Terms and Conditions
 

Terms and Conditions for Private Therapy

Professionalism and Ethical Practice

I am a Clinical Psychologist chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). I abide by the Codes of Practice of these organisations. 

Confidentiality

The existence and the content of our meetings are treated as confidential, with some notable exceptions. The main exception to this is that, from time to time, I discuss the content of sessions with professional colleagues as a means of supervision.  This is within professional confidential relationships in which care is taken to withhold or disguise identifying details.    

The other possible exceptions to confidentiality are:

1.  That to withhold information could result in harm to yourself, your child or others.

2.  That we are required to do so by a court of law.  

Records

Any written notes are securely kept and are confidential. I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and all records are kept to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please think carefully about transmitting informtion that is sensitive and/or confidential, and include in a password protected document where necessary.

Duration and termination

At the initial assessment, I will discuss with you how many sessions may be required and I will commit to seeing you for this number of sessions.  You may, of course, finish seeing me at any time. I ask that you give us a session’s notice of your decision to stop as it is better to plan the ending in advance if at all possible.

Cancellations

If you wish to change the time of a session, please let me know at least 48 hours in advance and I will do my best to find an alternative slot. If you fail to give me less than 48 hours’ (weekdays) notice, I will need to charge you for the session because I will not be able to meet anyone else during that time and will need to cover costs.

If I am unable to conduct the session, I will give you as much notice as I am able.  I will only cancel at short notice (less than 48 hours) because of unforeseen circumstances such as ill health.  

Payment of fees

I am a specialist health provider for numerous health insurers including BUPA, Cigna, and Vitality.  Please confirm with your health insurer prior to the initial assessment that they are willing to cover the cost of the session; you may need to seek further authorisation after the assessment for payment of subsequent therapy/treatment sessions.  

From time to time, health insurers ask for a brief clinical report or update of our input in order to consider funding of additional sessions. I am happy to provide this, if you instruct me to do so, at no extra cost.  

I will invoice you or the insurance company directly, and payment can be made by bank transfer if you are paying directly. I will write to you 45 days after non-payment of an invoice, and again at 60 days.  At this point, a debt collection agency will be instructed to collect payment if it is not made within 7 days.

Da Costa Child and Adolescent Psychology