1. Our Approach

All therapists and coaches working under Laura How Counselling & Coaching share a direct, solution-focused, integrative approach. While each therapist brings their own personality and experience, our shared ethos is vigorous and lively, positive and stimulating, but above all, direct and solution-focused.

This method can be challenging for some clients, to the extent that some individuals may, on rare occasions, feel offended by an insight or suggestion. These moments are part of the process and are best addressed with open communication, which we actively encourage.

If you have questions about any aspect of our approach, training, or how we work together, we welcome you to ask as often as necessary.

2. Scheduling Sessions

We generally work in an open-ended way with regular reviews of progress. We do not believe in “quick fixes,” although for some, a few sessions are all that’s required. All sessions are one hour.

You can book sessions via the Booking Menu on my website. New clients should use the Intake option; existing clients can book follow-up sessions using the Existing Clients option.

3. Online Counselling or Coaching Sessions via Zoom

You will need access to Zoom on your computer or mobile device. Zoom is free and can be downloaded from: https://zoom.us/download.

You will be sent a Zoom link each time you book. Please be ready to connect at the agreed time. If technical difficulties occur (e.g., poor internet connection), your therapist or coach will attempt to contact you by phone so the session can continue.

For tips on getting the best experience online, see the Online Sessions page on my website.

4. Emergency and Crisis Situations

This service is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please contact your GP, call local emergency services (e.g., 999 in the UK), or use crisis services such as Samaritans (UK: 116 123).

International clients should familiarise themselves with appropriate local emergency support services in their country.

5. International Clients

All therapists and coaches practise under UK professional standards. There is no national licensing system in the UK, and not all therapists are based here.

For legal reasons, if you work with a therapist or coach from outside the UK, the work will be contracted as coaching, not counselling, even though your therapist is fully qualified. This does not affect the quality or style of the work.

Any legal complaints must be pursued through the UK court system. This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

6. Time Zones

All international sessions are scheduled according to your local time zone, based on your browser’s clock. If you move time zones between booking and your appointment, it is your responsibility to account for the change.

7. Face-to-Face Sessions

Face-to-face sessions are offered by Laura How only and take place in a relaxed counselling room in Somerset, UK. Directions and parking information are available on the website.

All other therapists work online only.

8. Fees

Session fees vary depending on the selected therapist or coach. You can view current fees on the Booking Menu when selecting your therapist.

9. Cancellation

Sessions are booked for an agreed date and time.

• If you are late, your therapist or coach will wait up to 15 minutes. If you do not make contact within this time, the session will be considered missed and will not be refunded.
• Cancellations or reschedules can be made up to 24 hours before the session using the links in your confirmation email.
• Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are non-refundable.

10. Attending Sessions

We ask that you do not attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you do, the therapist or coach may stop the session and arrange to discuss this at a later date.

Being prepared matters. Please ensure you have a safe, private space to talk and allow yourself time after sessions to decompress. Sessions can bring up strong emotions, so giving yourself 5–10 minutes of quiet time afterwards is good self-care.

11. Reviews and Ending Sessions

Regular reviews are part of the counselling and coaching process. They ensure that you are receiving what you need from the sessions and support well-planned endings when the time is right.

Either you or we may end the work at any time. We ask, wherever possible, that endings are discussed in session so that they can be handled respectfully and therapeutically.

12. Therapist Illness or Unavailability

In the rare event that your chosen therapist or coach is unable to attend a scheduled session, you will be offered the choice of:

• Rescheduling with your therapist
• Receiving a refund for that session

Clients work with one chosen therapist or coach for the duration of their engagement. We do not substitute therapists without your explicit agreement.

13. Confidentiality, Anonymity, and Exceptions

The work we do together is confidential. However, there are rare circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken to keep you or others safe. This is a professional duty of care, and wherever possible, it will be discussed with you first.

14. Supervision

All therapists and coaches in my team attend regular professional supervision. This involves discussing aspects of client work with another qualified professional to ensure high standards, ethical practice, and client safety. Client anonymity is always maintained.

15. Discussing Your Therapy or Coaching

All communication is kept secure and password protected. We ask that you do the same. It is not appropriate to share written correspondence between us on social media.

16. Dual Relationships

To protect confidentiality and boundaries, we do not engage socially with clients. Contact between appointments is limited to administrative matters such as scheduling.

17. Data Protection

All client records, notes, and correspondence are stored securely and in accordance with UK data protection laws.

All transcripts, emails, and notes are owned by Laura How. In some cases, anonymised material may be used for professional development or case studies, but only with your permission.

Further details can be found in the Privacy Policy on my website.

18. Final Notes

When you book a session through the Booking Menu, you will always work with the therapist or coach you selected. All team members work under the Laura How Counselling & Coaching umbrella and share the same core ethos, ensuring a consistent, professional experience across the team.