Please read and submit your agreement to the Terms and Conditions by submitting the form at the bottom of this page.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THERAPY AGREEMENT at Mind and Therapy

The present therapeutic agreement is between you (the Client) and your Counselling therapist (Simon Harrison).

The present therapeutic agreement abides by the GDPR legislation 2018. By commencing therapy, the Client (you) agrees to the following terms and conditions:

All new Clients are required to read and confirm the acceptance of the terms and conditions of this therapeutic agreement. Confirmation can be provided in writing via email. If written confirmation is not provided for any reason, then by starting therapy the Client agrees to the terms & conditions of this agreement. The Client is required to respond in writing (via email) if s/he does not agree to the terms and conditions of this agreement.

All appointments for clients must be paid 48 hours before the appointment or at the time of booking the appointment. Failure to do so will result in the Clientforfeiting the session.

The Therapist abides by the code of confidentiality of BABCP and GDPR regulations. Identifying information, such as Client’s name, address, biographical details and other description of a Client’s life and his/her circumstances, will be kept private and stored safely.

Contact outside sessions is encouraged mainly for re-scheduling appointments. If there is a crisis you can leave a message by email or text and your Therapist will contact you as soon as they are available. Please be mindful that Mind and Therapy is not a crisis service. If you require emergency support please contact your GP, NHS 111 online service or 999.

For detailed Terms and Conditions, please see below.

Client TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JURISDICTION

These terms and conditions are governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law. This applies to in person and online sessions. In the event of any dispute arising in relation to these ‘terms and conditions’ or any dispute arising in relation to the Therapist, whether in contract or otherwise, the English courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over such dispute.

DEFINITIONS

• The ‘Therapist’: The clinician assigned by Mind and Therapy to offer psychological services.

• The ‘Client’: You

• ‘Therapy’ and ‘Therapy session’ is the time spent with the Therapist who will apply his chosen method of therapy application and modality.

• ‘Modality’ is a model of study for therapeutic application. Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Thought Field Therapy are examples of psychological theories that could be applied to suit the client using a client centred approach.

• The ‘Session’ is the booked time slot and arranged time working with the ‘Therapist’.

• ‘Presenting Issue(s) or ‘Problem’ is what the Client wants to work on with the Therapist.

• The ‘Goal’ is the therapeutic goal created collaboratively with input from both the Client and the Therapist and is what the Client would like to achieve as the desired outcome in therapy.

• The ‘Desired Outcome’ is the desired result of the work that the Therapist and the Client work towards achieving.

• The ‘Session Time’ in person or online is 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed.

1. FORMATION OF AGREEMENT

After booking an appointment by either telephone or email, the Client, in accepting the appointment, accepts the following conditions for the appointment: The Client agrees to the Therapist contacting him/her via email or SMS. In the event that the Client prefers that the Therapists only use telephone contact, s/he must state this in writing via email or text.

Booking: Appointments can only be made through discussion between the Therapist and Client, via email or telephone correspondence. When making an appointment via the booking system or emailing/texting the Therapist, the Client will receive a booking confirmation via email. The Client may book ahead all his/her sessions (times/dates) at the Therapist’s office or online providing that these times/dates are not booked by other Clients, or s/he may book one session at a time.

The Therapist requires the Client to be truthful and work in the best interests of the agreement between the Therapist and the Client.

The Client agrees to provide the Therapist with all pre-session written work such as questionnaires (if applicable) as appropriate within the requested timeframe 48 hours prior to the booked session.

Lateness: The Client is paying for the agreed time with the Therapist and at the agreed location (physical or online). It is the Client’s responsibility to attend the session on time.

No refund will be given for any late arrival at the session under any circumstances. This includes emergency or unforeseen circumstances out of the Client’s immediate control, as the 48 hours cancellation policy will still apply.

If the Client arrives late, an extension of the agreed time or rescheduling the session will not be offered.

The Therapist is not required under any circumstances to go beyond the arranged session finishing time. The session will be terminated at the end of the arranged time even if the Client has not reached his/her desired outcome.

The Therapist will use reasonable care and skill in providing the service that the Client chooses. Clients are different and so is every therapy session. There are no guarantees of successful outcomes.

It is not the responsibility of the Therapist to achieve the desired outcome for the Client. The desired outcome as an achievement of the goal(s) cannot be guaranteed or promised to the Client by the Therapist. It would be unethical to provide a guarantee for a Client’s treatment of therapy.

If the Client is not satisfied with the therapy’s outcome, there is no refund. Mind and Therapy does not accept any liability in relation to the therapy and theories used in session.

2. PRICING, PAYMENT AND METHODS OF PAYMENT

The fee for a 50-minute therapy session in person or online is £50, unless otherwise agreed or £30 for a 30 minute session.

