Your safety, and the safety of others, matters.
Counselling provides a space to talk openly. At the same time, there are situations where action may need to be taken to protect you or someone else.
What safeguarding means
Safeguarding is about protecting people from harm, abuse, or neglect.
This includes:
- Children and young people
- Vulnerable adults
- Anyone at risk of serious harm
When action may be needed
In most situations, what you share remains confidential.
There are some circumstances where further action may be required:
- If there is a risk of serious harm to you
- If there is a risk of harm to someone else
- If there are concerns about abuse or neglect
- If someone is at immediate risk
These situations are rare, but they are important to be clear about.
What may happen
If a concern arises, it will be considered carefully.
Where necessary, information may be shared with appropriate services. This could include:
- Your GP
- Emergency services
- Local safeguarding services
Only the information needed to support safety would be shared.
Being open with you
Where possible, any concerns will be discussed with you first.
The aim is always to work with you, not around you.
In some situations, action may need to be taken without prior discussion if there is an immediate risk.
Record keeping
If a safeguarding concern arises, a record will be made.
This includes:
- What has been shared
- The decision made
- Any action taken
Records are stored securely in line with data protection requirements.
Professional responsibility
Ali Brown is a registered member of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
This includes a responsibility to act where there are concerns about safety.
Safeguarding decisions are not taken lightly. They are guided by professional standards and, where appropriate, discussed in supervision.
If you have concerns
If you have concerns about your own safety or someone else’s, you are encouraged to raise this.
This can be discussed within sessions, or you can seek support from appropriate services.
Client feedback
“I would like to send you a huge thank you for your help over the last year. You have been so very helpful, giving practical advice and support after my domestic abuse ordeal. You've been my voice of reason, helping me to ground myself and avoid overthinking, as well as giving me confidence to take back control of my life. I have learned so much from you and from the information and links you've provided. I'm back on my feet with new boundaries and a positive outlook for the first time in 2 years. I can't thank you enough. I wouldn't hesitate to contact you again if required and would 100% recommend you to others.”
“Working with Alison has been wonderful and I would highly recommend her as a therapist. She is an attentive listener, very easy to talk to and has a calm and empathetic demeanour which always made me feel very at ease. I opened about issues that I've kept bottled up for years, and she responded supportively and compassionately, whilst offering tools to help me cope with the problem. I'm incredibly grateful for the positive impact she's had on my outlook for life.”
“Alison is a compassionate person, who listens without judgment. She is easy to talk with and one immediately feels safe. She gives wise counsel and is very supportive. I would highly recommend her.”
“Alison provided me with support to learn and strengthen so many life skills that I felt I lacked. I used to find it very difficult expressing my emotions and would mask as a positive people-pleaser. Through our sessions she made me more self-aware and helped me to look at difficult emotional situations from a different perspective. This then led to helping me look within to see who I was and what my needs were. Now I can comfortably set boundaries and I am more assertive and able to express my wants and needs. Alison always gave me a non-judgmental space to be heard while I worked through a difficult time.”
“Alison is a fabulous and experienced therapist. She has a gentle empathic manner and really helped me discuss deeply sensitive problems and explore why I was facing the difficulties that had become so painful in my life. She set me on the right track and session by session I felt better. Highly recommended”
“Alison helped me through an extremely difficult time in my life with calm kindness and understanding that was exactly what I needed at that point. She gave me the tools to manage my emotions and deal with events in my life in a positive productive way. I will forever be grateful for the impact she has had in my life.”
Contact me
I’m here to help
Ready to take the first step? I'm here to support you on your journey.
Based in Morpeth, Northumberland, with face to face and online sessions available.
For a private and confidential chat, please call 07778 719 382 or fill out the form below. Alternatively, email me via alison@calonlancounselling.co.uk.
I will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss how I can help.