Terms & Condition of Therapy Agreement

TERMS & CONDITION OF THERAPY AGREEMENT 

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BASIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The present therapeutic agreement is between you (the Patient) and the Psychologist assigned to you by the Psych-Ology Ltd.

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

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All new Patients are required to read and confirm the acceptance of the terms and conditions of this therapeutic agreement no later than prior to the booked session.

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Confirmation can be provided either by email or by signing a hard copy of this agreement. Failure to do so, therapy will not commence and the Patient will lose the scheduled session including any prepaid fees.

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Any insured or uninsured session cancelled or rescheduled by the Patient with less than 5 days’ notice, will be charged in full to the Patient. All appointments for uninsured Patients (private) must be paid before or at the time of booking for the appointment. Failure to do so will result in the Patient losing the session.

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The Psychologist abides by the code of confidentiality of HCPC and BPS and GDPR regulations. 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.

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The Psychologist attending to the Patient may only be reached for the purposes of cancellations and rearrangements with regards to their appointment sessions and contacting the Psychologist via his work phone out of session time is strongly discouraged.

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For detailed Terms and Conditions please see below.

PATIENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JURISDICTION                                                                                                      These terms and conditions are governed by and to be interpreted in accordance with English law. In the event of any dispute arising in relation to these 'terms and conditions' or any dispute arising in relation to the Psychologist, whether in contract or otherwise the English courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over such dispute.

DEFINITIONS

• The 'Psychologist': The clinician assigned by Psych-Ology Ltd to offer psychological services.

• The 'Patient': You

• The 'Insurer' or the Healthcare Provider: AETNA, AXA PPP HEALTHCARE, AVIVA, CIGNA, WPA, VITALITY HEALTH.

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

• 'Modality' is a model of study for therapeutic application. Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing are examples of psychological modalities.

• The 'Session' is the booked time slot and arranged time working with the 'Psychologist'.  

• 'Presenting Issue(s) or 'Problem' is what the Patient wants to work on with the Psychologist.

• The 'Goal' is the therapeutic goal created collaboratively with input from both the Patient and the Psychologist 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 Psychologist and the Patient work towards achieving.

• The ‘Session Time’ in Person or Online is 50 minutes unless otherwise agreed.

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1. FORMATION OF AGREEMENT
1.1 After booking an appointment by either telephone or Email, the Patient, in accepting the appointment, accepts the following conditions for the appointment. The Patient agrees to the Psychologist contacting him/her via email or SMS. In the event that the Patient prefers that the Psychologists 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 Psychologist and Patient, via email or telephone correspondence. When making an appointment via the booking system or emailing/texting the Psychologist, the Patient will receive a booking confirmation via email. The Patient may book ahead all his/her sessions (times/dates) at the Psychologist’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. Insured patients new to the Psych-Ology will be required to email to the Psychologist their name, birthdate, full current address, insurance membership number and authorisation code for invoicing purposes. These details will be verified with the Patient’s insurer 48 hours before your session time. If the Patient’s details cannot be verified, the Patient will be contacted to provide up-to-date information.

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

1.5. The Patient agrees to provide the Psychologist with all pre-session written work such as questionnaires as appropriate within the requested timeframe 24hrs prior to the booked session.

1.6. Lateness: The Patient is paying for the agreed time with the Psychologist and at agreed location. It is the Patient’s responsibility to attend the session on time.

1.7. If the Patient arrives over 30 minutes late no refund will be given in any circumstances. This includes emergency or unforeseen circumstances out of your immediate control, as the 5 days cancellation policy will still apply.

1.8. If the Patient arrives late, (less than 30 minutes) an extension of the agreed time or rescheduling the session will not be offered.

1.9. The Psychologist 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 their desired outcome.

1.10. The Psychologist will use reasonable care and skill in providing the service that you choose. Patients are different and so every therapy session. There are no guarantees of successful outcomes.

1.11. It is not the responsibility of the Psychologist 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 Psychologist. 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 we do not offer a refund. Psych-Ology does not accept any liability in relation to the therapy and modalities used in session.

2. PRICING, PAYMENT & METHODS OF PAYMENT                                                                                                           2.1 The fee for a 50-minute uninsured/private psychological session in person or online is £120.

2.2 A 50 minute insured psychological session will be covered by your insurer. Excess fess will be covered by the Patient and an invoice will be sent to the Patient accordingly.

2.3. Payment can be in the form of cash before the start of the session or, preferably, via a bank transfer 24 hours before the session. Bank details will be given at the booking of the appointment.

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

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 Psychologist's discretion whether to accept late payment. Payments are not accepted during or after a session in any circumstances.

2.7. Patients must be up-to-date with payments before booking a new session.

3. REFUNDS

3.1 ‘Booked Sessions’ by the Patient must be paid for in full before the session or the beginning of the session. No refund will be issued for any cancellations or missed appointments with notice less than 5 days in writing (email). This applies under all circumstances including emergencies, illness, or any situations out of the Patient’s control.

3.2. The Patient is not bound by the cancellation fee if they contact the Psychologist in writing (by email) to cancel or rearrange prior the session within exactly 5 days. For example, if a session is booked for Wednesday at 5pm the 5 days’ notice must be given the latest the preceding Wednesday at 5pm.                                                       3.3. The Patient is expected to pay in full any cancelled or missed appointment with less than 5 days’ notice.

3.4. If written cancellation is received within the 7 notice days, the Patient has no claim to this session time and the Psychologist reserves the right to offer this slot to other Patients.

