1. Professional Relationship

Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. provides psychological services through practitioner psychologists who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Our approach is collaborative and aims to empower you to work towards your therapeutic goals. We will work with you to understand your individual needs and will provide information about the psychological work we can offer so that you can make an informed decision about your care.

 

It is important that you understand the nature and limits of our professional relationship. Please keep us up to date with any medical or psychological interventions you are receiving so that we can provide appropriate and coordinated care.

 

Therapy requires your active participation and may involve discussing difficult aspects of your life and experiencing uncomfortable emotions such as sadness, guilt, anger or frustration. While therapy can be beneficial, we cannot guarantee a particular outcome.

 

You have the right to ask questions about your therapy, progress, treatment approach and expected duration of therapy, and to refuse treatment or recommendations.

 

2. Initial Session and Treatment Planning

During your first session, we will discuss what has brought you to therapy, consider your needs and begin to develop a tentative therapeutic plan. Sessions may then focus on further assessment, formulation and treatment planning. Together, we will establish therapeutic goals and consider the approaches that may be most appropriate for you.

 

The length of therapy will depend on your individual circumstances and goals. Your progress and therapeutic needs will be reviewed periodically. It may become apparent following the initial assessment, or at another stage of therapy, that Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. is not the most appropriate service to meet your needs. If this occurs, we will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, recommend alternative support or referral options.

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3. Confidentiality

Information disclosed during therapy and records relating to your care will be treated as confidential, subject to the limitations described below and in our Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and you will have been signposted to it in your Welcome email. Confidential information will generally only be disclosed with your permission, unless there is a lawful or otherwise appropriate reason for disclosure.

 

Exceptions to Confidentiality

• Risk of harm to yourself or others: If we have reason to believe that you are at risk of serious harm to yourself or another person, we may need to take protective action. This may include contacting your GP, family members, emergency services, potential victims or the police, depending on the circumstances.

• Safeguarding: Where we have reasonable concerns that a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm, we may need to share relevant information with appropriate safeguarding authorities or other professionals.

• Legal proceedings: We may be required to disclose information where this is required by law or by a court order.

• Insurance requirements: Where you are using private health insurance, we may need to provide information required by your insurer, which may include information relating to diagnosis, treatment or treatment plans. The information required will depend on your insurer and policy.

• Clinical supervision: We participate in clinical supervision as part of maintaining professional standards. Relevant aspects of our work may be discussed without identifying information wherever possible.

• Regulatory investigations: Information may need to be provided to our regulatory body or another relevant authority where this is required as part of an investigation or regulatory process.

• Administrative support and invoicing: From time to time, we may use the services of a virtual assistant to support administrative tasks and invoicing. Any such individual is appropriately insured and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), where applicable, and is required to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable data protection and privacy requirements.

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4. Risk Management and Suitability of Treatment

If you disclose that you are currently self-harming or experiencing thoughts of suicide, your psychologist may need to undertake a risk assessment and develop a risk management plan with you. Where clinically necessary, planned psychological assessment or intervention may be paused while an appropriate risk management plan is established and implemented. In situations involving significant or increased risk, it may be more appropriate for you to receive support from multiple professionals or a larger multidisciplinary service rather than from a sole clinician. Depending on your circumstances, this may include another psychological service or an NHS Community Mental Health Team. If we believe that your needs would be better supported by another service, we will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, recommend alternative support.

 

5. Appointments

Appointments are scheduled at the psychologist's discretion and will generally be arranged using the Jane platform. Jane's diary management system can send appointment reminders according to the preferences you select. Virtual appointments will take place on the Jane App platform; whereas in-person appointments will typically take place at the Wellbeing Rooms, 5A Kirk Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 3RG.

 

6. Fees, Insurance and Payment

Current session fees are outlined on our website: www.blueskiespsychology.co.uk.

If you are self-funding, payment is due on the day of your appointment. If payment is not made on the day, an invoice will be issued by email and payment will be due within three days of the invoice. All outstanding fees must be paid before a further appointment can take place.

