1. Introduction

1.1 Explanation of Services Offered

• Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice offers services to address a variety of emotional and physical symptoms. A variety of approaches may be used including Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mindfulness amongst other therapeutic techniques. These services may include but are not limited to Pain Management including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraine Management, Stopping Unwanted Habits, Fears and phobias, Insomnia, Psychosomatic or Stress-Related Illnesses, Stress Management, Anxiety Reduction, Smoking Cessation, Weight Management, and Confidence Building.

1.2 Acceptance of Terms

• By engaging the services of the Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice, the client acknowledges and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions outlined herein. Failure to adhere to these terms may result in termination of services.

• By engaging in the services of the Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice, the client understands that hypnotherapy or any other therapy provided by Claire Wells Therapy & Coaching Practice is not a replacement for medical treatment, psychological or psychiatric services. The client also understands that Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice does not treat, prescribe for or diagnose any medical or mental health condition. 

 

2. Client Eligibility

2.1 Age Requirement

• Clients must be at least 16 years of age to engage in the therapy services with Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice. 

2.2 Mental Health Status

• For most people, hypnotherapy is a pleasant, gentle and extremely safe experience. However, your safety is my number one concern and there are occasions where hypnosis would be contraindicated. That means there may be a risk.

• I will not work with you if you have a diagnosis of:

• Psychosis

• Schizophrenia

• Pathological Personality Disorder

• Unstable dissociative clients

• Severe Dementia

• Severe comprehension difficulties or impaired cognitive function

• Epilepsy

• Narcolepsy

 

• I will not work with you if you are under the influence of mind-altering drugs or alcohol, the session will be suspended and the full fee charged. Further sessions will be at the therapist’s discretion and may be cancelled permanently.

• The therapist reserves the right to assess suitability for therapy on a case-by-case basis. My duty of care is to prioritize the well-being and safety of the client throughout the therapeutic process and therefore I will recommend referral on to specialist services if I think this is in the client’s best interest and outside my scope of practice.

 

2.3 Physical Health Status

• Clients with certain medical conditions, such as bipolar disorder or severe depression, may require medical clearance from a healthcare professional before undertaking hypnotherapy. If hypnotherapy was indicated, then therapeutic intervention would be undertaken as part of a multi-disciplinary physician-led approach.

• I may be able to work with you if you have certain physical illnesses or conditions, for example, chronic pain, IBS, migraine, asthma or a heart condition, but would require your doctor’s approval prior to booking.

 

3. Services

3.1 Description of Services Offered

• Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice offers individual sessions tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client. Sessions typically involve a combination of therapeutic interventions including Hypnotherapeutic techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming interventions, Mindfulness and relaxation exercises.

 

1. Scope of Practice

• Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice will only provide services within their scope of practice and professional competence. Referrals to appropriate specialists may be made if the client's needs fall outside the therapist's expertise.

• Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice does not offer an emergency response service and only operates within the hours of opening. If clients require an emergency service, they should either attend A&E or call 999 if their life is at risk or 111 if medical help is needed fast, but not an emergency. The NHS Mental Health Response Line is free and can be contacted 24/7: 0800 0385300. This is available for the person in need or to support others who are concerned for someone else’s mental health. The Samaritans are also available 24/7 on 116 123. SHOUT offer a 24/7 text message support service on 85258 for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere and who need immediate help.

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4. Client Responsibilities
 

4.1 Full Disclosure of Medical History & Contraindications

• Clients are required to provide accurate and complete information regarding their medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, medications, or treatments. This information is essential for ensuring safe and effective hypnotherapy. While hypnotherapy is considered a safe therapeutic approach for most people, there are a small number of situations in which it may not be appropriate or may require additional medical guidance. Contra-indications include: active psychosis, schizophrenia or other severe dissociative or psychotic disorders, severe or unstable heart conditions, a history of uncontrolled epilepsy or seizures, significant cognitive impairment that affects the ability to give informed consent, acute intoxication from alcohol or drugs and any medical or psychiatric condition that is currently unstable or not being appropriately managed by a healthcare professional. If any of these apply to you or if you are unsure, it is important to discuss this with me before beginning therapy, as I may ask for consent to liaise with your GP or consultant to ensure your safety and suitability for treatment.

