Terms and Conditions

1. Our booking and cancellation policy

1.1 Individual sessions

(1-1 treatment, consultations, and supervision for professionals) can be rescheduled or cancelled by providing at least 24 hours notice.

1.2 Failure to provide notice

If you do not provide a minimum of 24 hours notice, then The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to retain the full fee. Exceptions can always be considered for extenuating circumstances which are unforeseeable. Sufficient evidence may be required to evidence extenuating circumstances.

1.3 Missed appointments

If you miss one of your scheduled appointments, with no contact provided prior to the session, then this will be treated as a 'missed appointment' and The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to retain the full fee. Again, extenuating circumstances which are unforeseeable may be considered.

1.4 Booking notice period

There is a notice period of 48 hours to book sessions, we cannot accept same day requests.

1.5 Minor alterations

If minor alterations to your appointment time are requested with less than 24 hours notice, for example if you wish to change your appointment from 1pm to 2pm, then this may only be accommodated at the clinician's discretion. If the clinician cannot accommodate the change, The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to retain the full fee.

2. Clients based outside the UK

2.1 Service limitations

If you are based outside of the UK, we cannot offer you live assessment or treatment with one of our clinicians as we are only licensed to provide therapeutic services to residents based in the UK.

2.2 Non-UK resident discovery

If it becomes clear you are not a UK resident during a live assessment or treatment session, then the appointment will be cancelled, and you will not be issued a refund.

2.3 Booking error refund policy

If you are based outside of the UK and book a live assessment or treatment service in error, we will refund your payment minus a £20 administration fee, providing you have contacted us a minimum of 24 hours prior to the scheduled session.

2.4 Permitted services

Clients outside the UK are permitted to procure educational resources (for example, pre-recorded courses and e-books) and attend live training events offered by The OCD Treatment Clinic.

3. Working with children and young people under the age of 18

3.1 Consent requirement

The OCD Clinic will only work with children and young people who are under the age of 18 only in situations whereby formal consent has been obtained from their legal guardian and/or parent. In all other situations, The OCD Treatment Clinic will only work with adults who are at least 18 years old.

3.2 Initial session presence

For the first session, including free consultations, it is essential that a legal guardian and/or parent is present with the child for the appointment. If the legal guardian agrees and consents during the first session that the clinician and the child can proceed to work independently, then regular check-in sessions should be agreed between the parent/legal guardian and the clinician.

3.3 Engagement requirement

If parents and/or guardians do not engage with our regular check-in requirement pertaining to 3.2, or if the clinician is unable to contact the parent after numerous attempts, then treatment will be stopped. We deem parental oversight as a condition of providing treatment to children and young people under the age of 18.

3.4 Family involvement

Family involvement in our treatment is recommended and is an important ingredient for increasing treatment success, we therefore recommend the commitment of families and/or legal guardian's engaging in our treatment alongside the child or young person.

4. Stopping and refusing treatment

4.1 Clinical judgement

The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to use their clinical judgement to refuse, postpone, or stop treatment if the timing of the intervention is deemed to be unsuitable and/or may cause harm that is disproportionate to any potential treatment gains.

4.2 Severe cases

For severe cases, The OCD Treatment Clinic may recommend consulting with a psychiatrist and/or GP to receive medication first prior to beginning treatment with us.

4.3 Abuse or illegal activities

If our clinicians experience abuse from clients, or witnesses illegal or harmful activities during treatment, and/or if any of the Terms in this agreement are broken, then The OCD Treatment reserves the right to stop treatment immediately without notice.

4.4 Payment issues

If payments are not up to date, or if payment is not received prior to scheduled sessions, The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to cancel scheduled appointments and stop further treatment until payment is made.

5. Treatment outcomes

5.1 No cure guarantee

The OCD Treatment Clinic cannot guarantee that an individual receiving treatment for OCD, or any other mental health condition, will be 'cured'.

5.2 No symptom improvement guarantee

We cannot guarantee symptom improvement and cannot guarantee that symptoms will not worsen (although rare). We would advise you to carefully consider any service or professional that offers such guarantee as these promises could be deemed misleading.

6. Assessment and diagnosis only service

6.1 Diagnosis not guaranteed

Our assessment and diagnosis only service does not guarantee a diagnosis of OCD, decisions are based on the clinician's professional judgement.

6.2 Scope of diagnosis

Our assessment and diagnosis service only assesses clinical criteria for OCD, we will not provide a formal diagnosis for another condition as this will require a separate assessment (for example, autism, ADHD, learning disability, bi-polar disorder, or personality disorders).

6.3 Diagnostic criteria used

We use ICD-11 as our clinical criteria and do not use DSM-V; this is because ICD-11 is more widely used in the UK and DSM-V is more applicable for research purposes and/or for clients based in the USA and Canada.