Payment can be in the form of cash before the start of the session or, preferably, via a bank transfer 48 hours before the session. Bank details will be given at the booking of the appointment.

Credit and debit cards are also accepted. The Client, however, is obliged to pay any related transfer fees per transaction. The Therapist bears no responsibility for any transaction fees set by any third parties.

Failure to comply with payment requirements will result in the session being cancelled and the session will be made available to other Clients.

It is at the Therapist’s discretion whether to accept late payment.

Clients must be current with payments before booking a new session.

3 CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations can be done via email, WhatsApp or text by the Client, with a minimum of 48 hours before a session for a refund in full. 

3.2. Any cancellations within the 48 hour notification period will not be charged.

3.3. If a Client would like to cancel a session before 48 hour cancellation period, the Client is expected to contact the Therapist by email WhatsApp or Text.

3.4. If a Client fails to give 48 hours notice of cancellation for whatever reason, s/he will have to pay for the booked session or not receive a refund for the booked session. This applies under any circumstances including emergencies, illness, or any situations that are out of the Client’s control.

3.5. Rescheduling before the 48 hour deadline will allow the session fees to be carried over to the new appointment but under the same terms and conditions for cancelling.

3.6. Short Notice emergency sessions can be booked directly with the Therapist in writing but under the same terms and conditions for booking/payments/cancellation period.

3.7 Any sessions cancelled or postponed by the Therapist will be rescheduled at a mutually agreed time. Your Therapist cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred as a result of him or her having to postpone any sessions, for whatever reason. Any payment made upfront will be transferred to the next session.

4. REFUNDS

4.1 ‘Booked Sessions’ by the Client must be paid for in full before the session. No refund will be issued for any cancellations or missed appointments with notice less than 48 hours in writing (email). This policy applies under all circumstances including emergencies, illness, or any situations out of the Client’s control.

4.2. The Client is not bound by the cancellation fee if s/he contacts the Therapist in writing (by email) to cancel or rearrange prior the session within exactly 48 hours.

4.3. The Client is expected to pay in full any cancelled or missed appointment with less than 48 hours notice.

4.4. If written cancellation is received within the 48 hours notice, the Client has no claim to this session time and the Therapist reserves the right to offer this slot to other Clients.

4.5. If the Client wants to arrange or re-book an appointment within the 48 hours cancellation period, s/he is expected to request this change in writing. The Therapist will try to offer an alternative appointment but cannot guarantee to accommodate the Client’s request.

4.6. The Therapist will not terminate the session before its agreed time. However, if the Client desires to finish a session earlier than the agreed time, a refund for the remaining time of the session will not be given.

4.7. The Therapist can only offer an estimate of the duration of therapy based on his clinical experience. This, however, is only an estimate and therapy can be extended or terminated based on the Client’s needs and treatment’s progress.

4.8. Sometimes a Client requires more time or less time than expected and this can only become known after therapy has started. If the Client is in any doubt at any point or has any questions relating to the agreed duration of therapy, the Client must raise the appropriate questions with the Therapist during an agreed therapy session.

4.9. The Therapist reserves the right to terminate a session without a refund if it is considered that the Client is a personal risk to him or anyone else in office or in the building. The appropriate services will also be alerted in all cases of violence or personal threats.

4.10. Personal threats, verbal or physical abuse and vandalism will not be tolerated and the session will be immediately terminated. Subsequently, no refund or any monies will be given for the remaining time of the booked session.

4.11. Although the agreed session time is 50 minutes, the Therapist reserves the right to terminate the session if the Therapy is not considered in the best interest of the Client. The Therapist reserves the right not to disclose the reason for the session’s termination. In these circumstances, no refund will be given.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

5.1. The Therapist will adheres to the BACP ethical framework and guidelines to ensure that the Client receives professional and competent service.

5.2. Confidentiality is agreed between the Client and the Therapist. The Client is entitled to expect that the information they give to the Therapist about themselves and others will remain confidential. The Therapist reserves the right not to disclose to any third party any information related to therapy sessions. This applies to all circumstances even at the request of the Client. Information can be disclosed only if it is required by law.

5.3. In line with UK law and the Therapist’s ethical codes BACP, the Therapist reserves the right to break confidentiality and disclose session information (notes, video or audio recordings) to any relevant third parties (e.g., GP, police, social services, legal services, emergency services) if in his/her clinical opinion the Client’s safety is a risk to her/himself or to others or is at risk from others. The Therapist reserves the right to break confidentiality and disclose session information to child protection services if in his/her clinical opinion there is physical or sexual abuse or neglect of any person under 18 years of age. Similarly, the Therapist reserves the right to break confidentiality and disclose session information, if s/he believes that an elderly person or disabled person is being abused or neglected, to the appropriate state agency that handles abuse to elderly or disabled persons. Finally, the Therapist reserves the right to break confidentiality and disclose session information to authorities if the Client discloses any involvement with terrorism and money laundering whether it is related to drug trafficking or any other serious crime.

