Terms & Conditions
Introduction
This website is run by Tracey Hutcheon Counselling.
Please read these terms carefully before you start to use this website, as these will apply to your use of this website including booking sessions, classes and events.
These terms refer to the following additional terms, which also apply to your use of this website:
Our privacy policy, which sets out the terms on which we process any personal data that we collect from you, or that you provide to us. By using this website, you consent to such processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate.
Our cookie policy as part of our privacy policy, which sets out information about the cookies on this website.
By using this website, you confirm that you accept these terms and that you agree to comply with them. If you do not agree to these terms, then you must not use this website.
Website Use
Liability
The information provided by Tracey Hutcheon on traceyhutcheoncounselling.com (the “site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith.
However, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the site. Under no circumstance shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the site, or reliance on any information provided on the site. Your use of the site, and your reliance on any information on the site, is solely at your own risk.
External Links
The site may contain (or you may be sent through the site) links to other websites, or content belonging to, or originating from third parties, or links to websites. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness by me. We do not warrant, endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information offered by third-party websites linked through the site, or any website, or feature, linked in any banner or other advertising. We will not be party to, or in any way be responsible, for monitoring any transaction between you and third-party providers of products or services.
Testimonials
The site may contain testimonials by users of our services. These testimonials reflect the real-life experiences and opinions of such users. However, the experiences are personal to those particular users, and may not necessarily be representative of all users of our services. We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all users will have the same experiences. Your individual results may vary. The testimonials on the site are submitted in various forms such as text, audio and/or video, and are reviewed by us before being posted. They appear on the site verbatim as given by the users, except for the correction of grammar or typing errors.
Some testimonials may have been shortened for the sake of brevity, where the full testimonial contained extraneous information, not relevant to the general public. The views and opinions contained in the testimonials belong solely to the individual user and do not reflect my views and opinions. [We are not affiliated with users who provide testimonials, and users are not paid or otherwise compensated for their testimonials.]
Viruses
We do not guarantee that this website will be secure or free from bugs or viruses.
You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform in order to access this website. You should use your own virus protection software.
You must not misuse this website by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs or other material which is malicious or technologically harmful. You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to this website, the server on which this website is stored, or any server, computer or database connected to this website.
You must not attack this website via a denial-of-service attack, or a distributed denial-of service attack. By breaching this provision, you would commit a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities, and we will cooperate with those authorities by disclosing your identity to them. In the event of such a breach, your right to use this website will cease immediately.
Intellectual property rights
Tracey Hutcheon is the owner, or the licensee, of all intellectual property rights in this website, and in the material published on it. Those works are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All such rights are reserved.
You may print off copies, and may download extracts, of any page(s) from this website for your personal use and you may draw the attention of others within your organisation to content posted on this website.
You must not modify the paper or digital copies of any materials you have printed off or downloaded in any way, and you must not use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences or any graphics separately from any accompanying text.
Nothing in these terms is intended to prevent you from sharing links to any content on this website by email, or through social media, or using any sharing tools provided on this website.
Counselling Sessions
Relationship
The Counselling relationship is an entirely professional one, in which no other contact occurs outside of the counselling appointment. If you need to contact me for example, to cancel a session, please contact me by phone or email. If we should bump into each other out with our sessions or after the sessions are complete, to maintain your confidentiality, you may say hello first if you wish, otherwise I will respect your choice to keep the counselling relationship entirely private.
We will discuss your expectations from counselling and what you would like to achieve in our sessions. I will explain my Pluralistic approach, methods I use and the possible risks to receiving counselling. We can review progress together at appropriate times.
The sessions must not be recorded in any way by either the counsellor or client.
Confidentiality
What you choose to talk about during our session is confidential. There are rare exceptions when confidentiality cannot be maintained; if:
I think the client may harm themselves or others.
I must do so by law (court order or instructions from a Procurator Fiscal)
The client infers involvement in, or knowledge of, an act of terrorism or of money laundering.
The client infers knowledge of, or involvement in, drugs trafficking.