4.2 Commitment to Therapy

• Hypnotherapy achieves the best results when clients engage with the therapy process. It is a collaborative process between the therapist and the client, where goals will be set collaboratively. I will do my best to effect positive change for them, but the client is also expected to put their best efforts in too, to ensure that they make progress.  The Client agrees to follow the therapist's instructions and recommendations for maximizing the benefits of hypnotherapy. Failure to comply may impact progress

4.3 Online Sessions

• When working remotely via Zoom, it is important that clients check their space is safe and that there are no interruptions that could stop them from benefiting from the therapy or coaching. This does not mean that it needs to be silent but it’s important that clients are comfortable that they won’t be interrupted and that they are happy that the session won’t be overheard if they don’t want it to be. 

• Clients also need to ensure that their internet reception is stable, to avoid loss of connection.

• Clients can keep phones with them but silenced prior to attending their appointment

• If for some reason the connection fails during a session and the client is enjoying a hypnotic experience, after 3 minutes of silence, the client can emerge themselves from this experience and can call me

4.4 Payment Obligations

• Clients are responsible for paying the fees associated with hypnotherapy services as outlined in the fee structure provided by the practice. Payment is due at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. 

 

4.5 Electronic Downloads

• The client understands and agrees that any downloadable product or mp3 recording has been made specifically for them by Claire Wells Therapy & Coaching Practice. The client agrees that any such recording is for their own personal use and that it is not to be lent, copied or sold under any circumstances.

5. Therapist Responsibilities

5.1 Professional Conduct

• The therapist agrees to always conduct themselves professionally and ethically, adhering to the standards and guidelines of a professional body, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH). Full guidelines can be found on their website: https://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/about-nch/code-of-ethics/

 

5.2 Duty of Care

• The therapist has a duty of care to prioritize the well-being and safety of the client throughout the therapeutic process. This includes providing appropriate interventions, monitoring progress, and addressing any concerns or complications that may arise.

5.3 Confidentiality

• The therapist will maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information disclosed during sessions, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). (See (10) for more details on GDPR). Confidentiality will only be breached in exceptional circumstances where there is a risk of harm to the client or others. I am obligated by law to inform the relevant authorities. This is to support you to live well and I would always aim to discuss this with you prior to contacting anyone. If I was issued with a police warrant or required by a court of law for your information, then I would also have to provide them with your information.

• See Privacy Policy on the website and (9) in this document for more details.

6. Appointment Scheduling

6.1 Procedure for Booking Appointments

• Clients can schedule appointments by contacting the practice via phone, email, or online booking system. Appointment availability may vary based on the therapist's schedule.

6.2 Cancellation Policy

• Please give as much notice as possible for the cancellation. Claire Wells runs a 48-hour cancellation policy for all hypnotherapy appointments. For cancellations with less that 48 hours’ notice, the full fee will be payable or it will be deducted from the total number of sessions in a therapy package. All timely cancellations are eligible to be utilised at a later time. Life can throw curveballs from time-to-time and therefore some leniency and flexibility may be applied on a case-by-case basis.

• If you arrive for treatment under influence of mind-altering drugs or alcohol, the session will be suspended and the full fee charged. Further sessions will be at the therapist’s discretion and may be cancelled permanently.

• Claire Wells reserves the right to cancel therapy at any time and to refuse prospective clients at my own discretion.

6.3 Late Arrival Policy

• Clients are encouraged to arrive on time for scheduled appointments to ensure the full duration of the session can be utilized. If you are late for an appointment, it will still need to finish by the allotted time. No adjustment to fees will be made.

7. Fees and Payments

7.1 Fee Structure

• Hypnotherapy appointments with Claire Wells can be booked to suit clients’ needs:

Initial Consultation (Approximately 1.5 hrs, but set aside 2 hrs): £180 

Follow-Up Consultation (Approximately 45-60 mins): £110

Package of 4 (Incl Initial Consultation & 3 Follow-ups): £480

Package of 6 (Incl Initial Consultation & 5 Follow-ups): £660

Self-Hypnosis Group (4Hrs in person, in Amersham): £147 

 

Weight Management Packages:

• Gold Package: Weight Management Group (5 sessions): £195

• Platinum Package: 1:1 Weight Management Support over 12 weeks (6 appointments, including hypnosis recordings to listen to between sessions, email support & check-ins): £660

• Diamond Package: 1:1 Weight Management Support over a year (8x 1:1 fortnightly sessions over 16 weeks, including hypnosis recordings to listen to & between-session video call check-ins; followed by 8x fortnightly accountability sessions, in turn followed by 4x monthly accountability sessions): £1500

 

Payment will be made at the time of booking. 

