Legal Information

Therapy Terms and Conditions 

Please read these terms and conditions which apply to the provision of hypnosis, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, emotional freedom technique, thought field therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, stress management consultations and the techniques involved in all the practice and treatments of, during personal appointments and online therapy, and with the use of the website. 

They are designed to protect your interests as a client. By making an appointment, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. If you are unable or unwilling to agree to these terms and conditions, then you should not book an appointment, continue with your course of therapy or browse this website. Please notify Compassionate Therapy of this situation.  

Therapy Consultations and Fees 

Each therapy session lasts for approximately 60 to 90 minutes and the fee per session as advised from your enquiry. Please contact Compassionate Therapy for further details. A 40 minute initial assessment is provided before your first therapy session and payment is required in full for this assessment. No therapy is given during that session. A formal receipt for all payments is provided and available on request. 

Written treatment reports 

A request for a written report of the treatment given during a course of therapy can be provided on completion. 

There is an additional cost for this service. Please contact Compassionate Therapy for further details. The report does not in any way replace a report given by a general practitioner. 

Session fee changes 

The session fees are subject to reviews usually on an annual basis from 1st January. Notice will always be given of any price increases when you are in a course of therapy. 

Medical Conditions 

A medical questionnaire is conducted at the start of the initial assessment to establish any contra-indications to treatment. It is also used to assess whether your health is affecting (or being affected by the therapeutic goals you wish to achieve). Please update Compassionate Therapy of any medical changes during your course of therapy, or if you are returning to therapy after a period of absence. 

Payment 

Full payment is required for the initial assessment and therapy sessions prior to or on the day of the appointment. Payments can be made via bank transfer details will be provided or by cash..  Appointments will be confirmed via email invoice notification. The balance for the cost of the consultation is required before the start of the session in cash or bank transfer. A full advance payment will be accepted for a session by bank transfer.  

Cancellation 

If you wish to change, postpone or cancel an appointment, 24 hours notice must be given, or the cost of the full session is payable. Please contact Compassionate Therapy, 07522 457 422 to make your cancellation. This minimum period of cancellation allows Compassionate Therapy the opportunity to offer the cancelled session to another client. 

If you wish to discontinue your course of therapy, you do not have to give a reason. There can be external circumstances that make attendance difficult, but it is helpful if you can discuss these changes so that when you wish to resume therapy, these changes can be taken into account. 

Following your last appointment, your rights of confidentiality are permanent. Client records are destroyed after 10 years. 

Refund of full payment fees  

Sessions are non-refundable.  In the event of cancellation, the session can be carried forward to a future date. 

Contraindications

For most people, therapy is a pleasant, gentle, and extremely safe experience. 

However, your safety is my number one concern and there are occasions where therapy would be contraindicated. That means there may be a risk.  If you have any medical condition, please ask your doctor to give their approval before confirming your booking with me. 

I cannot work with you if you have a diagnosis of: 

• Psychosis 
• Schizophrenia 
• Pathological personality disorder 
• Senility 

I may be able to work with you if you have epilepsy, narcolepsy, depression, asthma, or a heart condition, but will require your doctor’s approval. 

Confidentiality 

Confidentiality is within our relationship and within my relationship with my supervisor (your personal details i.e. your name and address are not discussed in supervision). I will discuss any breach of this confidentiality with you in the first instance, except terrorist action or unless I believe you are in danger to yourself or others and unable to negotiate with me. 

If I see you somewhere outside of our sessions, to ensure your confidentiality, I will not approach you or act as if I know you. However, if you acknowledge me then I will acknowledge you. 

Although the therapeutic relationship is friendly, it is not the same as a friendship, so in order to maintain our therapeutic space as the confidential and safe experience that you deserve, I avoid any kind of dual relationship with current and former clients. 

I may keep short notes from our sessions. Should notes be made, they are kept confidential and are stored in a safe, secure place. 

Physical Contact

Occasionally some interventions require direct touch e.g. lifting a wrist. I will always ask your permission and explain exactly what and where the physical contact will occur prior to every occurrence. You may choose for us to work together entirely without touch; if you would prefer to do so, please let me know at the beginning of the session. 

