Bullying & Harrasment Policy

Introduction

This counselling practice is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all clients, visitors, and professional interactions.

Bullying, harassment, or abusive behaviour is not tolerated under any circumstances. This policy outlines what is meant by bullying and harassment, and how concerns will be addressed.

Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to:

• Clients and prospective clients
• Visitors to the premises
• All forms of contact related to the practice, including in-person sessions, online sessions, email, phone, and other communication

What is Bullying?

Bullying is behaviour that is:

• Repeated or persistent, and
• Intended to intimidate, undermine, humiliate, or control another person

Examples may include:

• Verbal abuse or aggressive language
• Threatening behaviour
• Intimidation or coercion
• Repeated boundary violations

What is Harassment?

Harassment is unwanted behaviour that:

• Violates a person’s dignity, or
• Creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment

Harassment may relate to a person’s:

• Sex or gender
• Gender identity or expression
• Sexual orientation
• Race, ethnicity, or nationality
• Disability or health condition
• Religion or belief
• Age or any other protected characteristic

Harassment can be a single incident and does not need to be repeated to be taken seriously.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated, degraded, or unsafe.

This may include (but is not limited to):

• Unwanted sexual comments, jokes, or remarks
• Sexualised language or behaviour
• Inappropriate questions about a person’s body or private life
• Unwanted physical contact
• Sexual messages, images, or gestures

Sexual harassment is never acceptable, regardless of intent.

Therapeutic Boundaries

Counselling relies on clear, ethical, and professional boundaries.

Any behaviour that crosses these boundaries—including sexually inappropriate, intimidating, or abusive behaviour—will be addressed promptly and appropriately. This may include setting clear limits, reviewing the therapeutic agreement, or ending the counselling relationship where necessary.

Raising a Concern

If you experience or witness bullying, harassment, or sexual harassment in relation to this practice, you are encouraged to raise this concern.

Concerns can be raised in line with the Complaints Policy, which outlines how issues can be shared, reviewed, and responded to fairly and respectfully.

Where appropriate, concerns may be raised informally in the first instance. Formal concerns can be submitted in writing, as outlined in the Complaints Policy.

All concerns will be taken seriously and handled with care, sensitivity, and professionalism.

Review of This Policy

This Bullying & Harassment Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains clear, inclusive, and reflective of best practice.

 Last reviewed: March 2026