Terms & Conditions

This agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing your use of our website, use of the live booking system and the process of enquiring about the services listed on the site.

Before using our website, making a booking and submitting an enquiry, it is important that you read these terms carefully. By submitting an enquiry through the website’s form or by booking a session/consultation with one of the practitioners on the website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms outlined below, including our Privacy Policy. You also agree to comply with all these terms unconditionally.

Definitions and Interpretation

For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise:

  • Fully Qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist/Therapist refers to individuals advertising their services on our website. These self-employed professionals are fully insured and fully qualified to provide counselling/psychotherapy and are members of regulatory bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) or the British Psychological Society (BPS). These Practitioners are not employed by Online Therapy UK. They are autonomous practitioners, associated with Online Therapy UK.

Online Therapy UK offer a placement programme, where we offer student Counsellors an opportunity to develop their practical skills within a Placement setting. Many of the Fully Qualified Therapists within the Team have completed our programme and due to the fact that they excelled throughout, we have offered them an opportunity to become affiliated with us and therefore an opportunity to advertise their services on our website.

We believe in delivering the highest standard of care and we are committed to ensuring that the therapists on our website uphold the highest standards and practice ethically and in accordance with professional guidelines set out by the governing bodies.

  • Trainee Therapist refers to individuals currently undergoing their student placements within our placement programme. They are still in training and are student members of regulatory bodies like BACP, NCPS or BPS. Trainee Therapists are supervised regularly and are insured. We offer them support throughout their placement and we work collaboratively with their learning institutes and supervisors to ensure that the highest standard of care is delivered to clients who commence therapy with them.
  • Our/This Service refers to the matching service we provide, connecting clients with either the Fully Qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists or Trainee Therapists.
  • Standard Therapy Service refers to therapy provided by the Associate Fully Qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists, including counselling and psychotherapy.
  • Low-Cost Therapy Service refers to therapy offered by Trainee Therapists at reduced rates.
  • Force Majeure means an event or series of events beyond our control that prevents or delays the performance of our obligations under this Agreement.
  • Enquiring refers to the act of completing an enquiry form on our website.
  • Booking refers to the act of booking your first session/consultation with a Fully Qualified Therapist
  • Platform refers to the services made available through this Website
  • We/Us/Our refers to Oktawia Blockley MBACP, who undertakes and overlooks the Therapist allocation process. She is a fully qualified psychotherapist and member of the BACP, trading as Online Therapy UK. Additionally, The Service Coordinator, Thomas Andrew, who coordinates all the communications and Therapist allocation process is also involved in the process of manging the administrative side of the service and in client liaison.
  • Website refers to: www.onlinetherapyuk.co.uk
  • You/Your refers to the individual agreeing to these terms and/or using the Website, Standard Therapy Service, or the Low-Cost Therapy Service.

Background

  1. Online Therapy UK is a platform designed to connect individuals seeking psychotherapy or counselling with either fully qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists (for Standard Therapy) or Trainee Therapists (for Low-Cost Therapy). Therapy is provided by these practitioners, and Online Therapy UK merely facilitates the connection. In some instances, Oktawia Blockley may personally provide therapy and enter into a formal contract with you.
  2. Important Notice: Online Therapy UK is NOT a Crisis Service. If you are in immediate danger, feeling suicidal, or at risk of harm, please contact emergency services (dial 999) or visit the nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
  3. Eligibility: You must be 18 or older to access our services. If you are under 18, you will need parental consent, and both you and your parents/guardians will be bound by these terms. Availability of therapy delivered to individuals below the age of 18 is limited, please enquire about availability.
  4. Therapy Contracts:
    • For Standard Therapy Services, a contract is formed and signed directly between you and the Fully Qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist of your choice once therapy begins. Online Therapy UK does not enter into any formal contract with you for the therapy services and will not be liable for any breaches of codes, frameworks or other guidance or regulations that must be adhered to by the individual practitioner.
    • For Low-Cost Therapy Services, you will be required to sign and abide by an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of your sessions with Online Therapy UK.

Our therapists abide by rigours ethical guidelines of a professional body, for example BACP, NCPS or BPS. All Trainee Therapists are fully insured and are responsible for their clinical work. Any breach of frameworks is the sole responsibility of the Trainee Therapist who works with you, whether they are employed by or volunteering for Online Therapy UK. Online Therapy UK will not be liable for any breaches of codes, frameworks or other guidance or regulations that must be adhered to by the individual practitioner.

Use of the Website

  1. Enquiries: By completing the enquiry form, you can request information about services offered by Associate Counsellors/Psychotherapists or express interest in being matched with a Trainee Therapist. Trainee Therapists are not listed directly on the website, and matching is based on your preferences and needs.
  2. Payments:
    • For the Standard Therapy Service, you will pay for your first session upfront. When booking via our Live Booking System on the website, you will be able to choose a suitable time and pay when booking. If your therapist determines that they are unable to meet your needs after the first session, they may choose not to offer further sessions, in which case you will be given alternative information on how to get appropriate support or you may be rematched with another practitioner.
    • For the Low-Cost Therapy Service, Online Therapy UK handles all payments, as Trainee Therapists are volunteers. After each session, you will receive a payment link. You must pay within 48 hours to avoid a £5 administrative fee.
  3. Cancellations:
    • For Standard Therapy Services, therapists generally require 24-48 hours’ notice for cancellations. Failure to do so may result in a charge for the full session.
    • For Low-Cost Therapy Services, if you cancel within less than 48 hours or miss a session, you will be charged the full session fee.
  4. Enquiry Process:
    • To access the Low-Cost Therapy Service, you must complete an enquiry form. This helps us understand your needs and preferences to match you with a suitable Trainee Therapist. You must provide accurate contact details and notify us of any changes.
  5. Initial Consultation:
    • Some Fully Qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists offer a free 15-minute consultation to determine if they are the right fit for you. If the initial consultation is offered, you will be able to book it through the live Booking System.
    • In the Low-Cost Therapy Service, Oktawia Blockley will conduct a risk assessment to determine if a Trainee Therapist can meet your needs. This initial consultation lasts 20-30 minutes and is free of charge. If she deems that a more experienced therapist is required, she may suggest an alternative course of treatment.
  6. Service Availability: We reserve the right to modify or discontinue services without notice. Access to the website may also be restricted temporarily, and we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service.

Information Accuracy

While we strive to ensure the accuracy of information on our website, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. Fully Qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists are responsible for their profiles, and we disclaim liability for inaccuracies in their qualifications or services. While we perform background checks and go through a rigorous onboarding process, we cannot guarantee that credentials will remain up-to-date or free from fraud.

Limitation of Liability

We are not liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential losses resulting from the use of the website or services provided by the Fully Qualified and Trainee Therapists. We do not guarantee the effectiveness of therapy or the satisfaction of the clients.

Your Information

We process your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Communications between us will be conducted via email or phone.

If you wish to have your information deleted, contact us at info@onlinetherapyuk.co.uk.

Complaints

If you have any complaints regarding our services, please contact us via email. For complaints about Fully Qualified Therapists, please follow their individual procedures, but we are happy to assist if necessary.

Force Majeure

We are not liable for any delays or failure to perform obligations due to events beyond our control.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement is governed by Spanish law, and any disputes will be resolved under the jurisdiction of Spanish courts.

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