Memory Recovery

On occasion therapy involves the experience of seeming to remember a past event. It should be noted that any information remembered in this way has as much chance of being false, as it does being based on an actual event. We will keep this kind of work to an absolute minimum. 

Cancellation and Lateness

Please give me as much notice as possible for the cancellation. For cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice the full fee will be payable.  If you are late for your appointment we will still need to finish by the allotted time.  If you arrive for treatment under the influence of mind-altering drugs or alcohol, the  session will be suspended, and the full fee charged. Further sessions will be at the  therapist’s discretion and may be cancelled permanently. 

If I think you would benefit from being referred to another therapist or specialist, we will  agree to make the referral as soon as possible. 

I reserve the right to cancel therapy at any time and to refuse prospective clients at my own discretion. 

Code of Conduct

Emma at Compassionate Therapy is a Member of Federation of Holistic Therapists and abides by the set Code of Conduct. 

Click on the link for more information. 

Code of Conduct and Professional Practice | Federation of Holistic Therapists Directory Service (fht.org.uk) 

Complaints Procedure

In the event of making a complaint please see the guidance from the Federation of Holistic Therapists. 

How to raise a complaint | Federation of Holistic Therapists Directory Service (fht.org.uk) 

Acceptance Of Terms 

I understand all questions and verify that all information is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also understand that the therapeutic methods used by Compassionate Therapy, are complementary treatments and are not a substitute replacement for medical or psychiatric treatment. I understand these methods to be a conditioning process, whereby an individual is taught to use their own abilities for their benefit and wellbeing. With this understanding, I hereby give Compassionate Therapy permission to work with me. I further grant permission for the sessions to be recorded/taped as needed. I know my progress is dependent upon my efforts and that there are no guarantees as to the result or progress to be made. I understand that the success of the treatment will be in direct proportion to my commitment to the end result. I agree to pay for services rendered to Compassionate Therapy as the charge is incurred. By booking my therapy, I am confirming that all information is true to the best of my knowledge, and I agree to all the terms listed above:  

This contract details the terms and conditions concerning our work together.  

1. The agreement to work on the issues presented by the client in no way guarantees a cure.  
2. The sessions are 60 to 90 minutes long and  paid in full before or on  the day of the treatment.  
3. Antisocial behaviour will cause the immediate cessation of treatment. 
4. Confidentiality will be maintained in all but the most exceptional circumstances. These can only include legal action (criminal or civil court cases where a court order is made demanding disclosure includes coroners’ courts) and where there is good cause to believe that not to disclose would cause danger of serious harm to others. 

Most standards of confidentiality applied in professional contexts are based on the Common Law concept of confidentiality where the duty to keep confidence is measured against the concept of ‘greater good’. The sharing of anonymous case histories with supervisors and peer support groups is not a breach of professional confidentiality. The sharing of open case histories with supervisors and any referring NHS medical practitioner is also not a breach.  

5. Sessions are non-refundable.  In the event of cancellation of a session, this can be carried forward to an agreed future date. 
6. Clients have access to the complaint’s procedure for the Federation of Holistic Therapists 

Compassionate Therapy Code of Ethics: 

Respect for Clients: I treat all clients with respect, empathy, and non-judgment. I honour the client’s autonomy and right to make their own decisions. Working towards the good of clients and doing no harm (Beneficence and Non-maleficence)I hold the welfare of clients central to my work and so commit to avoiding harm. 

