My Terms & Conditions set out the therapeutic agreement between us.

It lets you know what you can expect from therapy sessions and sets out what is expected of me as your therapist and what is expected of you as the client.

My Terms & Conditions are in line with BACP guidelines.

If you engage in the services of Lighthouse Psychotherapy, you will be expected to sign a contract which is in line with these terms of conditions.

APPOINTMENTS

David Mather (Lighthouse Psychotherapy) will be in good time for sessions each week. Sessions are 50 minutes; if the client is late or delayed it will not be possible to extend the session beyond the usual finishing time.

The appointment day/time will be set during an initial consultation.

If I am unable to attend, you will not be charged and I will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible and/or try and rearrange the session for another time.

FEES

The therapy fees will be set at the initial consultation and will be paid at least 24 hours ahead of each session via online bank transfer. Fees are still due if you cancel a session. I review my fees annually.

HOLIDAYS

I will give 4-6 weeks’ notice for holiday dates. Holiday times include Christmas break (two weeks) and Bank Holidays. Clients will also give 4-6 weeks’ notice for any holiday dates, where possible.

MISSED SESSIONS & CANCELLATIONS

Client understands the following about missed sessions:

Sessions cancelled less than 48 hours in advance will be charged in full.

If they will be away on holiday leave they are still required to pay for the sessions missed, however, catch-up sessions will try to be arranged to make up for those missed during their leave.

If I cannot attend a session, clients do not have to pay for the missed session.
I will contact you and agree to give 48 hours’ notice, to minimise disruption, where possible. I will also try to rearrange the session at a time suitable for both parties.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

All clients are required to fill out a ‘Registration Form’ which includes information such as their name, address, phone number, date of birth, email, GP details, any medication and emergency contact details. This can be handed to me at the first session or an electronic version e-mailed prior to this.

Please let me know if any of the information you provide changes or if you change your GP. I will retain this information only as long as the work together continues, after which time it will be deleted.

VENUE

Sessions will be held online or in a location specified by myself and agreed upon by us both.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The contract between Lighthouse Psychotherapy and the client is confidential. I will not disclose any information to a third party other than in the event that in my opinion there is a threat to the client’s own safety or to the safety of others, or if I am obliged to do so by law.

If I do need to disclose information for these purposes I will try to do this in discussion with the client and with their prior consent. My governing body, BACP requires me to have appropriate supervision for all clients. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018, any records of sessions will be kept confidential and held in a secure and encrypted manner.

COMPLAINTS

I abide by the BACP ethical framework and professional conduct procedures. If at any time a cause for complaint arises that cannot be resolved between myself and the client, the client may have recourse to the BACP complaints procedure.

TERMINATION

I and the client will aim to give at least one month’s notice about the termination of the therapeutic relationship, so there is time to plan an ending and discuss the work we have completed. There may be occasions when this is not possible, and the work will end immediately.