomes of the support provided.
  3. PPA is not responsible for decisions made by the client outside of sessions.
  4. PPA reserves the right to refuse to provide services if the client breaches the terms and conditions.
  5. The agreed fees cover minimal operational costs, including supervision requirements and administrative expenses.
  6. Fee structure: Therapy services offered by PPA are priced at £20 per session for clients. This pricing model reflects PPA’s commitment to service accessibility but does not guarantee free services or additional discounts beyond those explicitly offered.
  7. PPA reserves the right to amend pricing in response to changes in the organisation’s financial circumstances or external factors.
  8. Client expectations: Clients are informed that waiting lists and service availability may lead to misunderstandings regarding pricing and availability.
  9. Professionals working with PPA may hold psychology or therapy qualifications obtained outside the United Kingdom.
  10. Services provided by PPA constitute psychological and therapeutic support.
  11. PPA does not provide clinical diagnosis, psychiatric treatment, or services reserved for professions regulated by HCPC or GMC.

Using PPA services constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Complaints policy
Safeguarding standards for children and young people
Client–Consultant cooperation guidelines
Client–Therapist cooperation guidelines