Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Changing-Futures therapy, all of the therapists on the website are accredited Cognitive Analytic Therapists, and members of the Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy.
We all work to the ACAT guidelines, and the Ethical Framework for Therapists. The information for these can be found on the ACAT website.
Contract Information for therapy services
The following is a contract between your therapist, and you for therapeutic work. It provides you with an understanding of how your therapist works so you are fully informed.
​
Your therapist is an independent therapist and is not employed by Changing-Futures other than on a self employed basis, as a provider of therapeutic services.
Assessment
At the assessment we will explore the issues that you sought therapy for. During the assessment we will attempt to get a clear understanding of matters which are important to you so that we can formulate your difficulties and find a focus for therapy.
The assessment sessions allow you the chance to see if we can create a shared understanding of your difficulties, in a manner which feels purposeful to you. You are not obliged to complete the assessment or embark on further sessions after the assessment period. As your therapist has a duty of care, if she/he thinks that you would be better helped by seeing a therapist with a different speciality, then they may offer you the opportunity to be referred to another practitioner.
If you have any concerns about the process of therapy, we would encourage you to discuss these with your therapist.
Regularity of Sessions
Once you have agreed to therapy, your therapist will reserve a weekly time slot of 50 minutes for you. This is so that we can set aside the same time to you each week for us to be committed to engaging and discussing areas of your life which are of concern to you.
Cancellation Policy and Planned Breaks
As your sessions will take place on the same day and time each week, these times will be reserved on an ongoing basis. If you cannot attend in person you have the option of taking your session online or by telephone. You can cancel any session provided you give 48 hours notice, however in cancelling a session you may lose your ongoing slot.
​
Any cancellations within 48 hours, changes to the appointment or non attendance will be charged at the full fee. This cancellation fee applies to holidays, work commitments, illness and other emergencies, where 48 hours notice has not been given.
​
Please discuss with your therapist in session any future holidays or absences or ending of therapy. Please advise us of any foreseeable difficulties in attending, if possible your therapist may be able to accommodate your needs with an alternative slot.
How To Contact Your Therapist Outside of Session Time
It is advisable to discuss with your therapist any concerns you have in your therapy session. In circumstances of changing or cancelling appointments you can either contact your therapist direct or via admin@changing-futures.com
​
Your therapist or admin will attempt to respond to any non-risk concerns or questions within 48 hours unless on planned leave.
What Is Online Therapy?
Online therapy provides an opportunity to explore a personal difficulty in a confidential and supportive environment. This may include expressing feelings that are painful, and which many of us experience at certain times in our lives. When this happens, it can be difficult to stay positive and cope with everyday life. Online therapy gives you the opportunity to access therapeutic support at a time and in a place, which is convenient to you.
Online therapy can provide support for a broad range of personal difficulties, but there are occasions where it would not be considered suitable, for example where a client is at risk. If this applies for you either when applying for support, or during ongoing sessions we will offer information of alternative sources of support, which you can make contact with and request support from.
Online therapy may be able to help with a very wide range of issues including, anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, relationship problems, bereavement, self-esteem, sexual orientation, sexual abuse, discrimination, and many more. With online therapy, it is different from therapy in a room. It is easy for misunderstandings to happen due to lack of tone of voice or facial expression. It is important to feel comfortable to ask for clarification if we are unsure of something we say. In this way we can avoid misunderstandings in the therapeutic work.
Not all types of issues can be resolved through online therapy, we will advise you if face to face therapy, or some other form of support might be more suitable for you. Where we consider that online therapy would not be the most suitable means of support, we will make every effort to assist you in a referral to a suitable alternative source of support.
How Does Online Therapy Work?
We will agree an "appointment time”, a time to meet. At least 24 hours before the appointment you will be sent a zoom link by either email or text.
If for any reason we experience technical issues during a ‘real time’ appointment I will try to re-connect with you, but if this is not possible, we will make contact via the agreed alternative, such as by phone or email.
Payment
When booking online if your appointment is for an assessment or therapy session with Amanda Copeland (owner of Changing-Futures therapy) you will be asked to pay through the platform. If your session is with one of the other therapists or clinicians you will pay them direct, and they will advise you when they make contact of the preferred arrangements for this.
Therapist Absences
Your therapist will give you as much notice as possible of planned holidays and absences. You will not be charged for these absences.
Arrival & Late Attendance
Please arrive at the exact time, we regret that your therapist cannot make up time if you are late.
Safety
In order to ensure that the therapeutic process can be maximised, please do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. If your therapist has reason to believe this is the case they may draw the session to a close/not commence a session.
We recognise that the process of therapy may generate strong emotions which we will endeavour to work through together. In rare circumstances where your therapist has a concern that such emotions have escalated to the point where they are not, in your therapists opinion, containable in the room, we will draw the session to a close early.