5.4. If the Therapist decides a confidentiality breach is necessary, he will endeavour to discuss this matter with the Client and any recommendations will be documented. If this discussion is not possible due to any limitations or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., time limitations, urgency of the matter, availability, illness), the Therapist may have to proceed with the breach of confidentiality without prior notice to the Client.

5.5. The Client’s personal information in any session material is confidential and kept securely. However, in line with the Therapist’s professional accrediting bodies, the Therapist is expected to be in regular clinical supervision to ensure high quality of psychological services. Therefore, some information will be shared with the Therapist’s clinical supervisor and/or outside clinical sources who are also accredited with a professional body and abide by the ethical framework and guidelines of the profession. No personal identifiable information will be used to discuss the Client with regards to the material that would be shared. However, discussion topics from the therapy sessions will be used in order to ensure that the Therapist is getting and giving the best assistance possible. The person(s) with whom the Therapist discuss Clients’ cases are legally bound to keep information confidential.

By commencing therapy, the Client consents to video/audio recordings being made of these sessions and to these recordings being used to aid the work between the Therapist and the Client. The Client has the right to refuse consent to video/audio recordings and must state this in writing before the commencement of therapy.

Any material produced in the session (e.g., video/audio recordings, session notes, written homework, and psychoeducational material) is the Therapist’s intellectual property and copyright.

The Therapist also requires confidentiality of the Client at all times. It is not permissible for the Client to disclose any written, recorded or distributed correspondence/material related to the session, pre-session or post-session.

The correspondence and all therapy material shared between the Client and the Therapist is to be used only by the Client. All written and verbal communication is issued and intended according to the Client’s individual treatment plan. If the Client shares any recorded or written material that was intended for his/her exclusive use, the Therapist accepts no responsibility for the material’s effecting use on any third parties. Therefore, copying, reproducing or displaying this information publicly or electronically is not permitted.

The Client under no circumstances is permitted to record (video, audio) the session (on the phone or any other device) unless the Therapist has issued consent in writing.

All relating correspondence (verbal or in writing) such as by phone, email or online software is strictly for use of the Client and the Therapist. Information can be disclosed only if it is required by law.

6. HANDLING, COLLECTION, STORAGE AND USAGE OF DATA

The lawful basis for the Therapist holding and using the Client’s information is in line with the law of Data Protection Act GDPR. 

Upon starting therapy, the Client’s basic personal information will be collected for contact and identification reasons. These include the Client’s full name, date of birth, next of kin, address and GP details. If any of the Client’s contact or GP information change during therapy, the Clients should inform the Therapist in writing providing the new information.

Information is kept securely and confidentially in line with the data retention policy as stated above.

Session notes or personal details of the Client are kept in electronic form and paper form. Any paper notes are kept in a secure, robust, locked filing cabinet. All digital information is stored on a domestic computer, which is password protected and stored within a secure building.

6.5. The Client’s information is kept for a period of time that is considered necessary following the end of therapy to comply with any obligations that are placed upon the Therapist by his/her insurers and his/her accrediting bodies.

7. Client’S RIGHTS

The Client has the right to access the clinical notes. Beyond the clinical notes, any details held about the Client are for the Therapist’s own use and not shared.

The Client has the right to request a copy of the clinical notes that the Therapist holds about her/him. If the Client would like a copy of some or all of his/hers clinical notes, then the Client must email or write to the Therapist via the contact details stated on the contact form on Psychology Clinic London’s website or directly at mindandtherapy@gmail.com Information will be provided to the Client within 30 days.

8. REVIEWS AND ENDING THERAPY

The Client and the Therapist will review sessions regularly depending on the Client’s demand or as the Therapist finds this appropriate.

The Client is not tied into any long-term commitment and s/he may end sessions by giving 48 hours notice in writing although a number of ending sessions depending on the length of treatment is recommended.

If the Therapist considers the Client’s needs are beyond the limits of his/her competence, the Therapist reserves the right to terminate the therapeutic contract. The Therapist will discuss this with the Client in the session and further recommendations, if possible, may be provided.

If the Therapist decides to end the therapeutic agreement with the Client due to unforeseen circumstances, he reserves the right not to disclose the reason for this decision. However, the Therapist will endeavour to give a month’s notice.

INFORMED CONSENT

By commencing therapy, I acknowledge that I have read the information above and I agree with the terms and conditions of this agreement.

 

 

Complaints procedures 

Please bring to my notice any complaints that you may have and I will endeavour to address the situation.