6.4 Alternative opinions

If a diagnosis of OCD is not provided, then we will offer a clinical opinion about what we think may be going on instead. In some cases, we may still be able to offer you support if our clinicians feel they have the right level of skill to help with your particular problem (for example, if you have a phobia and/or you are experiencing depression).

6.5 Outcome communication timeline

We aim to communicate the outcome from the diagnostic assessment within 7 days of the appointment. However, this cannot always be guaranteed and may take longer. If this happens, we will let you know the reason/s why and when you can expect to know the outcome.

6.6 Pre-assessment questionnaires

Pre-assessment questionnaires emailed to you in advance must be completed digitally at least 24 hours before the assessment, given the clinician will require time to review your answers to inform their assessment the following day. If you do not complete the questionnaires in advance, The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to cancel the assessment and retain the full fee.

7. Expectations when joining our sessions

7.1 Preparation and punctuality

Please arrive prepared and join our scheduled sessions on time, trying your best to have completed any pre-assigned homework/tasks if possible.

7.2 Lateness notification

If you are late, please let the clinician know in advance.

7.3 Grace period

We have a grace period of 15-minutes to join scheduled sessions. If you do not join the scheduled session within 15 minutes, without any prior communication, the session will be cancelled, and the full fee may be retained by us.

7.4 Environment

Please ensure you try to join your session in a private and safe space away from distractions and/or in a place where you will not be disturbed.

7.5 Internet connection

Please ensure you have good internet connection; we cannot be held responsible for poor quality internet and technical issues at your end. If there is a problem with the internet connection and/or we experience technical difficulties that is our fault, we will offer to reschedule your session for free if the problem cannot be resolved during the session.

7.6 Driving

Please do not attend a session if you are driving.

8. How we use your data and confidentiality

8.1 Confidentiality exceptions

Information you provide to us will be treated in the strictest confidence; however, there are exceptions to these rules which you should be aware of; for example, relevant authorities may be notified if you disclose a crime and/or communicate that you, someone else, or the wider public is at risk of harm.

8.2 Cybersecurity disclaimer

The OCD Treatment Clinic cannot be held responsible for any of your information obtained by unauthorised individuals due to issues with cyber security and hackers. We recommend you employ similar measures used by The OCD Treatment Clinic when joining sessions, storing data, entering payment details, or completing questionnaires/forms by i) using a private and secure Wi-Fi connection (not a public Wi-Fi network), ii) ensuring your device is password protected and only used by you, iii) ensuring you have a firewall installed, and iv) ensuring you have up to date anti-virus software.

8.3 Privacy Notice

For more information on how we collect, use, and process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website: www.ocdtreatment.co.uk/privacy

9. Refunds

9.1 Client-requested refunds

Refunds requested by clients will be issued subject to a £20 administration fee, providing no other Terms listed in this document have been breached that would exclude your eligibility for a refund.

9.2 Clinic-issued refunds

Refunds issued by The OCD Treatment Clinic for cancelling any of their services (for example, due to staff sickness and/or unforeseen circumstances) is not subject to an administration fee and you will receive a full refund, providing no opportunity has been provided for the service to be rescheduled.

10. Participating in our OCD treatment group

10.1 Cancellation policy

Refunds for our group treatment intervention will be provided if you cancel your place on the programme a minimum of 7 days prior to the start date. The OCD Treatment Clinic will refuse other clients places on the programme if there are no spaces left, therefore, we require sufficient notice to contact people on our waiting list to see if we can fill your place.

10.2 Exceptions to cancellation policy

In situations whereby 7 days notice could not be provided, we may be able to waive Term 10.1 and issue you a refund, at our discretion, only if we can give your place to another client.

10.3 No refunds after start date

Once the group starts and you later decide to leave the programme and/or you miss sessions, no refunds will be provided for this.

10.4 Diagnosis requirement

Evidence of a formal diagnosis of OCD from a registered mental health professional is required to join one of our treatment groups. The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to reject evidence of a formal OCD diagnosis if they feel the clinician and/or person who provided the diagnosis was not appropriately qualified or competent to do so.

10.5 Groups for under 18s

For our groups tailored to children and young people under the age of 18, the parent and/or guardian must be present for the first session. If you consent for your child to attend on their own following the first session, then please attend our parental check-in sessions. You will be provided with information about these check-in sessions during the first week of the programme.

10.6 Group confidentiality

All members of our group are bound by confidentiality and every member attending agrees to not share information disclosed by other group members. In general, what is said in the group must stay in the group. If it is identified that this group rule has been broken, then your place on the programme will be terminated without any notice.

10.7 Group conduct

All members of our group agree to be respectful and inclusive of others, while appreciating diverse views that may differ from their own. If a group member is disruptive, abusive, or behaves in an inappropriate manner then their place on the programme will be terminated without any notice.