Concerns regarding your safety/the safety of others including your therapist, may require us to inform other agencies, please refer to Section: 'Confidentiality'.
Your therapist does not offer emergency support as cannot guarantee their availability to you. If you are in danger in any way please contact emergency services (A&E, police) your GP or the Samaritans and then discuss with your therapist in the next session.
Ending Therapy
Therapy is not a magic ‘cure’ and you will be expected to share responsibility for your progress. We encourage you to discuss how you are finding therapy. If you think therapy has lost meaning, or focus, if you are not feeling any benefits, please discuss this with your therapist. It can be beneficial to work through these challenges.
​
However, if either you or your therapist think it's time to end the therapy then a discussion should take place which would include how best to end the therapeutic relationship. If you decide to terminate your therapy sessions give your therapist as much notice as possible so we can work towards a healthy ending.
If for some reason your therapist has to discontinue therapy and you choose to be referred to another therapist, within Changing-Futures, then your therapist will respect that decision. Your therapist will remain responsible for your full records, until such a time as they require secure disposal (in accordance with the requirements of therapists professional body and prevailing leglislation.)
Confidentiality
All sessions are conditionally confidential. However, therapists are under legal obligation to:
​
Inform appropriate agencies if they perceive you to be a danger to yourself or others
Share information of required to do so under a court order by law
Disclose information if required to do so for the prevention, detection or prosecution of a crime
​
These situations happen very rarely and normally your therapist would inform you if they have to act in this way.
​
By signing this agreement and/or continuing with the therapy sessions you give permission for your therapist to hold your assessment information and any other information provided in the course of your work together. Your therapist will, of course maintain this in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act, 1983 (as amended), clinical governance audit standards, requirements of professional body and any other relevant legislation.
​
By signing this agreement and/or continuing therapy you are also giving permission for Changing-Futures Platform to hold such information as is required to service our working arrangement, this includes but is not limited to data stored in paper form and/or electronically, processing your personal data including but not limited to contact details, bank details, accident forms; processing your sensitive data, including but not limited to, data in respect of your racial or ethnic origin and your physical and mental health; and to transfer your personal data and/or sensitive data outside the European Economic Area.
​
Your therapist is required to participate in supervision as part of their commitment to good practice and the duty of confidentiality extends to their supervisors. Any notes taken in supervision are confidential and full names are not used.
Confidentiality, Security & Data Protection
The content of your emails or online appointments will not be communicated with a third party except for the purposes of supervision of therapists work. In this instance, your identity will not be revealed, and the presenting issues are discussed in a general context, to help ensure we are working ethically and safely with clients.
At the end of our therapy agreement copies of our exchanges will be stored securely offline for a period of 7 years and then destroyed by shredding after this time. The procedures in this document have been compiled in relation to GDPR (General Data Privacy Regulations) from May 26th 2018 onwards.
Extra Work Undertaken
If you want your therapist to write any reports or letters on your behalf, their time in preparing such reports will be charged at their hourly rate. Please let your therapist know in advance if you are seeking a professional letter of any kind or are seeking therapy as part of a legal claim.
Contract
The contract is not with Changing-Futures Platform. Changing-Futures Platform does not accept any liability arising from the advice and treatment provided by your therapist.
Insurance
Your therapist is required as an independent practitioner to hold professional indemnity insurance.
Complaints
It is natural at times to experience feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction about the process of therapy; these should be discussed with your therapist as discussed previously ('Ending Therapy Section')
Should you have a complaint about your therapist which either has not been resolved to your satisfaction, or which you believe is so serious you wish to escalate it directly to your therapists professional body, then you may contact them.
Complaints about the booking system, website or app should be directed to Changing-Futures Platform. They are not able to address issues about your relationship with your therapist or their conduct, and should you approach them they will advise you to either speak to your therapist direct or contact their professional body.
Please put complaints concerning technical matters to Changing-Futures Platform in writing giving as much detail as possible. Complaints can be emailed to admin@changing-futures.com or sent by post to Amanda Copeland, Changing-Futures, Brighton Therapy Rooms, 9a Princes Street, Brighton. Changing-Futures Platform will endeavour to resolve your concern and will respond within 10 days.
Acceptance of Terms
By booking a session through the Changing-Futures platform, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms and Conditions and agree to all terms.
​Contract for Nature. Nurture. Rewild Events
The following is a contract between the Nature. Nurture. Rewild team and yourself for services provided at our one day events.
​
The day consists of the following activities: walking, yoga, and the possibility of a paddle in the sea.
