Terms and Conditions
Please read these terms and conditions which apply to the provision of my professional services. 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 or continue with your course of hypnotherapy.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
You may 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 discuss your specific issue and clarify what you can expect from a hypnotherapy session. 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
Sessions will be booked after meeting with me for a Free Consultation. Full payment (unless otherwise discussed) is payable immediately upon scheduling your first session.
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 24 hours prior to a session.
Refunds
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 sessions that have been attended or are included in a program.
Purchases of audio recordings or courses are non-refundable.
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 in full upon booking with me in your Free Consultation. For single sessions, and if agreed upon in advance, payment may be made via e-transfer to the email address provided on your invoice. Cash and cheques will not be accepted without prior agreement.
CONTACT BETWEEN SESSIONS
For the 3-Month Transformation Program, you may contact me via the decided method of communication from your Intake Form for the three months following your first payment. You are welcome to send messages/voice notes at any time and I will respond within 1 business day of receipt.
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 must provide a signed Guardian Consent Form.
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 while 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:
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Where you give permission for confidentiality to be broken
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Where I am compelled by a court of law
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Where the information is of a nature that confidentiality cannot be maintained, for example:
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The possibility of harm to yourself or others exists
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In cases of fraud or crime
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When minors (under 18 years old) are involved
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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 Michelle Duncan 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 Michelle Duncan. In addition, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Michelle Duncan 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 Canada. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Canadian 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 familiarize 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 Starbright Mind's Privacy Policy. 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 (Michelle Duncan) in the first instance and I will endeavour to resolve the issue.
STATEMENTS OF UNDERSTANDING
I understand that results may vary from person to person and the agreement by Michelle Duncan to work on the issues or problems presented by me, using whatever therapies are appropriate to my situation, in no way implies or guarantees the resolution of any presenting problems or issues.
I understand that hypnotherapy or any other therapy or information provided by Michelle Duncan either in person or via telephone, email or internet, is not a replacement or substitute for medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment. If I have any doubts or concerns about my health, I will seek advice from an appropriate qualified healthcare professional.
I declare that, if advised by Michelle Duncan prior to or following any therapy sessions, to seek medical approval, I will consult with my GP, hospital consultant and/or other healthcare professional and gain the appropriate written approval for Michelle Duncan prior to the next therapy session.
I have been advised that I am free to terminate any or all sessions at any time.
I understand that my level of motivation is vital in the therapy process and I agree to participate to the best of my ability at all times, including making reasonable use of therapeutic suggestions during and between sessions, as well as listening to MP3 recordings and/or carrying out other therapeutic tasks as appropriate.
I have accurately and truthfully answered any questions and provided background information during the initial consultation and /or first therapy session and will continue to do so during any subsequent therapy sessions.
I consent that Michelle Duncan may release information to a specific individual or agency if it has been determined that a vulnerable person (child or elder) is at risk; if I, as a client, am in imminent danger to myself or others; or if a subpoena of records has been requested.
I also understand that, at any time, Michelle Duncan may discuss aspects of my case with other colleagues keeping my full name and identity completely confidential always unless I have given permission otherwise.