Legal & Professional Framework
Introduction
This page outlines the legal, ethical, and professional framework within which Pro Comfort Counselling operates.
The services provided are compliant with United Kingdom legislation, covered by professional insurance, and grounded in academic training and continuous professional development.
Pro Comfort Counselling operates within a transparent and responsible framework.
Legal Basis of the Services
Official Registration
Pro Comfort Counselling is registered in the United Kingdom as a Sole Trader, under a UTR issued by HMRC.
The activity is legally recognised and carried out in accordance with UK tax and business regulations.
ICO Registration
Pro Comfort Counselling is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for the processing of personal data, in accordance with the applicable data protection obligations in the United Kingdom.
ICO Registration Number: ZC095162
Professional Insurance
The services are covered by an active policy of:
Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance
(Oxygen Insurance / Marsh Ltd)
This insurance provides financial and professional protection in unforeseen situations.
Applicable United Kingdom Legislation
The activity is carried out in accordance with the main regulations applicable to psychological counselling services:
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 – regarding confidentiality and the protection of clients' personal data.
🔗 ICO – UK GDPR guidance
Equality Act 2010 – regarding fair and non-discriminatory treatment of clients.
🔗 Equality Act 2010
Consumer Rights Act 2015 – regarding the rights of service users.
🔗 Consumer Rights Act 2015
Tax and business regulations applicable to sole traders in the United Kingdom.
🔗 HMRC – Set up as a sole trader
🔗 Oxygen Insurance – Professional Liability for Psychologists
Professional Titles and Legal Protection
In the United Kingdom, certain professional titles are protected by law.
Pro Comfort Counselling uses transparently the title of:
Psychological Counsellor / Consilier Psihologic
Protected titles associated with HCPC or BPS accreditation are not claimed, such as:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counselling Psychologist
- Chartered Psychologist
No medical diagnoses are issued and no medication is prescribed.
The founder and operator of the services is:
Marian Claudiu Ciuhan, MBPsS
ℹ️ Informative note: Professional bodies such as BPS, HCPC, and others generally display in their public registers only those specialists who are fully accredited or formally registered in the relevant category. Individuals who are still undergoing a validation, equivalence, or registration process may not appear in those public registers. In such cases, proof of active membership or documentation relating to the professional validation process may be provided directly upon request.
Studies & Qualifications
Qualifications
- BSc Psychology – UK ENIC equivalent (Level 6)
- MSc Family & Couple Psychotherapy & Evaluation in Clinical Practice – UK ENIC equivalent (Level 7)
- Psychopedagogical Module II
- Qualified Teacher Status in Romania ("Definitivat în învățământ")
- Qualified Teacher Status (UK)
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Safeguarding & Child Protection (Levels 1–3+, Designated Safeguarding Lead)
- GDPR & Data Protection (UK GDPR 2018 compliance)
- Clinical and mental health training: treatment of anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychopharmacology
- Personality assessment – from normality to pathology (PsihoProfile, 2025)
Psychometric Instruments Used in Psychological Assessment
In certain situations, the process of psychological assessment may be supported by the use of standardised and scientifically validated psychometric instruments.
These instruments allow a structured and quantifiable analysis of relevant dimensions of psychological functioning and may be used in relation to individual, relational, professional, vocational, group, team, or organisational contexts, depending on the objective of the assessment.
Within Pro Comfort Counselling, psychological assessments are carried out using the professional PsihoProfile platform, which includes an extended battery of psychometric instruments used in applied psychological practice.
The platform integrates multiple assessment batteries, including contemporary models of personality analysis such as the Big Five theoretical framework, as well as instruments relevant to emotional functioning, relational patterns, motivation, vocational orientation, adaptive vulnerabilities, group dynamics, organisational climate, and leadership-related dimensions.
The use of these instruments supports the process of psychological understanding and contributes to the formulation of professionally grounded directions for counselling, development, applied analysis, or psychological intervention.
The results of psychometric instruments are interpreted in the context of the psychological interview and relevant professional observations, and are integrated into a coherent psychological formulation aligned with the objective of the assessment. This approach allows the correlation of quantitative data with the lived context of the person, group, or organisational setting being assessed, contributing to a more nuanced and professionally useful understanding of psychological functioning.
The PsihoProfile platform includes an extensive range of psychometric batteries used in the assessment of personality and broader psychological functioning, with instruments selected according to the context of the evaluation and the objectives of the counselling or assessment process.
Professional Authorisation for the Use of the Platform
The founder of Pro Comfort Counselling, Marian Claudiu Ciuhan, MBPsS, is licensed and authorised to use the professional PsihoProfile platform for computer-assisted psychological assessment and the generation of psychometric reports for counselling purposes.
