Services Terms & Conditions
What is online counseling?
Online counseling provides an opportunity to explore personal difficulties in a confidential and supportive environment. This may include expressing feelings that are painful, and which many of us experience at certain times in our lives. When this happens it can be difficult to stay positive and cope with everyday life. Online Counselling can provide you with the opportunity to access counseling support at a time and in a place that is convenient to you and be supported in trying to find a better way forward with personal issues or concerns.
For what sorts of issues you can contact me?
Online counseling may help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, lifestyle issues, loneliness, relationship problems, bereavement, self-esteem, and trauma to name a few more. Not all types of issues can be resolved through online counseling and I will advise you if I consider that face-to-face counseling or some other form of support might be more appropriate to your personal needs and presenting issues. Where I consider that online counseling would not be the most suitable means of support, I will make every effort to assist you in a referral to a suitable alternative source of support. I am not able to provide online counseling to any person who is under the age of 18 without parental consent.
What does the online counseling service offer?
We will agree on an ‘appointment time’ and I urge you to confirm the session at least 24 hours before the preferred time of the session or we can decide a time that is mutually convenient to both of us.
What happens if I have to cancel the appointment, or I have computer/connection problems which prevent me from keeping my appointments?
If you have paid for a session but cannot meet at the appointed time due to unexpected or other personal commitments, you need to let me know at least 24 hours of notice, or else the session fee will not get adjusted or returned. Where either party experiences a technological breakdown that prevents us from meeting online, we would discuss how to re-arrange the scheduled appointment. All bookings are non-refundable; cancellation within 24 hours of the scheduled time would lead to no refund.
How does it all work?
To the best of my ability, I will provide online counseling and therapy that endeavor to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which you will be given time and space to understand and gain insight into your situation. This process can foster growth and lead to positive change in your life. I will not be in a position to offer advice but suggest and handhold you to make better choices for yourself. Occasionally, I may ask questions about what you have discussed with me. This may be to seek a clearer view of your difficulty or how much you understood during the sessions or to clarify any misinterpretations during our communication. Online counseling is different to face-to-face counseling, as misinterpretations may occur due to a lack of facial expressions and tone of voice hence, I will encourage you to express how you are feeling with transparency.
Confidentiality and Security
The copy of the signed agreement (signed by you and me) will be stored securely offline for a period of 5 years and then destroyed after this time. Electronic records of your session will be stored with HopeAlive for quality and review purposes, however, the recordings will be coded and anonymized for privacy purposes and shall not be shared with any external party. However, I am legally bound to disclose to the police/ law authorities or apex bodies, if a client reveals that they are at serious risk of causing harm to themselves or/and others. In addition, if at any point during the counseling you needed emergency support, I may ask for your consent to contact your Guardian/Parent/Concerned authorities /emergency service support nearest to where you will be in the time you need emergency support. Maintaining the privacy of your personal and sessions details online while taking session(s) with a counselor Please ensure that you have or secure a computer and emails against unauthorized viewing by third parties. This may include adopting the use of password protection for all personal email accounts and documents etc. It is recommended that you do not engage in online counseling using a public computer where the content of exchanges could be viewed by others nearby.
Guidelines for emergency contact
Online counseling cannot provide an emergency service for clients. In the event of an emergency arising whilst you are engaged in online work, I will discuss with you the appropriate support that you could access during this period. If you found yourself in a major crisis and were considering serious self-harm it would be vital to get immediate help. This could include contacting your Guardian/Parent, or your nearest accident and emergency service. This agreement shall be construed and governed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the Government of India and any dispute or differences in relation to this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian Courts.