10.8 Suitability assessment

Those interested in joining the group will be assessed for suitability prior to the group starting. If it is deemed that you are unsuitable for a group, or if group treatment would not be the most appropriate option for you, then The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to refuse you a place on our programme.

11. Our free consultations

11.1 Purpose of consultation

Our free 15-minute consultation is not a treatment or therapy session, it is designed to ascertain which of our services may suit you best and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about our services. Additionally, the free consultation is designed to offer you a space to consider whether you would like to work with us moving forward.

12. Working with co-morbidities and other conditions

12.1 Treatment focus

The OCD Treatment Clinic acknowledges that co-morbidities are likely to be present alongside OCD. However, the treatment of OCD should normally (but not always) be the primary aim when working with us. If another condition is present and is treatable, we may agree to work on this either before or after offering treatment for OCD. The order will be based on which problem has the greatest level of impact on your functioning and mental health. For example, if you have clinical depression and OCD, we may agree to work on your mood first if this would pose as a major barrier to engaging in exposure and response prevention treatment for OCD.

12.2 Adaptations

If a client has a neurodevelopmental condition, learning disability, neurological condition, or cognitive impairment, we will offer OCD treatment that considers this and integrates necessary adaptations into your treatment plan.

13. Our subscription service

13.1 Service description

Our subscription service is designed to offer 10% of individual sessions by subscribing to a monthly package of either two, four, or eight sessions per month.

13.2 Payment methods

If you join our subscription service, your card will be auto charged on the same date each month through a third-party service we use called 'Stripe', until you make a request to cancel or pause this payment. If you would prefer not to have your card auto charged each month, you can set up a standing order to pay our bank account on a nominated day each month.

13.3 Cancellation policy

The subscription service is not a contract, and you can cancel and stop the auto payment by contacting The OCD Treatment Clinic no later than one day before the next scheduled payment date. If you contact The OCD Treatment Clinic one day before the next scheduled payment date, but you are still charged, then we will refund your fee in full without our administration fee as this is our error. If you have a standing order, simply cancel this at your end prior to the next payment date.

13.4 Session usage policy

The subscription service works like most other subscription services, you are provided with a predetermined number of sessions within each monthly cycle, and you are required to use these sessions before that cycle ends. Therefore, sessions from previous cycles cannot be carried over to the next month and unused sessions are non-refundable.

13.5 Cycle dates

Your cycle date starts from the first date of payment and ends the day before the following month. For example, if you pay for your subscription on the 3rd of March, you then will have until the 2nd of April to use all of your sessions.

13.6 Pausing subscription

If you have a planned vacation, or simply need to take time off, you can pause your subscription without fully cancelling. If this happens, your payment and cycle date would change.

13.7 Booking recommendations

We recommend spreading out your sessions evenly each month and booking them in advance. We cannot be held responsible if you try to book all of your remaining sessions close to the end of your subscription cycle and we cannot accommodate this. For example, if you have a monthly subscription to receive 4 sessions per month and realise you have to use all of four sessions in the next week, it might not be possible to accommodate this with such short notice. Again, it is always best to book in advance when possible and spread out your sessions.

13.8 Price protection

When you join our subscription service, you are protected for 12 months from price increases. If you cancel or pause and then re-join, you may pay more if The OCD Treatment Clinic has increased their fees.

14. Governing law, professional bodies, and best practice guidance

14.1 Governing law

The OCD Treatment Clinic is a UK based company which carries out activities in accordance with UK legislation.

14.2 Professional registration

All of our clinical psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and all other mental health professionals are registered with an alternative UK professional body (for example, BABCP, NMC).

14.3 Supervision

Any individual who working with The OCD Treatment Clinic who is not a registered mental health professional, for example, an assistant psychologist, will be supervised by a fully qualified clinical psychologist.

14.4 Best practice guidance

Our best practice guidance is informed by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

14.5 Data handling

How we handle data is adherent to the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 – see our Privacy Notice for more information on how we collect, process, and use your information.

15. Recordings

15.1 Recording sessions

You are not permitted to record any of our sessions without gaining consent from the clinician. Consent must be obtained at the beginning of the session and will only apply to the session you are requesting to record. If you wish to record future sessions, you must obtain consent again.

15.2 Restrictions on sharing recording/s with others

If the clinician has obtained consent for you to record a particular session, then you are not permitted to share the recording with anyone else. Recorded sessions must never be shared on any online or social media platforms. If you wish to use the recording for any other reason, for example, for training purposes, you must first gain consent from The OCD Treatment Clinic.

16. Right to amend these terms

16.1 Modification of terms

The OCD Treatment Clinic reserves the right to change or modify our Terms at any time. Any changes will be made publicly available on our website with the effective date shown. Continued procurement and use of our services following modification to the Terms constitutes your acceptance of these modifications.

17. Contact us

If you have any queries or concerns about our Terms, please contact: craig@ocdtreatment.co.uk