Ethical Practice Policy
Ethical Practice Policy
MenteMira is committed to providing counselling, psychotherapy, clinical supervision and related services in a safe, ethical, respectful and professionally accountable way.
This policy explains the ethical principles that guide MenteMira’s work. It should be read alongside MenteMira’s Counselling Agreement and Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Confidentiality Policy and Complaints Procedure.
1. Professional standards
MenteMira’s therapeutic work is guided by the ethical standards of the practitioner’s professional body.
Where the practitioner is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, work is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
This includes attention to:
- working in the client’s best interests;
- respecting autonomy, dignity and privacy;
- practising within professional competence;
- maintaining appropriate boundaries;
- being honest and transparent about the service offered;
- using regular clinical supervision;
- keeping appropriate professional records;
- responding responsibly to risk, safeguarding and complaints.
2. Professional status and competence
MenteMira practitioners provide services within the limits of their training, experience, professional role and competence.
Practitioner qualifications, professional memberships and areas of practice are stated clearly on the website or in relevant service information.
MenteMira does not present counselling or psychotherapy as a crisis, emergency or diagnostic service. Where another form of support appears more appropriate, this will be discussed with the client where possible, and signposting may be offered.
3. Respect, equality and accessibility
MenteMira aims to provide a respectful and inclusive service.
Clients are treated with dignity, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, pregnancy or maternity, socioeconomic background or other aspects of identity and lived experience.
MenteMira aims to make reasonable adjustments where possible. If a client has access needs, communication preferences or other requirements that may affect their use of the service, they are encouraged to discuss these before or during the work.
4. Informed consent and clear contracting
MenteMira aims to give clients clear information before therapy or supervision begins, including information about:
- the nature and limits of the service;
- fees, payment and cancellation terms;
- confidentiality and its limits;
- record keeping and data protection;
- online working;
- contact between sessions;
- crisis and emergency boundaries;
- complaints and professional accountability.
Clients are invited to ask questions before agreeing to work together.
5. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is central to ethical therapeutic practice.
MenteMira treats client information confidentially and shares information only where there is a lawful, ethical or professional reason to do so.
Confidentiality has limits. Information may need to be shared if there is a serious risk of harm, a safeguarding concern, a medical emergency, a legal requirement, a court order, or another situation where disclosure is necessary and proportionate.
Where possible, safe and legally permitted, the practitioner will aim to discuss any disclosure with the client first.
More detailed information is available in MenteMira’s Confidentiality Policy and Privacy Policy.
6. Clinical supervision
MenteMira practitioners use regular clinical supervision to support safe, ethical and reflective practice.
Client work may be discussed in supervision. Identifying details are avoided wherever possible. Supervisors are also bound by confidentiality and professional standards.
Supervision supports ethical decision-making, clinical reflection, professional development and safe practice. It does not replace the practitioner’s responsibility for their own work.
7. Records and data protection
MenteMira keeps appropriate records for clinical, administrative, legal, professional and insurance purposes.
Records are kept securely and handled in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant professional requirements.
Clients have rights in relation to their personal information. These are explained in MenteMira’s Privacy Policy, including how to raise a data protection concern or complaint.
8. Online practice and digital tools
MenteMira provides services online and takes reasonable steps to protect privacy, confidentiality and professional boundaries in digital work.
Clients are asked to join online sessions from a private space where they are unlikely to be overheard or interrupted.
Sessions must not be recorded or transcribed by either the client or practitioner, including by automated assistants.
MenteMira does not enter confidential or identifying client information into AI tools. AI may be used for general administrative, organisational, writing, editing, website or resource-development tasks, but not for therapy, supervision, risk assessment, client decisions, support decisions or replacing professional judgement.
9. Risk, safeguarding and emergency support
MenteMira takes risk and safeguarding responsibilities seriously.
Therapy can support people experiencing distress, self-harm thoughts or suicidal thoughts, but MenteMira is not an emergency or crisis service. The practitioner may support safety planning within therapy, but cannot provide urgent, out-of-hours or crisis-response care.
If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, clients should contact emergency services, attend A&E, contact NHS 111 where appropriate, or use local crisis services. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.
If a practitioner becomes concerned about serious risk to the client or another person, or about the safety of a child or adult at risk, they may need to take appropriate safeguarding or emergency action.
10. Boundaries and professional conduct
MenteMira aims to maintain clear, respectful and professional boundaries.
This includes boundaries around:
- session time and frequency;
- communication between sessions;
- social media and online contact;
- dual relationships;
- gifts or favours;
- record keeping;
- endings and breaks;
- professional roles and responsibilities.
These boundaries support safety, clarity and the integrity of the therapeutic or supervisory relationship.
11. Clinical will and unexpected practitioner absence
MenteMira has arrangements in place in case a practitioner dies or becomes seriously incapacitated and cannot contact current clients.
In this situation, an appointed professional colleague may access the minimum information needed to contact current clients and help manage records appropriately. That person is required to maintain confidentiality.
This arrangement is known as a clinical will.
12. Complaints and accountability
MenteMira welcomes feedback and takes complaints seriously.
Clients are encouraged to raise concerns directly where they feel able to do so, but they do not have to raise a concern with their practitioner first if this does not feel appropriate.
Complaints can be made by contacting:
MenteMira’s Complaints Procedure explains how complaints are handled, including service complaints, professional concerns and data protection complaints.
Clients may also contact the practitioner’s professional body for advice or to raise a professional concern. For BACP members, information is available through BACP’s Get help with counselling concerns service.
13. Ongoing ethical reflection
Ethical practice is not limited to following written policies. MenteMira aims to practise with ongoing reflection, humility and accountability.
This includes reviewing policies, seeking supervision and consultation, keeping professional knowledge up to date, responding to feedback, and making changes where this supports safer and better practice.
14. Questions
If you have questions about this Ethical Practice Policy, please contact:
