Legal & Privacy Policy

Free Initial Consultation

You will be offered a 15 minute consultation call for £25. 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 non-refundable deposit is due upon booking. The remaining balance must be paid at least 48 hours before the session.

Online sessions. A 50% deposit is required at booking. Full payment is due no later than 48 hours before the session.

Sessions not paid in full 48 hours in advance may be cancelled and offered to another client. All professional fees will be confirmed before booking and may be reviewed periodically.

Payment methods. Payment may be made directly by bank transfer or through Stripe.

RTT360 packages. RTT360 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.

Cancellation, Rescheduling & Refunds

Cancellation notice

• More than 48 hours’ notice. No charge.
• 24 to 48 hours’ notice. 50% of session fee charged.
• Less than 24 hours’ notice, or failure to attend. Full session fee charged, or session forfeited.

Required intake forms must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the first session. Failure to do so may result in cancellation without refund.

Refund policy

Refunds are not issued for sessions cancelled within 48 hours. Pre-paid therapy packages are non-refundable once commenced; however, pro-rata refunds may be granted 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 to 6pm). Any messages received outside of these hours will be dealt with during office hours only.

Medical or Psychological Conditions

Anna 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 Anna 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 (for example a GP, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Counsellor), you may be asked to seek their permission before any therapy sessions can commence.

Please note that Anna is unable to offer professional services if you suffer from epilepsy or any form of psychosis.

Age Restrictions

Clients must be 18 years or older. Under-18s require signed consent from 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 Anna know as soon as possible. Anna will do her 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. After 15 minutes a session may not be possible.

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

Hypnotherapy and Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT®) are not substitutes for medical or psychiatric treatment. Anna Lancaster Hedman Cl. Hyp is not a licensed medical practitioner.

• Clients must not suffer from epilepsy or psychosis. By attending therapy, you confirm you do not have these conditions.
• You give consent to be hypnotised and to participate fully in therapy, understanding that success depends on your own motivation and commitment (for example, listening to recordings for 21 days).
• No outcome can be guaranteed; results vary based on individual participation and factors outside Anna Lancaster Therapy’s control.

Standards of Behaviour

During the course of any therapy sessions, Anna will treat you with respect and not abuse the trust you place in her. She will use best practice at all times in your mutual interest. In return, you undertake not to harm yourself, or any other person, including Anna, or any property belonging to either Anna 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, Anna 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:

• Where you give permission for confidentiality to be broken.
• Where Anna is compelled by a court of law.
• Where the information is of a nature that confidentiality cannot be maintained, for example: where the possibility of harm to yourself or others exists; in cases of fraud or crime; or when minors (under 18 years old) are involved.
• 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 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.

In addition, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Anna Lancaster 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 & 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 Anna after a long period of absence.

Data Protection

For Anna’s services, your personal data is collected, processed, used, and stored in accordance with the privacy policy set out 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 the website periodically for any changes.

Concerns & Complaints

If you have a concern or complaint regarding your therapy, please discuss this with Anna in the first instance and she will endeavour to resolve the issue.

Privacy & Data

This section sets out what data Anna collects from you and what she intends to do with it.

What data is kept, and why

• Name and age. Basic information that helps Anna get to know you.
• Address, email address, phone number. Used as a way of contacting you regarding your sessions. Anna will mainly use the method you first contacted her on but if she cannot reach you, she will try a different method.
• Next of kin or medical professional’s details. If Anna was worried that you were at risk then she may need to contact your next of kin or medical professional. Anna will let you know when (or if) she is going to do this.
• Session notes. Anna keeps brief notes of sessions in written format, scanned and saved online in a password-protected place; the written notes are destroyed afterwards.

Will your data be shared

It is very unlikely that your data will be shared. It will not be sold on or used for unethical reasons. Anna may have to share it if her notes are subpoenaed by court, or if you or anyone you tell her about is at harm or risk of harm; in which case she may have to pass this information on. Anna may also discuss your case during supervision but uses your first name only.

How your data is stored

Data is mainly stored as a hard copy in a locked filing cabinet. Immediately after the work is finished, Anna transfers the data with your initials to a password-protected computer. Your phone number(s) may be kept in her business mobile phone with your first name and last initial. Only Anna will access your information.

How long your data is stored

Anna will keep your details and session notes for the time required by her insurer (currently 7 years). After this time Anna will destroy any document with your personal information and delete your phone number from her mobile phone.

Additional Information

If you have any medical conditions or are on any medication that may affect your treatment, it is your responsibility to inform Anna prior to your first consultation.