The fees will also be confirmed in a confirmation booking e-mail. The first session will be around an hour and a half long, although I ask people to set aside 2 hours, in case it is more beneficial for you to have more time. Follow-up sessions will be approximately an hour long. Any additional services provided will be charged at an hourly rate of £110, unless otherwise agreed.

• Fees may change at any time, but these changes will not affect confirmed bookings. They will be updated on the website and will be legally binding for future bookings.

7.2 Payment Methods

• Payments can be made by card, or via bank transfer as part of the booking process. This can either be in full payment in advance or spread across a couple of payments. Receipts will be provided for all transactions upon request.

7.3 Refund Policy

• Refunds will only be provided in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the therapist. Any requests for refunds must be submitted in writing and will be subject to review on a case-by-case basis.

• If I think you would benefit from being referred to another therapist or specialist, we will agree to make the referral as soon as possible. Any remaining sessions will be refunded pro rata.

 

8. Confidentiality

8.1 Client Confidentiality

• All information shared by the client during hypnotherapy sessions will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. To ensure that I am providing the optimal service to my clients, I engage in regular supervision, which means your case will be discussed either individually or within a confidential group supervision session with a qualified supervisor. This is a requirement of my professional body, the CNHC. During these discussions, I do not disclose any details that may identify you to my supervisor, and the group adheres to the GDPR also. All that takes place in my supervision sessions is treated with respect, discretion and strict confidentiality. Confidential notes to assist with future treatment are kept in your secure personal records. Details will not be disclosed to any third parties without the client's explicit consent, except where required by law.

8.2 Limits of Confidentiality

• The therapist reserves the right to breach confidentiality in situations where there is a risk of harm to the client or others, including instances of self-harm, harm to others or criminal activity.

1. Outside the Therapy Session

• If I were to see you outside of a session, I may smile but will not engage in any further conversation to ensure your confidentiality. You are welcome to share with other people about the therapy you are receiving, but I am obligated by GDPR law to ensure your confidentiality is protected. I would request that to ensure the success of your treatment, you refrain from discussing your treatment with me outside of your sessions.

 

9. Data Protection

9.1 GDPR Compliance

• The practice complies with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) regarding the collection, processing, and storage of client data. The GDPR replaces the 1998 Data Protection Act to ensure your personal and sensitive, confidential data is kept private and held securely, being processed in the way you have agreed to. It is there to protect your rights as a consumer of a service or product that might involve your identifiable data, e.g. your name and address or whether you have a specific condition. It also covers any session records, text messages or emails we exchange. 

• Under the GDPR clients can make a request in writing to the practice, for all their records to be deleted. In this case, all your paper records would be shredded with a shredding machine and any electronic data such as emails or text messages would be permanently deleted from the devices they are stored on. I would have to save the request for deletion you made but would not save any other data. In some circumstances, my insurance company’s legal team may want to verify the information that I send out. Clients have the right to access, rectify, or erase their personal data. More detailed information can be found in the practice's Privacy Policy, which can be accessed via the website.

9.2 Data Collection and Storage

• Client data will be collected and stored securely per GDPR requirements and will only be used for the purposes of providing hypnotherapy services. I collect information about why you are using the service, past and presenting medical history, family history, social history and session notes. This information enables me to deliver a high-quality service to you. Your contact details/address and Doctor’s details will only be used with your explicit written consent. 

• Hard-copy documents: are all stored in a locked cabinet in a secure house. Text messages: my work phone is password protected. Emails: my email account is password protected. Email attachments: any attachments sent by email to you containing your personal information would be password protected and the password would be sent to you via text message. Electronic documents: any electronic documents e.g. a letter to your GP, or an invoice are password-protected and stored on a password-protected computer if they contain personal or sensitive information.

• I am regulated by the CNHC, an organisation that stipulates I must hold data for 8 years after your final session. Unless you are a child, in which case I must hold your data until your 25th birthday, unless you are 17 when treatment ends and then I must keep it until your 26th birthday. Therefore, all records will be deleted in the January after the above retention scales. This is in line with NHS regulations for holding data. Personal data will not be retained for longer than necessary and will be securely disposed of when no longer required.