On the basis of this professional licence, Pro Comfort Counselling may provide psychological counselling reports and psychometric profiles, aligned with the objective of the assessment and based on the validated instruments available within the platform.
Depending on the context of the assessment, the psychometric batteries used may address:
- personality structure and personality profiles
- emotional functioning and coping mechanisms
- relational styles and communication patterns
- motivation and personal orientation
- vocational interests and career direction
- stress, adaptation, and psychological vulnerability factors
- group, team, and organisational dynamics
- organisational climate and leadership-related styles
The platform includes over 30 psychometric instruments used in applied psychology, selected according to the context of the assessment and the objectives of the counselling or analytical process.
Psychometric assessments may be used in a variety of personal, relational, professional, and organisational contexts, depending on the objective of the evaluation, including:
- personality assessment
- relational style assessment
- professional and vocational direction assessment
- assessment of stress and adaptation factors
- group and team analysis
- organisational climate and leadership-related assessment
Psychometric reports generated in this context are used exclusively for psychological counselling, applied psychological understanding, and personal or professional development purposes, as support for the process of clarification and for the formulation of intervention directions within counselling, assessment, or related professional work.
Disclaimer regarding psychometric assessments – professional status, limits, and use
Psychometric assessments used within Pro Comfort Counselling are intended to provide structured psychological analysis, guidance, and support for the counselling process, depending on the objective of the assessment and the context in which it is carried out.
These assessments:
- do not constitute a medical or psychiatric diagnosis;
- do not replace medical consultation, psychiatric assessment, or specialist treatment;
- do not, in themselves, constitute an automated clinical decision and are not used to produce solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects on the individual;
- are interpreted exclusively in the context of the psychological interview, relevant professional observations, and the stated purpose of the assessment.
The reports and profiles generated in this context are used exclusively for the purposes of psychological counselling, personal or professional development, guidance, and applied psychological analysis, at an individual, relational, professional, or organisational level, as applicable.
Pro Comfort Counselling does not claim, through the use of these assessments, professional titles protected by law, and does not present psychometric results as a substitute for acts reserved to regulated professions where United Kingdom legislation requires specific registration or competence.
In situations where the context requires medical or psychiatric assessment, risk management, specialised clinical expertise, or referral to other services, the client may be directed to the appropriate professionals or institutions.
Affiliation & Professional Status
- Member of the British Psychological Society (MBPsS, GBC) – 524949 – since 2020.
- Professional affiliation / registration pathway with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) currently in progress.
Ethics & Professional Codes
The practice is guided by:
- BPS – Code of Ethics and Conduct
- HCPC – Standards of Conduct
- BACP – Ethical Framework
The fundamental principles include:
- Respect
- Competence
- Responsibility
- Integrity
- Confidentiality
🔗 BPS – Code of Ethics and Conduct (2018)
🔗 HCPC – Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
🔗 BACP – Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
Adjusted Fee Policy
Pro Comfort Counselling may offer a limited number of adjusted-fee places under the following conditions:
- Fee: £70 / session
- applicable for a maximum of 6 consecutive sessions
- valid exclusively for individual therapy
- requires a written request and supporting documentation
- granted subject to available monthly capacity
The granting and continuation of the adjusted fee are determined exclusively by Pro Comfort Counselling.
Reductions:
- are not cumulative
- are not applied retrospectively
- do not affect agreements already confirmed in writing
After the initial period, continuation of the process and any fee adjustments are reviewed by mutual agreement.
Pro Comfort Counselling reserves the right to modify this policy for future appointments.
Vision & Professional Direction
Pro Comfort Counselling aims for the progressive development of the services offered, with emphasis on:
- strengthening individual and couples interventions
- developing group programmes
- collaborations with organisations and institutions
- assessment and psychological support services in organisational settings
The professional direction is oriented towards sustainable growth, while maintaining high standards of practice and responsibility.
Governance & Internal Compliance
Pro Comfort Counselling maintains an internal framework of compliance and professional governance in line with the Accountability Principle (Article 5(2) UK GDPR).
This framework includes:
- Records of Processing Activities (Article 30 UK GDPR – ROPA)
- a proportionate Data Protection Impact Assessment (Article 35 UK GDPR – DPIA)
- an internal register for the management of potential data security incidents
- internal policies regarding confidentiality and document retention
- clear breach notification procedures (Articles 33–34 UK GDPR)
These documents are maintained internally and may be made available to competent authorities or institutional partners where necessary.
Professional governance forms an integral part of the way Pro Comfort Counselling conducts its activity.
Useful Resources for Clients
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NHS Mental Health Support – official NHS advice and services for mental health.
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Samaritans (116 123) – 24/7 confidential support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
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BPS – Find a Psychologist – official British Psychological Society register.
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HCPC – Check the Register – official verification of legally protected professional titles.
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