Is Counselling Confidential? A Surrey Counsellor Explains (with a Sprinkle of Fantasy)

If you’re seeking counselling in Surrey and wondering, “Is counselling actually confidential?” - you’re asking a completely valid and important question. Honestly, it makes total sense. Coming to your first counselling session can feel like entering a mysterious new realm: you might feel nervous, unsure, maybe even carrying emotional armour you’ve built over years. Sharing your story can feel tough, and naturally you’d want to know what your Counsellor does with the things you tell them.

In this blog, I’ll explain how confidentiality works in my practice here in Haslemere and Guildford, Surrey - so if you decide to work with me, you’ll know exactly what to expect. And because life is serious enough already, let’s add a gentle thread of fantasy along the way (since I am a LOTR nerd).

The Beginning of the Journey: Contacting Your Counsellor

Once upon a time, a client (perhaps you?) sends a message asking for their first session. They seek help with something important, and I - your Counsellor - am determined to offer the best support possible as we begin this quest together.

Before we set out, we read through the Therapy Scrolls together (otherwise known as my counselling contract). This enchanted document outlines what we can expect from each other on the journey: things like session structure, cancellations, contact between sessions, and of course - confidentiality.

Once everything is clear, we both sign our names on the parchment and begin.

So… What Happens to What You Tell Me?

As our sessions unfold, I write brief, factual progress notes. These aren’t formal clinical tomes, but small written reminders of what we spoke about, alongside a few observations I make as a practitioner. Think of them like clues I jot down while walking through the forest with you - helpful landmarks so I don’t lose sight of important themes.

Sometimes this includes psycho-jargon (I’ll spare you the spellbook glossary), like attachment patterns or defence mechanisms - things I track quietly in the background so you can focus fully on your story. Slowly, I’ll bring these patterns to your attention - gently shining a lantern on a blind spot - while still letting you lead at your own pace.

Where Are These Notes Kept?

Your notes are stored securely in my home, guarded like secret scrolls in a locked chest. You’re also given a codename (very Bond-meets-Middle-Earth) to keep you further anonymised. No one sees these notes but me.

I keep them safely for around four years (in case you return for future quests), and then they’re destroyed.

The Wizards Behind the Scenes: Supervision

Now, here’s where the fantasy theme becomes absolutely real:
I take your encrypted scrolls once a month to my Supervisor - a fellow therapist who, for the sake of this tale, is very much a wise wizard of the therapeutic realm.

Together, we sit at our metaphorical round table and review how the work is unfolding. We brainstorm routes worth exploring, possible spell-paths to revisit, and ways I can support you even more effectively. My supervisor helps ensure I’m working at my best, pointing out anything I may have missed or highlighting where things are going well.

And the enchantment doesn’t stop there - my supervisor has her own supervisor (another wizard!), whose job is to ensure she is guiding me correctly.

All Therapists have a supervisor - it’s part of our ethical practice and ultimately benefits you. After all, just like you’d expect your mechanic to know cars and your personal trainer to stay fit, it only makes sense that therapists keep developing their skills too.

Peer Supervision: The Council of Fellow Travellers

Once a month, I also meet with a small group of therapist colleagues - a kind of therapeutic adventurers’ guild. We share wisdom, compare notes, and highlight things each of us might have overlooked.

In both supervision and peer supervision, I never reveal your full name or identifiable details. We only discuss the work itself - nothing personal that would point to you. It’s about ensuring I am doing my best for you.

So Is Counselling Confidential?

Yes - completely, except in very rare situations.
Beyond supervision (which is anonymous and ethical), no one hears about our work together. I don’t discuss it with family, friends, or anyone outside those professional circles.

The only time I may have to break confidentiality is if I believe you’re at risk of serious harm and need emergency support - and even then, whenever possible, I’ll talk to you about this first. This may involve speaking to your GP or relevant support services, but this is extremely rare and always handled with care.

Final Thoughts

I hope this has lifted some of the mystery around confidentiality in counselling - especially if you’re considering therapy in Haslemere and Guildford, Surrey or online and want to know your information is safe. It’s absolutely not a silly question. In fact, I welcome questions that help you feel more at ease as we begin this journey together.

If counselling is something you’re thinking about, feel free to get in touch.
I’m here, scroll in hand, whenever you’re ready to begin your story.