 

10. Consent to Treatment

10.1 Informed Consent Process

• Prior to commencing therapy services, clients will be provided with information regarding the nature and purpose of the treatment, potential risks and benefits, alternative treatments, and any foreseeable consequences. Clients are required to provide informed consent before proceeding with treatment.

• Physical Contact: Occasionally some interventions require direct touch e.g. lifting a wrist, touching an arm. I will always ask your permission and explain exactly what and where the physical contact will occur prior to every occurrence. You may choose for us to work together entirely without touch; if you would prefer to do so, please let me know at the beginning of the session. If you have any new or old physical injuries, please let me know at the start of the appointment.

10.2 Treatment Risks and Benefits

• Clients acknowledge that while hypnotherapy can be beneficial for many individuals, it may not be suitable for everyone and results may vary.

10.3 Right to Withdraw Consent

• Clients have the right to withdraw their consent for treatment at any time. The therapist will respect the client's decision and discuss alternative options or provide appropriate referrals if necessary.

10.4 Memory Recovery

• On occasion, therapy involves the experience of seeming to recover a past event. It should be noted that any information remembered in this way has as much chance of being false, as it does being based on an actual event. We will keep this kind of work to an absolute minimum. If I feel this approach is indicated, this would be discussed in more depth before and you would be given the chance to consent or refuse.

11. Client Records

11.1 Record-Keeping Practices

• The therapist will maintain accurate and confidential records of each client's hypnotherapy sessions in accordance with professional standards and legal requirements. Client records will include relevant personal information, session notes, treatment plans, and any other pertinent details.

11.2 Access to Client Records

• Clients have the right to request access to their own client records at any time. Requests for access should be made in writing to the therapist, who will respond within a reasonable timeframe and provide copies of the requested records as permitted by law.

 

12. Complaints Procedure

12.1 Procedure for Lodging Complaints

• Clients who wish to complain about any aspect of the hypnotherapy services provided should do so in writing to the therapist, outlining the nature of the complaint and any relevant details.

12.2 Resolution Process

• The therapist will investigate the complaint promptly and impartially, seeking to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Clients will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of the investigation.

 

13. Termination of Services

13.1 Grounds for Termination

• The therapist reserves the right to terminate hypnotherapy services for reasons including but not limited to non-compliance with treatment recommendations, failure to adhere to the terms and conditions outlined herein, or behaviour that is deemed harmful or disruptive to the therapeutic process.

13.2 Notice Period

• In the event of termination of services by either party, reasonable notice will be provided to allow for the conclusion of ongoing treatment and the transition to alternative care arrangements where necessary.

 

14. Legal Disclaimer

14.1 Limitation of Liability

• The therapist shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the provision of hypnotherapy services, except where such liability cannot be excluded or limited by law.

14.2 Jurisdiction

• These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

 

15. Amendments

15.1 Right to Amend Terms

• The hypnotherapy practice reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Clients will be notified of any changes in writing or via email.

15.2 Notification of Changes

• Clients will be given reasonable notice of any amendments to the terms and conditions, and their continued engagement with the practice's services following such notification will constitute acceptance of the revised terms.

16. Entire Agreement

16.1 Document Supersedes Prior Agreements

• These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement between the client and the hypnotherapy practice, superseding any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.

16.2 Severability Clause

• If any provision of these terms and conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by law.

17. Contact Information

17.1 Practice Contact Details

• Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice

• Lavenders, Village Way, Amersham, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, HP7 9PU

• 07349 884105

• claire@clairewells.co.uk

• www.clairewells.co.uk

 

18. Acceptance of Terms

18.1 Client Acknowledgment of Terms

• By engaging the services of Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the terms and conditions outlined herein. The client has also accurately and truthfully provided any personal information as requested by Claire Wells and consent for treatment.

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19. SIGNED CONSENT (in line with the GDPR (2018):

As the processing of clients’ personal data is required to enable me to provide a service, I do not require consent from clients to hold their information securely or to provide them with this service, but will take this opportunity to assure clients that I adhere to all laws and procedures relating to data protection (article 9, Paragraph 2, (h) of the GDPR) and will only use their data to provide them with this service and for any further reason they explicitly consent to below.Please tick and sign at the end of the form to confirm that you consent to contact and for data collection from Claire Wells Hypnotherapy & Coaching Practice for the purposes of: