Client-Hypnotherapist Service Agreement
It is a condition of provision of services by My Bondi Hypnotherapist (or the “Practice”) that you, the undersigned as “the Client” review, fully understand, absorb, and sign this document prior to treatment.
This document contains important information about My Bondi Hypnotherapist’s professional services and business policies. It details privacy protections, patient rights and provisions, and explains how this Practice uses and handles your Personal Information for the purposes of treatment and payment Although these documents are long, it is very important that you understand them. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me prior to your session.
Hypnotherapy is a relationship between people that works in part because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in hypnotherapy, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. I, as your hypnotherapist, have corresponding responsibilities to you. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.
Goals of Hypnotherapy
There can be many goals for the hypnotherapy relationship. Some of these will be long term goals such as improving the quality of your life, learning to live with mindfulness and self- actualisation. Others may be more immediate goals such as decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms, developing healthy relationships, changing behaviour or decreasing/ending drug use. Whatever the goals for hypnotherapy, they will be set by the clients according to what they want to work on in hypnotherapy. The hypnotherapist may make suggestions on how to reach that goal but you decide where you want to go.
Risks/Benefits of Hypnotherapy
There are many benefits to hypnotherapy. It can help you develop coping skills, improve aspects of your performance, make attitudinal and behavioural changes, reduce symptoms of mental health disorders, improve the quality of your life, learn to manage anger, learn to live in the present and many other advantages.
It does however carry certain risks.
Hypnotherapy is an intensely personal process. Depending on the focus area and our agreed form of Treatment, it can in some cases bring unpleasant memories or emotions to the surface.
A Therapeutic Goal must always be regarded as an objective. Setting a mutually agreed Therapeutic Goal cannot be construed as a guarantee by the Clinician that it can or will be achieved. There are many variables, and success measures far too subjective, for that to be possible. We will guide you in goal setting to establish realistic Therapeutic Goals and apply our best efforts towards bringing you the best possible outcome.
There are no guarantees that hypnotherapy will work for you. Clients can sometimes make improvements only to go backwards after a time. Progress may happen slowly. It might be experienced as an improvement, rather than the Goal being definitively achieved.
To achieve best results, hypnotherapy requires active effort and full cooperation on your part as the Client. In order to be most successful, you will have to work as directed on things we discuss outside of sessions and to be fully cooperative. The success of Hypnotherapy can be seriously impacted where the Client is not fully cooperative, either consciously or unconsciously.
Appointments
Appointments start with an Initial session of 90minutes and 60 minutes there after. The time scheduled for your appointment is assigned to you and you alone. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask that you provide me with 24 hours' notice. If you miss a session without cancelling, or cancel with less than 24 hour notice, you may be required to pay for the session [unless we both agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control]. In addition, you are responsible for coming to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time.
Confidentiality
Your confidentially is paramount and anything you say in our sessions is private and confidential. Your identity will be kept confidential, unless stated otherwise, to anyone else other than me. Our confidentiality agreement can only be broken if it is deemed you, or someone else, including myself, are at risk, or you reveal your involvement in a serious crime. As a mandatory reporter I am legally required to alert the appropriate authorities should such an event occur, or if I am subpoenaed to a court of law. If you wish to have information released, you will be required to sign a consent form before such information will be released. There are some limitations to confidentiality to which you need to be aware. Your hypnotherapist may consult with a supervisor or other professional hypnotherapist in order to give you the best service. In the event that your hypnotherapist consults with another hypnotherapist, no identifying information such as your name would be released.
Recording
I record only the hypnosis part of the session which is for your sole use only and not to be shared. The recording is for you to listen to between session to further build and integrate behavioural changes you are looking to make.
Codes and Ethics
As a member of the Australian Hypnotherapy Association (AHA), International Strategic Psychotherapists Association (ISPA) and Hypnotherapy Council of Australia (HCA) I abide by their code of conduct and ethical practice guidelines. My practise is subject to the rules and regulations set out by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Record Keeping
Your records of your hypnotherapy sessions and a treatment plan which includes goals for your hypnotherapy. These records are kept ensuring a direction to your sessions and continuity in service. They will not be shared except with respect to the limits to confidentiality discussed in the Confidentiality section. Should the client wish to have their records released, they are required to sign a release of information which specifies what information is to be released and to whom. Under the Privacy Act I abide by my obligations to store all personal information and notes securely for 7 years, or 7 years beyond your 18th birthday. Records will be kept either electronically on a secure drive or in a paper file and stored in a locked cabinet in the hypnotherapist's office.
Professional Fees
You are responsible for paying at the time of your session unless prior arrangements have been made. Payment must be made by debit/credit card or cash. If you refuse to pay your debt, I reserve the right to use an attorney or collection agency to secure payment.
If you anticipate becoming involved in a court case, I recommend that we discuss this fully before you waive your right to confidentiality. If your case requires my participation, you will be expected to pay for the professional time required.
Fees are non-negotiable. Fees are subject to change at hypnotherapist's discretion.
Fee Schedule
$225 initial session 90min
$175 regular session 60min
Rebates
My practise is not entitled to Medicare rebates or part of the mental health plans. If you are a member of Private Health, some health insurers do cover Hypnotherapy. As a Member of Australian Hypnotherapy Association (AHA) there are ongoing checks with the Private Providers to include hypnotherapy as part of their rebates. Where applicable I have the relevant provider numbers required. Rebates vary between funds and levels of cover. Additionally, changes in policy can occur at any time. We can not tell you whether your insurance policy will cover your hypnotherapy sessions, or what your rebate will be. It is your responsibility to check with your fund prior to your session. I will supply you with a receipt of payment for services, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Contacting Me
I am often not immediately available by telephone. At these times, you may leave a message on our confidential voice mail and your call will be returned as soon as possible, but it may take a day or two for non-urgent matters.
Please call 0404767774 or email me at claire@bondihypnotherapist.com If you feel you cannot wait for a return call or email it is an emergency situation, go to your local hospital or call 000.
Use Of Your Contact Details
My Bondi Hypnotherapist will request your email address, phone number and other contact details on our Client Intake Form. You have the right to refuse to divulge such information.
By signing this document, you authorise My Bondi Hypnotherapist to use your email address and or mobile phone to periodically check in with you to monitor your progress. You further authorise us to use your email address to send newsletters with valuable therapeutic information including wellness advice, and to notify you of events and offers.