LEGAL & PRIVACY POLICY
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
You will be offered a free 20-minute online initial consultation. No therapy will be provided during the consultation. The purpose of this initial consultation is to explain the process and discuss the presenting problem. During these calls, estimates of the number of sessions required to deal with your presenting issue are given on the basis of the information presented at that time. Estimates are only rough guidelines and are subject to change.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
In-person sessions: A 50% deposit is payable at the time of booking your first in-person session. The balance of the fee is due at least 48 hours prior to the first session. No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 48 hours of the session appointment.
Online sessions: A 50% deposit is required for online sessions, however total payment for online sessions must be made at least 48 hours before the scheduled session start time. Where payment is not received 48 hours before your session, the session will be canceled and may be offered to someone else. It is your responsibility to pay the session fees before each scheduled session in order to confirm the appointment booking.
CANCELLATION, RESCHEDULING & REFUNDS
Cancellation & rescheduling: If you need to cancel or re-schedule a session, please provide as much notice as possible. Notification must be made via email or phone call at least 48 hours prior to an in-person or online session. All forms must be completed 48 hours prior to the session itself for the session to take place, or the session will need to be cancelled or rescheduled at Anna Lancaster Therapy discretion. No refunds will be issued.
Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 48 hours of in-person sessions or 48 hours of online sessions. Session fees are for my time and professional expertise and are not a guarantee of a successful outcome. Therefore, no refunds will be given for any sessions where you have attended and paid for the session.Where a discount package or therapy program has been booked and paid for in advance, if you choose to discontinue your therapy process before attending all the sessions a refund is at the discretion of Anna Lancaster Therapy.
Session Fees: All professional fees will be disclosed to you prior to booking. My professional fees are subject to review and may increase from time to time. You will always receive confirmation of the professional fees before booking.
Payment Methods: Payment may be made by directly as Bank Transfer or through PayPal or Stripe.
RTT 360 sessions are purchased as a package upfront and sessions are valid for 6 months from the purchase date. Any extension is at the discretion of Anna Lancaster Therapy.
CONTACT BETWEEN SESSIONS
Any contact between sessions will be by telephone, email or letter during office hours only (9am - 6pm). Any messages received outside of these hours will be dealt with during office hours only.
MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
I may ask questions about your medical history to establish any contra-indications to treatment. This will also help to assess whether your health is affecting (or being affected by) the therapeutic goals you wish to achieve. Please update me of any medical changes during your course of therapy, or if you are returning to therapy after a period of absence. If you are receiving care or treatment from any medical, healthcare, or therapy practitioner, e.g. GP, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Counsellor, you may be asked to seek their permission before any therapy sessions can commence. Please note that I will be unable to offer my professional services if you suffer from epilepsy or any form of psychosis.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in online sessions. Clients under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
ATTENDING YOUR SESSIONS
Please ensure that you are available at your session start time. If you are running late, please let me know as soon as possible. I will do my best to make a full session available, however, as the ability to do this will depend on bookings after your session, this cannot be guaranteed.
HYPNOTHERAPY RECORDINGS
Hypnotherapy recordings should not be listened to whilst driving, operating machinery or undertaking any other activity where concentration is required. Any recording provided is for your personal use only and must not be shared, lent, copied or sold under any circumstances.
OUTCOME OF SESSIONS
The agreement to work on the issues presented by you in no way implies or guarantees the resolution of your presenting issue(s). No outcome can or will be guaranteed. However, I will always endeavour to use my best efforts and skills to work towards your goals and intended outcomes.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
During the course of any therapy sessions, I will treat you with respect and not abuse the trust you place in me. I will use best practice at all times in our mutual interest. In return, you undertake not to harm yourself, or any other person, including me, or any property belonging to either me or any other person.You agree not to attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, except those medications which have been prescribed by your doctor. If you do attend any sessions under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, or demonstrate violent or abusive behaviour, I will cancel the session and may refuse to see you for any further sessions without refunding any payment already made.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All contact, including sessions, telephone conversations and emails, will be conducted in confidence and may be recorded. Prior to any recording, your agreement will be sought. All recordings, conversations and notes will remain confidential, except in the following circumstances:
1.Where you give permission for confidentiality to be broken
2.Where I am compelled by a court of law
3.Where the information is of a nature that confidentiality cannot be maintained, for example:
• The possibility of harm to yourself or others exists
• In cases of fraud or crime
• When minors (under 18 years old) are involved
4. Where a referring GP or other healthcare professional requires a report. A copy of the report will be available on request.
LIABILITY & INDEMNITY
Under no circumstances will Anna Lancaster Hedman be liable for any damages, including without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential, or other damages (including without limitation lost profits, lost revenues, or similar economic loss), whether in contract, tort or otherwise, arising out of the advice or information provided to you during professional services provided by Anna Lancaster Hedman. In addition, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Anna Lancaster Hedman harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your participation in the professional services.
GOVERNING LAW
These terms and conditions and any other matters arising out of or in relation to these terms, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts to settle any dispute which may arise out of or in connection with these terms and conditions.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS UPDATES
These terms and conditions are subject to revisions without notice. Please familiarise yourself with any amendments if you have re-started therapy with me after a long period of absence.
DATA PROTECTION
For my services, your personal data is collected, processed, used, and stored in accordance with the following privacy policy as below. By booking an appointment, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not book an appointment. The terms of this Privacy Policy may change from time to time without prior notice to you, so please check my website periodically for any changes.
CONCERNS & COMPLAINTS
If you have a concern or complaint regarding your therapy, please discuss this with me in the first instance and I will endeavor to resolve the issue.
PRIVACY & DATA
This is to inform you what data I am collecting from you and what I intend to do with it.
What data do I keep and why do I need it?
Name and age – this is basic information that helps me get to know you.
Address, email address, phone number – I use this as a way of contacting you regarding your sessions. I will mainly use the method you first contacted me on but if I cannot reach you, I will try a different method.
Next of kin/medical professional’s details – If I was worried that you were at risk then I may need to contact your next of kin or medical professional if I can. I will let you know when/if I am going to do this.
Session notes – I keep brief notes of our session(s), in written format, scan and save online in a password-protected place, destroying the written notes after.
Will I share your data and if I do, who will I share it with and for what purpose?
It is very unlikely that I will share your data. I will not sell it on or use it for unethical reasons. I may have to share it if my notes are subpoenaed by court, if you or anyone you tell me about is at harm or risk of harm I may have to pass this information on. I may also discuss your case during supervision but I only use your first name.
How will I store your data?
Example text: It is mainly stored as a hard copy in a locked filing cabinet. Immediately after the work is finished, I transfer the data with your initials to my password-protected computer. Your phone number(s) may be kept in my business mobile phone with your first name and last initial. Only I will access your information.
How long will I store your data for and how will I dispose of it?
I will keep your details and session notes for the time required by my insurer (currently 7).
After this time I will destroy any document with your personal information and delete your phone number out of my mobile phone.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It is now required that all sessions be paid upfront. For any changes or cancellations please give three working days’ notice. Refunds cannot be given for missed appointments or when courses have been purchased. Please note, if you are more than 15 minutes late for your session you may not be seen. Any free follow-up sessions will be forfeited if sufficient notice is not given.
Sessions can be bank deposit or paypal. You will be emailed all the details of the session including the Zoom link when you when your booking has been confirmed. You will also be sent details of how to make the payment. Please fill out the contact form with your details to book an initial consultation. Please note depending on the time of year and client load there may be a slight waiting time.
If you have any medical conditions or are on any medication that may affect your treatment it is your responsibility to inform us prior to your first Consultation.