Terms and conditions of the therapy program agreement.

The present therapeutic agreement is between you (the Patient) and the Therapist assigned to you by MindSure.

By commencing therapy, the Patient (you) agrees to the following terms and conditions:

All new Patients 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 Patient agrees to the terms & conditions of this agreement. The Patient is required to respond in writing (via email) if s/he does not agree to the terms and conditions of this agreement.

All appointments must be paid the time of booking the appointment. Failure to do so will result in the Patient forfeiting the session.

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

MindSure is not a crisis service. If you require emergency support please contact your GP, or emergency number.

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 MindSure offers psychological services.

• The ‘Patient’: You

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

• ‘Modality’ is a model of study for therapeutic application: Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Sport’s Therapy Programing and Nutritional Therapy Programing therapy are examples of psychological modalities.

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

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

• The ‘Goal’ is the therapeutic goal created collaboratively with input from both the Patient and the therapist and is what the patient 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 Patient work towards achieving.

• The ‘Session Time’ in person or online is 120 minutes for initial consultations and 60 minutes for all other sessions unless otherwise agreed.

1. FORMATION OF AGREEMENT

1.1 After booking an appointment on the MindSure website, telephone or email, the Patient, in accepting the appointment, accepts the following conditions for the appointment: The Patient agrees to the therapist contacting him/her via email or SMS. In the event that the Patient prefers that the therapists only use telephone contact, s/he must state this in writing via email or text.

1.2. Booking: Appointments can only be made through discussion between the therapist and Patient, via the website, email or telephone correspondence. When making an appointment via the booking system or emailing/texting the therapist, the Patient will receive a booking confirmation via email once payment has been made. The Patient 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 Patients, or s/he may book one session at a time.

1.3. We do not take insurance.

1.4. The therapist requires the Patient to be truthful and work in the best interests of the agreement between the therapist and the Patient.

1.5. The Patient agrees to provide the therapist with all pre-session written work such as questionnaires (if applicable) as appropriate within the requested time-frame 24 hours prior to the booked session.

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

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

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

1.9. 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 Patient has not reached his/her desired outcome.

1.10. The therapist will use reasonable care and skill in providing the service that the Patient chooses. Patients are different and so is every therapy session. There are no guarantees of successful outcomes.

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

1.12. If the Patient is not satisfied with the therapy’s outcome, there is no refund. MindSure and your therapist do not accept any liability in relation to the therapy and modalities used in session.

2. PRICING, PAYMENT AND METHODS OF PAYMENT

2.1 The fee for an initial assessment/consultation for 2 hours in person or online is £400. The program of 40 hours is £8,000.00. Follow up sessions after the program is completed, are 1 hour and the fee is £200.00, unless otherwise agreed.

2.2 The sessions will take place in-person or on-line, via an online meeting platform, or as otherwise indicated by the therapist. 

2.3. Payment can be in the form of Paypal or bank transfer before the start of the session.

2.4. Credit and debit cards are accepted via Paypal.

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

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

2.7. Patients must be current with payments before booking a new session.

3. CANCELLATION POLICY

3.1. Changing times for initial consultations or follow up sessions, after the program, can be done via email or text by the Patient, with a minimum of two days before a session. Two days is exactly two days hours prior to the arranged time (48 hours). The full program cannot be cancelled once commenced and all sessions must be taken according to the program although changes of dates and times are allowed as per above.

3.2. Any cancellations within the two-day notification period will not be charged.

3.3. If a Patient would like to cancel an initial consultation or follow up session before the two-day cancellation period, the patient is expected to contact the therapist by email or text.

3.4. If a Patient fails to give two days’ notice of cancellation, 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 Patient’s control.

3.5. Rescheduling before the two-day 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.

4. REFUNDS

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

4.2. The Patient 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 two days. For example, if a session is booked for Wednesday at 5pm, the two-day notice must be given the preceding Wednesday at 5pm at the latest.

4.3. The Patient is expected to pay in full any cancelled or missed appointment with less than two days’ notice.

4.4. If written cancellation is received within the two-day notice, the Patient has no claim to this session time and the therapist reserves the right to offer this slot to other Patients.

4.5. If the Patient wants to arrange or rebook an appointment within the two-day 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 Patient’s request.

4.6. The therapist will not terminate the session before its agreed time. However, if the Patient 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 Patient’s needs and treatment progress.

4.8. Sometimes a Patient requires more time or less time than expected and this can only become known after therapy has started. If the Patient is in any doubt at any point or has any questions relating to the agreed duration of therapy, the Patient 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 Patient 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 stated upon booking, the therapist reserves the right to terminate the session if the Therapy is not considered in the best interest of the Patient. The therapist reserves the right not to disclose the reason for the session’s termination. In these circumstances, no refund will be given.

4.12. When booking from outside the UK, the appointment time and further communication regarding the appointment are in the time zone of the patient’s current location.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

5.1. The therapist adheres to their ethical framework and guidelines to ensure that the Patient receives professional and competent service.

5.2. Confidentiality is agreed between the Patient and the therapist. The Patient 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 Patient. Information can be disclosed only if it is required by law.

5.3. In line with UK law, 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 Patient’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 Patient 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 Patient 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 Patient.

5.5. The Patient’s personal information in any session material is confidential and kept securely.

5.6. Any material produced in the session (e.g., session notes, written homework, and psychoeducational material) is the therapist’s intellectual property and copyright.

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

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

5.9. The Patient 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.

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

6. HANDLING, COLLECTION, STORAGE AND USAGE OF DATA

6.1. The lawful basis for the therapist holding and using the Patient’s information is in relation to the delivery of a contract to the Patient as a healthcare professional. The therapist operates under a strict code of confidentiality.

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

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

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

6.5. The Patient’s information is kept for a period of two years following the end of therapy to comply with any obligations that are placed upon the therapist.

7. PATIENT’S RIGHTS

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

7.2. The Patient has the right to request a copy of the clinical notes that the therapist holds about her/him. If the Patient would like a copy of some or all of his/hers clinical notes, then the Patient must email or write to the therapist via the contact details stated on the contact form.

8. REVIEWS AND ENDING THERAPY

8.1. The Patient and the therapist will review sessions regularly as the therapist finds this appropriate.

8.2. The MindSure Program, the Patient is tied into a 40 hour commitment. She/He may end sessions by giving one week’s notice in writing but no refund will be granted for remaining unused sessions in the program.

8.3. If the therapist considers the Patient’s needs are beyond the limits of his/her competence, the therapist reserves the right to terminate the therapeutic contract and refund any outstanding untaken and prepaid sessions. The therapist will discuss this with the Patient in the session and further recommendations, if possible, may be provided.

8.4. If the therapist decides to end the therapeutic agreement with the Patient due to unforeseen circumstances, he reserves the right not to disclose the reason for this decision. However, the therapist will endeavour to give notice and any untaken and pre-paid sessions will be refunded in full.

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.