1. Confidentiality: I maintain the confidentiality of all client information, except in cases where disclosure is required by law, or there is a risk of harm to the client or others. 
2. Competence: I have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to provide therapy services to clients. I ensure that I am providing therapy within the limits of my competence and seek supervision or consultation when needed. 
3. Informed Consent: I obtain informed consent from clients before beginning therapy. I inform the client of the purpose, goals, and potential risks of therapy, as well as any limits to confidentiality. 
4. Boundaries: I maintain appropriate boundaries with clients to ensure a professional relationship. I never engage in any sexual or romantic relationships with clients or exploit the therapeutic relationship for personal gain. 
5. Multicultural Competence: I am aware of and respect cultural differences and diversity in my clients. I strive to be culturally competent and avoid imposing my own values and beliefs on clients. 
6. Ethical Responsibility: I uphold the ethical standards of professionalism and report any ethical violations to the appropriate authorities. 
7. Professional Development: I engage in ongoing professional development to enhance my knowledge and skills and keep up to date with developments in the field.
8. Being trustworthy and responsible (Fidelity)I endeavour to establish trust with clients and the community in which I work. Therefore, I not only honour the trust placed in me by my clients and the community but also act in a respectful, professional and ethical manner when representing my profession.
9. Respect for the dignity and rights of the client (Autonomy) Clients have the right to self-determination and to be shown dignity and respect for making their own lawful decisions.
10. Justice I am aware of my own judgements based on my own experiences and need to take precautions (supervision) to provide a service that is not restricted by my own prejudice and limitations of experience. This also means showing respect for diversity of persons, without prejudice to colour, race, belief, gender, sexuality, social context, and mental and physical abilities.
11. Integrity and self-responsibility. I work to be as honest, truthful and accurate as possible. I am also responsible for looking after my own needs and health. So, as a practitioner I will only commit to a practice that I can offer being aware of my own expertise, training, health and wellbeing and let the client know if anything changes. 

In Addition:

1. I am bound by the Codes of Ethics and Practice of Compassionate Therapy as a Member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists: A copy of the code of practice and ethics have been made available. 
2. Subject to me being satisfied that your problem is one that can be alleviated by 

Therapeutic intervention, I agree to offer you sessions. This is my commitment to you. 

With the exception of item below, you are not contracted to any specific number of sessions. You may terminate therapy without further cost at any time you wish. 

3. The normal duration of each session is between 60 and 90 minutes, although I reserve the right to amend that time for therapeutic reasons. If for any reason you are late for a session, I will see you for the duration of the remainder but may be unable to work beyond the allotted time as this will disrupt the sessions for other clients who may be waiting. 

4. It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies, happen, that may make it necessary for clients to cancel their appointment last minute or fail to attend and are unable to provide notification. On these occasions it is at the Compassionate Therapy’s discretion if a fee will be charged. In general however, if you fail to give 24 hours notice of your intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session or if there is a repeat pattern of cancellations I reserve the right to charge in full for that session. 

5. If you have self referred the cost for each session will be provided. Payment should be made before each session via bank transfer or in cash. 

6. The cost of therapy includes any written materials I may supply, but excludes the cost of any books that I might suggest you read. 

7. In the event that a private health care plan is being used to fund your treatment, therapy will not commence until approval in writing has been received from the private health care organisation or you are able to provide the relevant authorisation code. 

8. As part of my code of practice I am required to carry out continuing professional development, and to engage in regular on-going clinical supervision. This is to ensure an ethical and professional service to clients. I may discuss your case in supervision but would not use any identifying details. 

9. The session may sometimes be recorded and you will be given prior notice to consent in that occasion.   
10. Confidentiality will be maintained within the codes of ethics and legal requirements. Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that I, as your therapist, might break the law or where withholding information means I would breach the codes of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if I consider there is a risk you may harm yourself or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for your well being or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. In such an event where I am considering breaching confidentiality, you will normally be consulted first. 

11. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism, vulnerable adult or child protection issues or drug trafficking, confidentiality will be breached and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as I am obligated to contact relevant authorities. 

12. Our therapeutic relationship will remain a professional one at all times, the boundaries of which (such as contact outside of our sessions) can be agreed between us during our sessions. 

13. Notes may be taken during and after each session, which will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). These notes will be securely stored. I will discuss the disposal, retention or otherwise of any such notes at the end of our engagement. They are disclosed to no one other than the clinical supervisor, unless required under a court of law subpoena. You have the right to inspect your records should you so wish, and this request will be fulfilled during a therapy session. 

14. If agreed payments for therapy are not being paid then I reserve the right to terminate therapy. 

15. Endings – Therapy can at times be demanding, frustrating, and emotional. You may at times find this process very difficult, and feel the need to end therapy. Your feedback on the process will be asked for at the end of each session and if you feel unhappy with any aspects of the treatment being offered please do try and communicate this verbally. This gives us both the chance to address and resolve engagement issues. In the normal course of events you will probably know when you are ready to finish therapy, and we will agree together on the work we need to do to prepare for this. 