3.5. If the Patient wants to arrange or rebook an appointment within the 5 days cancellation period, they are expected to request it in writing. The Psychologist would try to offer an alternative appointment but they cannot guarantee to accommodate the Patient’s request.

3.6. The Psychologist 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.

3.7. The Psychologist can only offer an estimate of the length of therapy based on his/her clinical experience. This however, is only an estimate and therapy can be extended or terminated based on the Patient’s needs and treatment’s progress.

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

3.9. The Patient is not entitled to any refund or any monies for any remaining time if a session finishes earlier than booked and arranged in any circumstances including those that are out of the control of the Psychologist or the Patient. Whether the session is ended earlier or extended, the consultation fee remains the same.

3.10. The Psychologist, 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.

3.11. Personal threats, verbal or physical abuse, vandalism, will not be tolerated and the session will be terminated effective immediate. No refund or any monies will be given for any time spent with the Psychologist or the remaining time of the booked session.

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

3.13. When booking from outside the UK the appointment time and further communication regarding the appointment are in the time zone of the Psychologist’s current location. If the Patient has booked in the wrong time zone, the Psychologist cannot be responsible for the error. This will be counted as a missed session and payable by the Patient and not the Insurer if you are insured.

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4. CANCELLATION POLICY
4.1. Cancellations can be done via email by the Patient, with a minimum of 5 days before a session for a refund in full. 5 days is exactly 5 days hours prior to the arranged time – e.g. an appointment arranged for 2pm Monday must be cancelled by 2pm the Monday before.

4.2. Any cancellations within the 5 days period notice will not be charged.

4.3. If a Patient attempts to cancel a session before the 5 days cancellation period, the patient is expected to contact the Psychologist by email.

4.4. If a Patient fails to give 5 days’ notice for their cancellation, they will 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.

4.5. Rescheduling before the 7 day deadline will allow session’s fees to be carried over to the new appointment but under the same terms and conditions for cancelling.

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

5. CONFIDENTIALITY, HEALTH & SAFETY
5.1. The Psychologist is an accredited member of BPS, BABCP and HCPC and adheres to their ethical framework and guidelines to ensure that the Patient receives a professional and competent service.

5.2. Confidentiality is agreed between the Patient and the Psychologist. The Psychologist reserves the right to not 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 and the Psychologist’s ethical codes confidentiality, the Psychologist 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.

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

5.5. The Patient’s personal information any session material is confidential and kept securely. However, in line with the Psychologist’s professional accrediting bodies s/he is expected to be in regular clinical supervision to ensure high quality of psychological services. Therefore, some information will be shared with the Psychologist’s clinical supervisor who is also accredited with a professional body and abides to the ethical framework and guidelines of the profession.

5.6. As  part  of  the Psychologist’s aim  in  offering  a  high  quality  service,  the Psychologist has found  it  helpful  to make voice and/or video recordings of sessions. Review of recordings usually offers better insight and understanding of the presenting issues that might be helpful in the Patient’s circumstances.

5.7. By commencing therapy the Patient consents to video/audio tapes/recordings being made of these sessions and to these tapes/recordings being used to aid the work between the Psychologist and the Patient. The Patient has the right to refuse consent to video or audio recordings and must state this before the commence of therapy in writing.

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

5.9. The Psychologist 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.

5.10. The correspondence and all therapy material shared between the Patient and the Psychologist 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 indented for his/her exclusive use, the Psychologist accepts no responsibility for the material’s effecting use on any third parties. Therefore no general (copy, reproduce or display publicly or electronically) use of this information is permitted.

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

5.12. All relating correspondence (verbal or in writing) such as by phone, email or online software is strictly for use of the Patient and the Psychologist.

5.13. The Patient agrees to use the material as directed by the Psychologist. The Psychologist does accept no liability for the use of any written or recorded material.  

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6. HANDLING, COLLECTION, STORAGE AND USAGE OF DATA

6.1. The lawful basis for the Psychologist holding and using the Patient’s information is in relation to the delivery of a contract to the Patient as a health care professional. As an accredited member of BPS and HCPC and a registered member of BABCP, the Psychologist 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, insurance membership number (when applicable), and GP details.

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 the time necessary to provide therapy or supervision, beyond this the Psychologist holds the Patient’s details for a period of time following the end of your therapy to comply with any obligations that are placed upon the Psychologist by his/her insurers and his/her accrediting bodies.

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7. PATIENT’S RIGHTS            

7.1. The Patient has rights related to the information the Psychologist holds to verify the accuracy. Beyond the clinical notes, any details held about the Patient are for the Psychologist’s own use and not shared.

7.2. The Patient has the right to request a copy of any information that the Psychologist holds about her/him. If the Patient would like a copy of some or all of his/hers personal information, then the Patient must email or write to the Psychologist via the contact details stated on the contact form on this website or directly on therapy@drmariapournara.co.uk. Information will be provided to the Patient within 30 days.

7.3. If the Patient changes his/her address, G.P. or phone number s/he must inform the Psychologist in writing via email.

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8. REVIEWS AND ENDING THERAPY 8.1. The Patient and the psychologist will review sessions regularly which may be on the Patient’s demand or as the Psychologist finds appropriate.

8.2. The Patient is not tied into any long term commitment and s/he may end sessions at any time, although a number of ending sessions depending on the length of treatment is recommended.

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

8.4. If the Psychologist decides to end the therapeutic agreement with the Patient due to unforeseen circumstances s/he reserves the right to not disclose the reason for his/her decision. However, the Psychologist will endeavour to give a month’s notice.