Terms and Conditions

My name is Joanne Smith, and I am a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist practising under the business name Joanne E Smith Hypnotherapy. I am a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).

I provide Solution Focused Hypnotherapy sessions online, supporting clients to work towards their individual goals and make positive changes in their lives.

Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process. I will provide professional guidance, appropriate therapeutic techniques and a supportive environment, but your involvement, willingness to participate and commitment to working towards your goals are important parts of the process.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy focuses on your preferred future, your strengths and the positive changes you would like to make. Sessions may include discussion, goal setting, practical strategies and hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention and relaxation. You remain in control throughout hypnosis and can communicate with me or end the process if you wish.

Hypnotherapy is not a quick fix, and results vary between individuals. I cannot guarantee a particular outcome, as progress depends on a range of factors, including your individual circumstances, goals and participation.

Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment where these are needed. I do not advise clients to stop medication or discontinue treatment prescribed by another healthcare professional.

To help me provide a safe, appropriate and effective service, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and honest information about your circumstances, relevant medical history, mental health, medication and any other matters that may affect your suitability for hypnotherapy.
• Inform me of any significant changes to your health, medication or circumstances during the course of therapy.
• Participate openly and actively in sessions and communicate any concerns, questions or difficulties.
• Let me know if you feel uncomfortable with any aspect of the session or wish to pause or stop.
• Take responsibility for your own decisions and actions outside sessions.

The information you provide helps me assess your suitability for hypnotherapy and adapt sessions to your needs. If information is inaccurate, incomplete or withheld, this may affect the suitability, safety or effectiveness of the service.

If I believe that hypnotherapy is not appropriate for you, or that your needs would be better supported by another professional or service, I may recommend that you seek alternative or additional support.

The fee for each session will be communicated to you before you book. Payment arrangements and any applicable payment deadlines will also be explained in advance.

By booking a session, you agree to pay the fee that has been confirmed for that appointment.

Please ensure that you are available at the agreed appointment time and that any required payment is made in accordance with the arrangements provided.

I understand that circumstances can change. However, appointment times are reserved specifically for you, and late cancellations may prevent me from offering that time to another client.

A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to cancel or rearrange an appointment.

If you cancel or request to rearrange an appointment with less than 24 hours' notice, the full session fee will be payable.

If you fail to attend an appointment without providing the required notice, the full session fee will also be payable.

Where possible, please provide cancellation or rearrangement requests by email or telephone, using my usual contact details.

If I need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, I will give you as much notice as reasonably possible and offer an alternative appointment where appropriate. Any payment already made for a session that I cancel and do not provide will be refunded, unless you agree to an alternative arrangement.

I reserve the right to consider exceptional circumstances on an individual basis. Any discretion exercised in one instance does not automatically change this policy for future appointments.

These cancellation terms will be applied fairly and in accordance with applicable consumer law.

All sessions will be conducted online using an agreed video-call platform, unless otherwise arranged.

You are responsible for ensuring that you have:

• A suitable device and a reliable internet connection.
• A quiet, private and comfortable space where you will not be disturbed.
• A safe environment in which to participate in hypnosis, preferably seated or lying comfortably and away from activities that require your full attention.

Please do not participate in hypnosis while driving, operating machinery or undertaking any activity that requires concentration for safety.

If technical difficulties arise, I will make reasonable efforts to resolve the problem or arrange an alternative appointment where appropriate. If a session cannot proceed because of technical difficulties, we will discuss a fair solution based on the circumstances.

Information you share during consultations and sessions will be treated confidentially and handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and the professional standards of the NCH.

There are limited circumstances in which confidentiality may need to be breached, including where disclosure is required by law or where there is a serious concern about the safety of you or another person.

Further information about how your personal data is collected, used, stored and protected is available in my Privacy Notice on my website.

I am committed to treating clients with respect, dignity and professionalism. I expect the same respectful conduct in return.

I reserve the right to pause, decline or discontinue sessions where I reasonably believe that hypnotherapy is unsuitable, that the therapeutic relationship is no longer appropriate, or that continuing would compromise safety or professional boundaries.

Where appropriate, I will explain my concerns and may suggest alternative sources of support or referral to another professional.

Every client is different, and no specific result or timeframe can be guaranteed.

I will work collaboratively with you, using appropriate Solution Focused Hypnotherapy methods to help you work towards your goals. However, the outcome of therapy cannot be guaranteed, and you remain responsible for your own decisions and actions.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any rights you have under applicable law, including rights relating to the reasonable care and skill with which services are provided.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service I provide, please contact me directly in the first instance so that we can discuss your concerns.

I will take complaints seriously and aim to address them fairly and promptly.

As a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, I am also subject to its applicable professional standards and complaints procedures. Information about the NCH and its professional requirements can be found at https://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/.

I may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes to my services, business practices or applicable legal and professional requirements.

The current version will be published on my website. Any changes will not retrospectively alter an existing agreement where doing so would be unlawful or unfair.

Joanne SmithJoanne E Smith HypnotherapyEmail: jesmith1974@outlook.comTelephone: 07946 509002