The client infers knowledge of, or involvement in, behaviours that may, in the therapist’s opinion, lead to harm or neglect to children and vulnerable adults.
If this arose, I would speak about this with you, unless I think to do so may worsen the situation. In the above situations I would first speak with my supervisor or ethical body prior to disclosure if possible.
Notes/GDPR
I keep records for all clients which are held on a secure data base in accordance with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations 2018). I hold some paper records e.g., copy of this agreement, which are stored confidentially. I need your consent to keep these records. Your record is kept for a period of 5 years from referral date and are then deleted. The data kept provides anonymised statistical information. It also enables me to help identify your problems, record what we do to alleviate them and measure effectiveness.
Contract - times and dates:
We can agree on a specific number of sessions or monitor as we go. Our appointments will normally take place on the same day and time on a weekly basis unless otherwise agreed. If I am taking a holiday or break I will give you a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. If I am unwell or have an emergency, I will notify you and reconvene our next appointment as soon as possible. If you are ill or have an emergency, I would appreciate as much notice as possible. We will not proceed with our appointment if you are 20 minutes late or more. If you do not attend a scheduled appointment and fail to notify me, you will be charged the normal rate for the missed session. I ask that you read the separate contract agreement. You will be asked at your initial meeting if you have read, agreed and had the opportunity to discuss the contract.
Payment
I ask that payment is made via bank transfer at least 48 hours before your session to ensure your appointment. I will accept payment up to an hour before the session. If no payment is made, I am afraid that the session will not take place.
Cancellation
I ask that you give me 48 hours’ (where possible) notice by text or email that you are unable to attend your allocated appointment. This will avoid you being charged for changed or cancelled appointments. If you were to fail to contact me this could result in you paying the full fee for the session. Late arrival will result in a curtailed session.
Missed appointments
If you miss your time slot or fail to send an email or text letting me know, payment will not be refunded. The only exception will be if a technical failure has prevented our online meeting from proceeding and we cannot use telephone services as a backup due to technical failure.
Ensuring my safe physical and online environment
The aim of online/phone counselling is to provide you, the client, with a confidential opportunity to explore personal and relational issues in safety. The sessions offered are via a video conferencing platform, or via telephone, whichever is your preference and will be discussed at the initial assessment meeting.
Each appointment will last 45-60 minutes and will start and finish promptly. At the start of each session, I will ask you for details of your location. This is required in the event I have any concerns regarding your safety. You will also be asked for a back-up method of contact in case of disconnection. If I cannot reach you by the chosen alternative method,
I will keep the video conferencing meeting open for 15 minutes, after this time you will have to reschedule your appointment.
If you are due to have phone sessions, I will call you at the agreed time. If I do not receive an answer, I will try again in a few minutes for a maximum of 3 attempts. After that it will be necessary to reschedule your appointment.
I will be calling you from a safe, quiet, and confidential space. I would ask that you also find a safe confidential space where we will not be disturbed for the duration of our session. I also ask that you ensure the security of your computer, emails and texts against unauthorised viewing by third parties and to keep my computer anti-virus software up to date.
Standards
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. You can expect the service you receive to meet these standards. More information is available at www.bacp.co.uk
All counsellors are required to attend supervision regularly with an appropriately qualified practitioner to discuss client work. Your identity and all identifying material is not revealed to the supervisor. The role of a supervisor is to check that I am on the right track and this is seen as a safeguard for you.
Insurance
I confirm that I hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance with Towergate Insurance and can provide further details on request.
Complaints
If there is any aspect of your experience in our counselling that you feel dissatisfied with, please let me know as soon as possible and I will address this promptly. You also have access to the complaint’s procedure available through BACP. This can be found at: www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/professional-conduct.
Entire agreement
These Terms and Conditions constitute all the terms and conditions agreed upon between you us and supersede any prior whether written or oral. You acknowledge that you have not accepted the Terms and Conditions in reliance on any oral or written representations made by us that are not contained in the Terms and Conditions.
Law and jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and any documentation or content relating to the website shall be governed by Scots law.