Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions form a contract between us for therapeutic work. It is important that you read and understand before you agree to proceed with therapy.
Initial Assessment
At the beginning session we will discuss your difficulties and the reasons you are seeking help. This will also be an opportunity for you talk about what your expectations are for therapy and to set clear goals. Generally it will take two to three sessions to complete a thorough assessment and develop a preliminary idea of what factors are important to work on and how to proceed.
Confidentiality
Overall, what is discussed in the sessions is strictly confidential. However, there are some exceptional circumstances under which confidentiality will be breached, even without your permission and they are:
1. If I feel that you are a danger to yourself or to others, or
2. if there is sufficient evidence to raise concern of the health, welfare or safety of children or vulnerable adults.
In these circumstances, you will initially be encouraged to contact an appropriate source of support/help. However, if we feel that you are unable to do so then we will have to make this contact ourselves but we will discuss this with you first before passing any information on to others and explain why we are taking this course of action.
Professional Code of Conduct
We all work to the code of ethics set out by the professional organisations with whom we are registered such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are unsatisfied with our clinical work you are encouraged to raise this with your practitioner directly in the first instance. If you feel this is not possible then you can make a complaint to Dr Joe Lowenstein (Director) using the main email address. Depending on the case, you may also wish to speak to the BPS (http://www.bps.org.uk/what-we-do/bps/submitting-complaint-against-society-member/submitting-complaint-against-society-memb) or the HCPC (http://www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/).
Fees
We currently operate a sliding scale for fees depending on whether you have private health insurance or are self funding. We take payment in full at the end of each session by either cash, cheque (payable to Dr Joe Lowenstein) or bank transfer. Unfortunately we do not have the facilities to accept credit or debit card payments.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to change or cancel an appointment please let me your practitioner know as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made. Cancellations with less than 48 hour’s notice will be charged in full (whatever the reason) as the slot cannot be re-allocated to another individual. Health insurance clients may forfeit a session as a result of cancellations.
Late and Non-Attendance of Sessions
We regret that we cannot make up time if you are late. If you wish to arrive earlier than your appointment time, there is a waiting room at each clinic. If you do not attend two consecutive sessions and you have not contacted your practitioner beforehand to inform them you are unable to attend, we will assume that you no longer wish to continue with therapy and will reallocate your sessions.
Health insurance
Our practitioners are registered with BUPA, AXA PPP, Cigna, PruHealth and Aviva as Approved Practitioners. Please check with them before embarking on sessions to make sure your policy is valid and that your sessions will be covered in full. You will be responsible for payment of all outstanding charges on your account, regardless of the cover you have.
Support Outside of Sessions and Emergencies
Regrettably, we do not offer emergency support because we cannot guarantee my availability to you and hence our contact number should only be used to communicate about appointment times or cancellations. If you feel you are in danger in any way please contact the emergency services, your GP or the Samaritans (08457 90 90 90).
Initial Assessment
At the beginning session we will discuss your difficulties and the reasons you are seeking help. This will also be an opportunity for you talk about what your expectations are for therapy and to set clear goals. Generally it will take two to three sessions to complete a thorough assessment and develop a preliminary idea of what factors are important to work on and how to proceed.
Confidentiality
Overall, what is discussed in the sessions is strictly confidential. However, there are some exceptional circumstances under which confidentiality will be breached, even without your permission and they are:
1. If I feel that you are a danger to yourself or to others, or
2. if there is sufficient evidence to raise concern of the health, welfare or safety of children or vulnerable adults.
In these circumstances, you will initially be encouraged to contact an appropriate source of support/help. However, if we feel that you are unable to do so then we will have to make this contact ourselves but we will discuss this with you first before passing any information on to others and explain why we are taking this course of action.
Professional Code of Conduct
We all work to the code of ethics set out by the professional organisations with whom we are registered such as the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are unsatisfied with our clinical work you are encouraged to raise this with your practitioner directly in the first instance. If you feel this is not possible then you can make a complaint to Dr Joe Lowenstein (Director) using the main email address. Depending on the case, you may also wish to speak to the BPS (http://www.bps.org.uk/what-we-do/bps/submitting-complaint-against-society-member/submitting-complaint-against-society-memb) or the HCPC (http://www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/).
Fees
We currently operate a sliding scale for fees depending on whether you have private health insurance or are self funding. We take payment in full at the end of each session by either cash, cheque (payable to Dr Joe Lowenstein) or bank transfer. Unfortunately we do not have the facilities to accept credit or debit card payments.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to change or cancel an appointment please let me your practitioner know as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made. Cancellations with less than 48 hour’s notice will be charged in full (whatever the reason) as the slot cannot be re-allocated to another individual. Health insurance clients may forfeit a session as a result of cancellations.
Late and Non-Attendance of Sessions
We regret that we cannot make up time if you are late. If you wish to arrive earlier than your appointment time, there is a waiting room at each clinic. If you do not attend two consecutive sessions and you have not contacted your practitioner beforehand to inform them you are unable to attend, we will assume that you no longer wish to continue with therapy and will reallocate your sessions.
Health insurance
Our practitioners are registered with BUPA, AXA PPP, Cigna, PruHealth and Aviva as Approved Practitioners. Please check with them before embarking on sessions to make sure your policy is valid and that your sessions will be covered in full. You will be responsible for payment of all outstanding charges on your account, regardless of the cover you have.
Support Outside of Sessions and Emergencies
Regrettably, we do not offer emergency support because we cannot guarantee my availability to you and hence our contact number should only be used to communicate about appointment times or cancellations. If you feel you are in danger in any way please contact the emergency services, your GP or the Samaritans (08457 90 90 90).
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