Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions / Therapeutic Contract of all therapy provision

Please be sure to read these in detail and be aware that by booking any session, at any stage you are accepting these conditions. Latest update 12TH SEPT 2023.

Minor notes –  clarifications not alternations are added in
square brackets [ ]. Definition of Socratic challenge added 12.08.2024.

Your agreement to adhere to these terms means adhering to updates with a 7 day escape clause.

Please note that this latest update is as a result of a significant additional international certification being applied for, so some adaptation and tightening of the T’s and C’s are required. Minor clarifications are added in square brackets from time to time “[  ]”, significant changes are flagged to all clients so that they may decline to continue.

These conditions are for your protection to enable informed consent
We believe in transparency!

These terms and conditions are to ensure that where ever possible, appropriate support is provided and both parties understand the therapeutic contract. This is in your interest and is intended to be consistent with NICE guidelines.

They are also designed to ensure a fair contract for your therapist. Your therapist has legal representation and will defend their position.

These conditions will be strictly adhered to

For your protection we will enforce the boundaries that these conditions require. These terms and conditions effective replace all previous versions.

The following is agreed by the client or by the client’s parent or guardian on their behalf: Do not book a session if you do not agree. By booking you are agreeing and acknowledging INFORMED CONSENT AND CONTRACT.

  • COVID-19 and other subsequent health crisis: If in “lock down” or when social distancing is required, virtual sessions are provided as a legitimate alternative for any agreed face to face sessions.
  • We do not deal with gender identity issues. If gender issues apply to you, you are welcome to have trauma therapy and other therapies, but we are not able to support that issue. 

In the event of leaving therapy, stopping therapy or referral:

  • EITHER party may terminate the relationship at any time with 7 days notice.  Less than a full 7 days notice from the client incurs a session fee. The client does not need to provide a reason. (Blame is not required). The therapist may terminate and refer if there is a clinical reason, or a breech in contract, or if they are not reasonably able to maintain session provision.  The therapist may decline to take on a client without providing a reason. From September 2023 regular feedback forms have been introduced to all clients Google folders. This enables an easy beginning for feedback. A note is added that the therapist may also decide to decline further treatment, since the therapist is also human.
  • If it becomes inappropriate to continue treating a client for clinical, safety, non cooperation, inappropriate communication, supervisors direction, or non payment reasons, including if the client has not revealed pertinent facts about their condition from the outset that effect appropriateness of ongoing treatment, or failed to engage in the process through attendance or otherwise, the client will be discharged back into the care of the GP through therapy being terminated. Interpersonal relationship between therapist and client is important to the therapy process and when clearly this is not positive, it is also appropriate to refer. Treatment will be assessed on an ongoing process, but every 5 sessions or so if the therapist feels the client has misrepresented their needs, identity, or issue, the therapist can refer either back to the GP, or to other services if available.
  • It is not the responsibility of the therapist that clients may relocate, have educational related relocation or work related relocation.
  • If a client is referred to another practitioner by consent or request, clinical data may be shared if necessary for safe treatment. This will be “need to know” and factual, and additional information will only be shared at the request and with the agreement of the client. If such referral is for assessment, for example re ASD, then the client should make clear if information sharing is required or not.
  • We reserve the right to not take on, or continue with clients where ethnicity, identity, faith, intersection or other factors exceed the competence or appropriateness of the service. This may include issues that simply refer to an issue of ongoing cooperation. When there is any reason to doubt that the service suits the client, the therapist may choose to refer back to NHS and other care for the best interests of the client. This includes where the client attempts to deflect or otherwise control and move the therapy process away from it’s proper therapeutic goals and process. [Clarification: this includes the client choosing to adhere to any alternative system which is in conflict with the clinical process. We respect the client’s right to adhere to any system, but we will refer if this makes the process clinically inappropriate, conflicts or is unsustainable]. What should be expected in therapy is clearly defined in  the website page HERE
  • If you breech the cancellation policy and contracting arrangement, you will have your sessions cancelled, and you will be referred back to your GP for appropriate care. If you breech the contracting arrangement, then by definition you are withdrawing from sessions. This includes non attendance, non payment, and non statement of cancellation within the agreement. We are not responsible for your care or well being if you do not attend and adhere to your care plan.
  • 16.07.2023 We affirm our right to hold views protected by the law, and although we will be neutral and supportive advocates to those who have other views, we will neither affirm nor condemn views. [We maintain neutrality because our clients have a diverse range of views, faiths, politics and ideologies and we need to be able to provide a healing space for all].  We have our views, and we absolutely accept the views of others as free speech. this means that we offer a neutral space, not a condemned or cancelled space, nor an affirmed or brainwashed space. [This involves not allowing hate speech or use of labels towards others that the targeted person/group(s) may find offensive. Whether a name or label is offensive or not is considered the decision of the targeted person/group(s)]

General issues and conditions for ongoing therapy, including attendance and communication

  • Any medical condition has already been presented to a medical doctor for any medical treatment. Medical conditions are not treated* / diagnosed although recognised assessment protocols may be used (*except for where there is a NICE recommended psychological or complementary therapy treatment available, or a research evidenced treatment option). Weight loss can not be achieved without a sensible calorie controlled diet and exercise. Clients should discuss diets, exercise plans and weight loss with their medical doctor. Failure to disclose known mental health, learning disability or medical condition assessments or diagnosis may result in the practitioner having to discontinue treatment and may invalidate any agreed course of treatment or case management. We work with people with diagnosis according to NICE and other guidelines. We are not a statutory body and therefore may have to refuse some cases because of limits within our service. Any treatment offered is within psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy and complementary therapy competencies (including variations such as coaching, psycho-education, NLP, CBT and so forth). [2023]: You must disclose immediately any medical condition or disability such as a mobility issue, allergy or tendency for seizures or similar that may impact on health and safety so that this can be risk assessed. Failure to disclose such information may result in suspension or termination of support on safety grounds.
  • In the event that the client is engaged in another therapy process that makes involvement unethical, unsafe or ineffective, then the client may be refused, or referred back to their GP if this arises or is identified post acceptance into therapy. [ NB: this includes useful forms of therapy applied out of step with the 3 stage trauma process, and therapy with significant overlap risking confusion, contradiction with other professionals or contra-indication]. Forms of therapy that may be unsafe, or are not evidence based and are therefore “alternative” and not recognised in NICE guidelines or substantial peer reviewed evidence may be deemed unsafe and continued involvement may lead to referral back to the GP.  Your practitioner will express concern and refer if appropriate as part of their duty of care, if they feel you are at risk from some other form of “alternative” therapy you are involved in. Such therapies are not condoned and do not coexist with our approach.
  • Although insured and trained to provide “counselling”, Stuart does not use the job titles of “counsellor” or “psychotherapist”. Both counselling and psychotherapy are core methods within those job titles he is registered for, and subject to regulation in (clinical hypnotherapy and behavioural analysis). Stuart uses a combination of NLP & conversational hypnosis (deliberately evocative and active use of language) with compassionate inquiry and other therapeutic analysis based methods.  The result is more active than counselling, which is usually “person centred” and restricted to being reflective.
  • Touch may be used occasionally in therapy, such as assisting you with a yoga pose, a chi gung movement or other physical self help method. Occasionally physical touch will be used to guide in acupressure use. Although by agreeing to this form you give initial informed consent, you will be asked again verbally whether you consent at the time, and are welcome to refuse if you do not feel comfortable or emotionally in the right place for any reason. Touch therapy is under the Complementary Therapies registration (2024 this is CTHA), Chi Gung is covered under our main insurance (HIS) and Acupressure under the secondary policy (Westminster). Touch may also be used in emergency situations such as first aid, fire evacuation etc and although consent will be sought where possible, in a crisis this may not be possible and your wellbeing will be considered paramount.
  • If you have issues as a client about general bookings [obviously exclusion is about bland mechanics of bookings, or leaving therapy], availability, or any other function about the conduct of sessions, you will discuss these during session (we always have reviews), and not engage in email or other discussion which is inappropriate.
  • If your appointment is not reflected in the Google Cal system, and is not otherwise confirmed by private message (SMS / email) then you do not have an appointment. If in doubt email or SMS to check with as much warning as possible.
  • The first “assessment” session carries an additional fee. This is not  an attempt to make profit, it reflects the requirements of professional bodies to keep notes on file under data protection requirements for extended periods of time (often 10 or unlimited years). This is an assessment session and we absolutely reserve the right to refuse to take clients. This session is usually required to be paid in advance and is subject to the cancellation policy.  The fee is for assessment only. At the initial assessment the client is offered the chance to identify whether they have focused goals, or whether they want the therapy to be client led and holistic. Therapy is only provided around clinically appropriate core methods for the issues presented. The first 5 sessions are usually assessment orientated and after these (or before if appropriate) a decision will be made as to whether the process is clinically appropriate. if not then it is our ethical duty to refer on or back to your GP.
  • If at any stage self harming or suicidal feelings exist, you must tell your therapist even if these are below life threatening level. If they exceed that level, you can only be assisted if you also refer yourself back to primary care. You must inform your therapist of any changes.
  • You have read our cancellation policy at http://www.psychoanalysis.center/who/cancellation-policy
  • Repeated late payment will result in therapy being suspended. Payments must be made within 1 week of the session, or prior to therapy. Card payments are only possible via paypal.  BACS is available. Legal action may be taken against debt as a last resort.
  • Letters and requests to employers and universities to evidence mental health conditions will be charged at the session rate.
  • Safety instructions will be followed by the client and the client indemnifies the practitioner from any damage or injury at any level and to any person resulting in consultation or training. Safety precautions apply to the use of hypnotic or relaxation based processes or recordings, & must not be used when driving /operating machinery /while in the bath, or when being sleepy or asleep might be hazardous. Further safety advice given must be followed. Goods suggested, activities or self care activities, or exercise general ideas discussed as part of wellbeing coaching / psycho-education should be used strictly according to manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.  More on this issue HERE.
  • No guarantee is offered of success, progress is dependent on the client’s actions and efforts. If you do not adhere to the agreed therapy plan, this is not the fault of the practitioner. You should carefully read “What to expect from therapy” before booking. This is often known as a “therapeutic engagement contract”. You are agreeing to engage in levels of attendance and self help as part of becoming a client.
  • You must respect the anti-discrimination policy of the practitioner and affiliated bodies. You must not make false claims about the practitioner or his/her service. We have the right to stop therapy if you are offensive or misrepresent the service. You may not act inappropriately towards other service users or staff or otherwise act in a repeated abusive manner. [ Defamation and discrimination protection insurance and Union memberships will be robustly used to resist defamation attempts].  We never impose views on others, and we will robustly defend our rights to have our own personal views and right to privacy, especially in regard to legally protected matters, especially if these are referenced or insinuated by the client in the therapy process.
  • You understand that you must not attend for a session under the influence of drugs or alcohol other than properly used prescription medication. If this occurs treatment will be refused but you will be liable for the session fee. If you attend in an aggressive state, then appropriate self defence and health and safety applications will apply, and the fee will apply. Referral issues will then also apply.
  • The therapy relationship begins and ends at the therapy room. Basic queries are welcome by email or SMS but other questions should be presented during therapy sessions. Sessions follow a 55 minutes per hour allocation although double sessions can be arranged. (5 mins are allowed for smooth transition to the next session). If seen in public minimal response will be shown in respect of confidentiality unless otherwise agreed. We do not engage in discussions by phone prior to therapy assessment since any opinions offered would be speculative, and since this is not contracted time.
  • Client information taken may be used in therapist’s supervisory sessions or for research or training purposes, but only if this data is anonymous and all identifying information is redacted. The exception is that the first name of the client will be disclosed to a clinical supervisor, so that this can be used to cross reference and trace if necessary in the event of a complaint, or the client requesting data under data law. Client identity will be shielded at all times in these scenarios and even in supervisor situations, a supervisor is deliberately used from a different practice area. This includes audio and video recordings & photos, with client permission for advanced training. Audio recordings as well as notes may be used for ongoing service improvement. Such recordings are focused on the work and the practitioner, not the client. In the event of a complaint, all client data will be shared with legal counsel, supervisor and professional bodies involved. Clients may be asked to consider contributing to surveys to help gather research data, this is anonymous and completely voluntary. The client must not record sessions or any part of sessions without permission from the therapist.
  • It will be agreed with the client that a weekly or fortnightly session slot will be allocated. If the client changes this then they are cancelling the session contract and becoming “sporadic” attendees, meaning that the therapist only will fit them in at their convenience. If you cancel more than two slots in a row you loose your “slot”. (obviously if you settle the fee and have been absent for a reasonable reason this does not apply). [A gap between assessment and commencing therapy must not be more than a fortnight or the assessment information will not be clinically current] Cancellation rules are HERE