16. I will not suddenly or without warning terminate our contract, except in exceptional circumstances, which would become clear in the course of our work together. This would be fully discussed at that time. Please note any threats or acts of violence will invalidate this agreement and therapy will cease. Sessions will not take place if you arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed medication. 

17. You will be notified of any holidays to be taken by myself well in advance. However, there may also be occasions when sessions may be cancelled because of illness or because of attending training sessions or meetings. I will try to give you as much notice as possible of any cancellation, and will offer an alternative time. Therefore, please notify any change in contact details. 

18. If you have been referred by an outside agency, for example a solicitor or insurance company and there is a pending civil court case – for example if you have been injured as a result of a road accident – I draw your attention to the fact that under the Data Protection Act (1988) I may be obliged to supply copies of our therapy records to a requesting appropriate party, providing you consent. 

19. In the event of you being unhappy with the service you receive, please discuss this with me. If you feel unable to do so or do not receive satisfactory resolution, then you have the right to complain to my professional body, the FHT. 

Therapists & Clients consent 

By booking and paying for therapy sessions you agree to these terms and conditions.

Compassionate Therapy Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults 

At Compassionate Therapy, I take the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. I am committed to ensuring that everyone who uses this service is safe and protected from harm, abuse, and neglect. 

Key Principles 

All children and vulnerable adults have the right to live free from abuse and neglect. 

I will work to safeguard children and vulnerable adults by promoting their welfare, preventing abuse, and taking appropriate action to address any concerns that may arise. 

I will always act in the best interests of the child or vulnerable adult, and their welfare will be our paramount concern. 

I will work in partnership with parents and carers, as well as other agencies, to ensure the best outcomes for the child or vulnerable adult. 

I will take all necessary steps to ensure that everyone is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and receive appropriate training. 

Definitions 

Children – anyone under the age of 18 years. 

Vulnerable adults – any adult who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental. 

I hold a fully enhanced DBS, and full insurance. I am a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists.  

Documentation is available upon request. 

I will conduct a risk assessment during the initial session to identify any potential safety concerns or risks for clients. This will include a discussion of any history of abuse or neglect, mental health conditions, and any other factors that may impact the safety of the client. 

I will provide you with informed consent documents that outline the therapy process, including my obligation to report any suspected abuse or neglect. 

I am a mandated reporter and will report any suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. I will also inform you that a report has been made. 

I maintain detailed records of therapy sessions, including any suspected abuse or neglect. These records will be kept confidential and secure. 

I receive training on identifying and reporting suspected abuse or neglect. 

I have a complaints procedure in place to enable clients to raise concerns about my conduct. 

I receive regular supervision to ensure that I am providing therapy in accordance with best practice and safeguarding policy. 

Compassionate Therapy’s Referral Procedure: 

Identification of Need: I will identify the need for additional healthcare services beyond my scope of practice. This could include services such as medication management, medical tests, or other specialist healthcare services. 

Discussion: I will discuss the need for additional healthcare services with you and obtain your consent to make a referral. I will explain the reasons for the referral and provide information about the healthcare professional that you will be referred to. 

Identification of Healthcare Professional: I  will identify the appropriate healthcare professional to refer to. This may involve research and consultation with colleagues or other healthcare professionals to ensure that the referral is the most appropriate healthcare professional for the need. 

Contacting Healthcare Professional: I will contact the healthcare professional to discuss the referral and provide relevant information about the client’s needs and history. This may include sharing relevant records, test results or reports I will also provide information about the client’s preferences. 

Confirmation of Appointment: I will confirm the appointment with the healthcare professional and provide you with the details of the appointment. I also provide any necessary information you about the healthcare professional and how to access the healthcare services. 

Follow-up: I will follow-up with you to ensure that the referral was successful and that you are receiving appropriate healthcare services. I will also communicate with the healthcare professional to ensure that your needs are being met. 

Review: I will review the referral process with you and obtain feedback on your experience. I will also review the referral process with all relevant parties involved to identify areas for improvement.