Therapy Agreement & Terms of Service
This agreement sets out the terms of therapeutic work between you (the client) and Rachel Bernard of The Nest Hypnotherapy. It explains how therapy is delivered, managed, and paid for so that you are fully informed before beginning.
Attendance at assessment or therapy sessions confirms that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms below.
1. Nature of Therapy
I practise Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH), a structured, goal-focused approach combining cognitive and behavioural strategies with hypnosis.
Therapy is collaborative and requires active participation. Progress is supported through:
Engagement during sessions
Willingness to practise agreed strategies between sessions
Honest communication
Therapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. If you are under the care of a GP, psychiatrist, or other healthcare professional, it is your responsibility to inform them that you are undertaking therapy.
While I will always work professionally and in good faith, no guarantees can be made regarding outcomes, as results vary between individuals.
2. Fees and Payment
The standard fee for individual therapy sessions is £70 per 60-minute session unless otherwise agreed in writing.
All sessions and block bookings are invoiced in advance. Payment must be received before the scheduled appointment to confirm and secure the session.
Where a block of sessions is purchased, the full block fee is payable in advance unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed.
Four-session blocks must be used within three months of the date of purchase unless otherwise agreed in writing.
If therapy is discontinued before all sessions in a block have been used, unused sessions will be refunded. Sessions already attended will be charged at the full standard single-session rate, and the remaining balance will be refunded accordingly.
Block bookings are allocated to the named client and are not transferable without prior written agreement.
Sessions that have taken place are non-refundable.
If payment is not received by the stated due date on the invoice, the appointment may be cancelled or postponed until payment has been made.
Any future fee changes will be communicated in advance and will not affect sessions already paid for.
3. Cancellation Policy
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, will be charged at the full session fee.
This policy applies to all sessions, including those within block bookings.
Please discuss planned holidays or breaks in advance.
4. Therapist Absence
If I need to cancel due to illness, emergency, or holiday, I will provide as much notice as possible. You will not be charged for sessions cancelled by me.
5. Confidentiality
All information shared in therapy is treated as confidential and stored securely in accordance with data protection law.
Confidentiality may be broken only where:
There is a legal obligation (e.g. court order)
There is reason to believe that you or another person may be at serious risk of harm
Safeguarding legislation requires disclosure
Where possible, I will aim to discuss any necessary disclosure with you first.
I undertake regular professional supervision in line with ethical standards. Any client material discussed in supervision is anonymised.
6. Working with Children and Young People (Under 18)
Therapy for clients under 18 requires informed consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Sessions may include time where the young person speaks privately with me. Confidentiality will be respected in line with professional standards.
Information will be shared with parents or guardians only:
With the young person’s agreement
If there is a safeguarding concern
If there is risk of harm to the young person or others
In such circumstances, appropriate action will be taken and parents or guardians will be informed.
7. Online Therapy
Where therapy is conducted online:
You are responsible for ensuring privacy and that you are in a confidential space.
If the connection fails, we will attempt to reconnect. If this is not possible, we will reschedule or agree an alternative arrangement.
Sessions must not be recorded without prior written consent.
Therapy is provided under the jurisdiction of the laws of England and Wales.
8. Contact Between Sessions
Reasonable contact between sessions may take place for scheduling or brief practical matters.
Therapeutic work itself takes place within sessions.
I aim to respond to non-urgent messages within two working days. Messages are not monitored continuously, and I do not provide crisis or emergency support.
If you are in immediate danger or require urgent support, please contact your GP, NHS 111, 999, or your local emergency services.
9. Safety and Conduct
Sessions must not be attended under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. If I believe a client is intoxicated, I reserve the right to end or not commence the session.
Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour will result in termination of the session without refund.
10. Digital Resources and Recordings
Any hypnosis recordings or digital materials provided are for personal use only.
They must not be copied, shared, distributed, published, or resold without written permission. Copyright remains with The Nest Hypnotherapy.
11. Ending Therapy
Therapy may be ended by either party at any time.
If I believe that therapy is no longer clinically appropriate, beneficial, or safe to continue, I reserve the right to end the therapeutic relationship. Where possible, I will discuss this with you and, if appropriate, suggest alternative sources of support.
Any outstanding fees for sessions already provided remain payable.
12. Complaints
If you have concerns about your therapy, you agree to raise them with me in the first instance so that we can attempt to resolve the matter constructively and professionally.
If we are unable to resolve the matter, you may refer your complaint to my professional body:
General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com
Complaints will be handled in accordance with their published procedures.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I shall not be liable for events outside my reasonable control.
Any financial liability arising from therapy services will be limited to the total amount paid by you for services within the previous six months.
Nothing in this agreement limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or where liability cannot legally be excluded.
14. Business Details
Rachel Bernard
The Nest Hypnotherapy
thenesthypnotherapy.co.uk
Email: thenesthypnotherapyclinic@gmail.com