  • If two sessions are missed without communication, then it will be assumed that the client has withdrawn from therapy and referred themselves back to their medical care. This also constitutes failure to adhere to the care plan, meaning session slot(s) will be cancelled.
  • Data is gathered for clinical expertise and practice and may be used in the event of a complaint, but is otherwise deleted after the appropriate time period. You should also adhere to data protection. See data policy.
  • Parents or guardians of those under 16 must state this clearly and state the age and details of the subject overleaf.
  • Confidentiality should be discussed at the first consultation if the client believes it is an issue.
    We remain subject to confidentiality according to UK LAW. (police warrants, court, people at risk, safeguarding etc)
  • Stuart’s Boundary Statement is at our main website.
  • Disciplined Personal Involvement is used in sessions. DPI enables clients to experience realistic cause and effect on the therapist or other person. This means that the therapist will, in a disciplined manner, reflect emotional response and feelings to the behaviours and comments of the client, in order to provide learning opportunity. They may also where appropriate factors to identify them as irrelevant. (for example if they have back pain and wince, so you know it is the back pain and not anything you have said). Irreverent communication (see DBT) and Emotive Shocking / non sanitised language (Ellis), and humour (RO-DBT, Polyvagal, Analytic) are used to enable realistic communication and interpersonal interpretation.
  • Socratic challenge is used in trauma work, as in most therapy processes, and this involves gently but firmly asking the client to challenge their pre-held views on issues such as risk levels, behaviours or perceptions. This is not an attempt to impose views on the client, it is a recognised method of asking the client to check the validity of their own positions that may have been generated in times of trauma, or previously imposed on them by others.
  • Humour is used in therapy for a range of related issues: in conversational hypnosis model it permits more effective impact of suggestion to enable processing, consideration or change. In polyvagal based trauma work it enables the rupture and repair model to positively effect attachment and healing. It is a core method in RO-DBT, and it helps titrate threat in a safe way.
  • You agree to the complaints policy http://www.psychoanalysis.center/who/complaints
  • Note contact your therapist by Email or SMS, NOT with phone calls which will be auto-blocked. This is to stop sales calls and disruptive calls when in clinic or driving.
  • Please note that sessions are booked with the named client or clients only. You may not decide to give your session time to another person, even a family member or spouse. The therapist maintains the right to choose whether to accept or not accept any potential client, and the session contract is ONLY between the therapist and the named client(s).
  • Review and Termination. The progress is reviewed over the first 5 to 6 sessions of therapy, and then every few months through informal discussion of progress and goals. If appropriate the client may be asked to complete additional clinical assessments. The client may initiate a discussion at any appropriate session time. Once the process is identified as coming to an end, the last two sessions are usually used as a positive “winding down”, and it is recommended that abrupt endings are avoided when possible. The exemption to this is as previously stated there are clinical, behavioural, contractual, discrimination related or ethical reasons requiring the therapist to terminate and refer.
  • Price rises are usually considered yearly, normally in April with the new tax year. Some yearly increase is normal. If you have begun therapy in the 2 months before April, you are exempt from price rises that year. If you have had discretionary discounts due to hardship, then this may be reviewed at other times. If at any time you wish to leave due to price increases, your last 3 “termination” sessions will be provided at your existing rate.
  • Some therapists take notes during or after sessions to jog their memories. This is only useful for certain types and styles of therapy. Notes are not taken in session, or after session at Scotlandtherapy Partners. Risk Assessment notes may be taken if an issue is raised that raises safety or wellbeing or llegal implications, or relates to clinical appropriateness of the process. Where the risk assessment indicates the client is at risk, the matter may be discussed anonymously with clinical supervision, or in extreme cases of risk, the matter can be discussed with your stated next of kin, medical doctor or safeguarding authority.

Key words

Ethical therapists, ethical psychotherapy, critical psychotherapy, ethical practice in therapy, ethical and legal practice as a counsellor, ethical practice in therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, psychoanalysis, NLP, CBT, CBASP, MBCT, MBSR, Hypnosis