TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THERAPEUTIC AGREEMENT
BASIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This therapeutic agreement is between you (the Client) and Michelle Ede (Practitioner), operating under ME Mental Health Exploration and Michelle Ede Women Empowered.
This agreement complies with GDPR legislation (2018). By commencing therapy, you agree to the following terms and conditions.
All new Clients are required to read and confirm acceptance of this agreement. Confirmation can be provided in writing via email. If written confirmation is not provided, attendance at sessions will be taken as acceptance of these terms. If you do not agree, you must notify the Practitioner in writing.
Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at the full rate.
Payment is required prior to sessions via BACS. Please use your session date as a reference where possible. Failure to pay may result in loss of the session.
Confidentiality and data are handled in line with GDPR. Personal information is stored securely.
Contact outside sessions is primarily for scheduling. This service is not a crisis service. If you require urgent support, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services (999).
1. PRIVACY POLICY
Michelle Ede is committed to protecting your personal information and handling it in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. A separate Privacy Policy explains how your personal data is collected, used, stored, retained and, where necessary, shared. By engaging in services, you acknowledge that you have been provided with, or have had the opportunity to read, the Privacy Policy and understand how your personal information will be processed.
2. FORMATION OF AGREEMENT
2.1 By booking an appointment, you agree to these terms and consent to contact via email or SMS unless otherwise stated in writing.
2.2 Appointments are arranged via email or telephone. Confirmation will be sent via email or SMS.
2.3 The Client agrees to engage honestly and in good faith.
2.4 The Client may be asked to complete questionnaires or written reflections where appropriate.
2.5 Lateness: Sessions will begin and end at the agreed time. Late arrival will not extend the session.
2.6 No refunds are given for missed time due to lateness.
2.7 Sessions will end at the agreed time regardless of progress.
2.8 The Practitioner will provide services with reasonable care and professional skill. However, outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
2.9 The Client acknowledges responsibility for their own engagement and progress.
3. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
The Practitioner offers trauma-informed support, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).
EMDR is an evidence-based approach that supports the processing of traumatic experiences and reduces their emotional impact. As with all therapeutic approaches, results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
4.1 Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
4.2 Cancellations within this timeframe will not be charged.
4.3 Late cancellations (under 48 hours) are charged in full.
4.4 Rescheduled sessions within the notice period may be transferred.
4.5 Short-notice bookings are subject to the same terms.
5. REFUNDS
5.1 Sessions must be paid in advance. No refunds are given for late cancellations or missed appointments.
5.2 Missed sessions cannot be reclaimed.
5.3 The Practitioner will attempt to reschedule where possible but cannot guarantee availability.
5.4 Sessions may only be ended early by the Practitioner if necessary for safety or wellbeing reasons.
5.5 Therapy duration is an estimate and may vary.
5.6 The Practitioner reserves the right to end sessions if it is not in the Client’s best interest.
5.7 Sessions may be terminated without refund if there is risk, threat, or abusive behaviour.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY
6.1 The Practitioner follows professional ethical guidelines.
6.2 All information shared is confidential unless disclosure is required by law.
6.3 Confidentiality may be broken if there is risk of harm to:
6.4 Wherever possible, this will be discussed with the Client.
6.5 The Practitioner engages in clinical supervision. No identifiable information is shared.
6.6 All materials remain the Practitioner’s intellectual property.
6.7 Clients may not record sessions without written consent.
7. DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)
Michelle Ede is committed to protecting your personal information and processing it in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data is collected only where necessary to provide services, manage appointments, meet professional obligations, or comply with legal requirements. Full details of how personal information is collected, used, stored, retained and shared are set out in the separate Privacy Policy, which is available on the website and provided to clients before services commence.
Client records are securely stored and are generally retained for seven years following the end of services, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and professional obligations, after which they are securely destroyed unless a longer retention period is required by law.
8. CLIENT RIGHTS
Under applicable data protection legislation, you have rights in relation to your personal information, including the right to request access to your personal data, request corrections where information is inaccurate, and exercise other rights available under UK data protection law where applicable. Details of these rights and how to make a request are explained in the Privacy Policy.
9. STARTING, REVIEWING AND ENDING THERAPY
9.1 Progress will be reviewed regularly.
9.2 You may end therapy with 48 hours’ notice.
9.3 The Practitioner may end therapy if needs fall outside their scope, with appropriate discussion.
9.4 Therapy may be declined or ended if necessary.
9.5 Attendance at sessions indicates acceptance of this agreement.
INFORMED CONSENT
By proceeding with services, you confirm that you have read, or have had the opportunity to read, these Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy.
Signature:____________________________
Full Name: ____________________________
Confidentiality Outside of Sessions
To protect your privacy and confidentiality, Michelle Ede will not normally acknowledge or approach you if we happen to meet in a public place or outside of our professional sessions. This is to avoid inadvertently revealing that you are receiving services.
If you choose to acknowledge or greet Michelle Ede first, your greeting will be responded to courteously and appropriately. However, the decision to initiate any interaction in public will always remain yours.
Mental Health Exploration