Participation in these activities is at your own risk, and we would encourage you to discuss with the team any concerns you may have about participating in the activities before the day. The route for our planned walk has been subject to a risk assessment which we can share with you before the event if you would like to see a copy. Some of the route has a path, some areas are just grass, and if the weather has been wet the grass is likely to be muddy.
​
When we arrive at the beach you may wish to swim or paddle, and if so this is at your own risk. We are not trained life guards and can not offer specific advice about your safety in the water, if you have any doubts on the day about your swimming ability or the sea conditions we would encourage you to exercise caution and to refrain from entering the water.
Some areas of the beach are also rocky and so we would suggest footwear designed for the sea/beach so that you do not injure yourself. We do not have any sea safety equipment and so if this is required please bring yourself.
​
We have a base for the day at the village hall belongings left there whilst we are walking, or at the beach are left at your own risk.
We would advise you to carry any valuables on your person at all times. There is no designated car parking area for the day and any cars left in the village are done so at your own risk.
​
Our food is all home cooked and will be stored appropriately in fridges at the Hall. Before eating the food will be thoroughly reheated. We provide tea and coffee and also a light lunch.
​
Cancellation Policy
Refunds can be issued if ticket cancelled up to one week before the event
​
Covid 19 Risk Assessment
In advance of our event please complete a lateral flow test.
​
Please DO NOT ATTEND the event if you have any of the following :
Raised temperature
Persistent cough
Loss of taste or smell
​
Whilst on the premises we will ensure surfaces have all been sanitised.
There will be anti-bacterial wipes for your use, and toilet facilities.
All surfaces will be kept clean and sanitised including surfaces. If you touch a surface please use a wipe to sanitise it after.
Whilst in the hall a window will be open where possible.
​
Thank you for your co-operation
​
Confidentiality, Security & Data Protection
​
Privacy Policy
Any personal data provided by you to the NNR team through any means (verbal, written, in electronic form, or by your use of our website) will be held and processed in accordance with the data protection principles set out in the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 for the purposes for which you have given consent, to provide the services you have requested from us, and to meet the legitimate interests of our business.
​
This policy only applies to data collected by us, and via our own forms and website. Third party agents, and websites which are linked to ours, are not covered by this policy.
​
When you request therapy with us, or attend one of our events or otherwise provide your personal details to us, you will be asked to consent to our processing of your data under the terms of this policy. Changing-Futures may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. If we make any substantial changes we will notify you by posting a prominent announcement on our website.
​
What information do we collect?
Service requests– You can contact us online, by email or telephone. At that stage you will need to provide us with your name, telephone number(s) and email address. We may also request information on your availability, therapeutic issues, and other details which we deem relevant to processing your request.
​
Communication with you – For email correspondence with you we use encrypted email from password protected computers. Text messaging is done from password protected mobiles; your contact details on our mobiles are limited to initials and your phone number.
What do we use your information for?
We use information held about you in the following ways:
-
To provide you with the professional service requested from us.
-
To offer suitable appointments.
-
To notify you about changes to your appointments and other changes to our services.
-
To seek feedback from you on your experience of therapy with us.
-
To improve our service to ensure that it is provided in the most effective manner for you and for us.
What information do we share?
We will not share any information about you with other organisations or people, except in the following situations:
Consent – We may share your information with professional carers or others whom you have requested or agreed we should contact.
Serious harm – We may share your information with the relevant authorities if we have reason to believe that this may prevent serious harm being caused to you or another person.
Compliance with law – We may share your information where we are required to by law or by the regulations and other rules to which we are subject.
How do we keep your information safe?
​
All information you provide to us is stored as securely as possible. All paper forms and correspondence are kept under lock and key. All electronic records are stored on our own computer(s), all access to which requires password-protected authentication. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your information using industry-standard protocols and encryption, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to us via email, including forms completed on our website which are transmitted by email; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.
​
Your identifiable personal information is kept separately from any session notes and other descriptive material. Client notes and other documentation are destroyed three years after the end of counselling. Personal contact details are destroyed/deleted after six years of no contact or updates.
​
Your rights
You have the right to ask us to provide a copy of the information held by us in our records. You also have the right to require us to correct any inaccuracies in your information.
If you would like to see the information that we have about you, please speak first to your therapist. They will be able to tell you more about what is in your file and why. This is often more helpful than simply seeing the notes. After that, if you would still like to go ahead, we would need 30 days’ notice.
When contacting us about the information held by us about you via the contact form on our website, we will require ID identification to release the information to you.
​
You may withdraw your consent for us to hold and process your data at any time. However, if you do this while actively receiving therapy with us, your therapy would have to end. You can withdraw your consent by contacting us directly.
​
I have read and understood this privacy policy. Purchase of a ticket would indicate consent to this process.
​
​
​
.