 

Our preferred payment method is bank transfer:

Bank: Mettle

Payee: Blue Skies Psychology Ltd.

Account number: 67037147

Sort code: 04-03-33

 

We also accept payment via PayPal and GoCardless.

 

If you are using private health insurance, you are responsible for understanding your policy and confirming:

• whether Dr. Kirsty Horne or her associates are participating providers under your specific plan;

• what benefits and sessions are covered;

• whether an excess applies; and

• whether there are any exclusions or other limitations.

 

We are registered with the following insurers:

BUPA, Aviva, Vitality Health, WPA, Cigna, Allianz

 

Any fees not covered by your insurer are your responsibility.

 

7. Cancellations, Rescheduling and Late Arrival

We operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours' notice, or appointments that are missed, are chargeable at the full session fee. This policy reflects the fact that appointment time is reserved exclusively for you and cannot normally be offered to another client at short notice.

 

Private health insurance policies generally do not cover missed appointments or short-notice cancellations. Where your insurer does not cover the charge, you will be personally responsible for payment.

If you arrive late for an appointment, the session may need to finish at the originally scheduled time and you may therefore receive less therapeutic time.

 

8. Letters and Reports

Written reports and therapeutic letters are charged at the same rate as clinical work. Payment is due in advance based on an estimate provided by your psychologist. The estimate will take account of the anticipated time required for clinical review, drafting and related work. The final fee will be adjusted following completion to reflect the actual time taken:

• if the work takes less time than estimated, the difference will be refunded;

• if the work takes longer than estimated, the additional fee will be payable.

We will discuss this with you in advance if it becomes apparent that the work is likely to significantly exceed the original estimate.

 

9. Communication Between Sessions

We are a small practice and operate on a part-time basis. During practice hours, we are often conducting therapy sessions and may therefore be unable to respond immediately. Email is our preferred method of contact and is the method most likely to receive a timely response. We aim to respond to emails within 48 hours, although we often respond sooner. For scheduling, administrative queries, cancellations and similar matters, please contact: AdminatBlueSkies@proton.me

 

Email should not be used to discuss therapeutic content or to request urgent clinical support.

If you attempt to contact us by telephone, we may not always be available to answer. Please leave a voicemail and we will attempt to return your call as soon as reasonably possible. We do not generally provide out-of-session clinical support because we are a small practice. Any request for additional telephone or email support must be agreed in advance with your psychologist and, where agreed, will be charged at the usual rate.

 

10. Availability and Emergency Support

Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate support, contact your GP, NHS 111, your local NHS Mental Health Crisis Team if you are known to one, or another appropriate emergency service. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

 

You can also contact:

• Samaritans: 116 123

• Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258

• Breathing Space (Scotland only): 0800 83 85 87

 

11. Online and Telehealth Therapy

Telehealth refers to psychological services provided remotely using telecommunications technology, including secure video or telephone appointments. Telehealth allows you and your psychologist to communicate when you are not physically in the same location. Although many aspects of psychological therapy can be provided effectively online, telehealth differs from face-to-face therapy and involves additional considerations and risks.

 

Consent, Benefits, Risks and Suitability

By agreeing to participate in telehealth sessions, you confirm that you understand that your psychologist will provide psychological services remotely and that telehealth differs from an in-person appointment. Potential benefits include increased accessibility, convenience, reduced travel and continuity of care.

Telehealth also involves potential risks, including technical difficulties or interruptions, reduced access to some non-verbal cues, privacy and security considerations, and greater difficulty providing immediate assistance in an emergency. Electronic communication cannot be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Telehealth may not be appropriate for every person or clinical situation, including where psychological distress or risk requires more intensive or immediate support, where face-to-face assessment or treatment is considered necessary, where there are significant difficulties using the required technology, or where cognitive or other difficulties substantially interfere with safe and effective participation.

 

Either you or your psychologist may end or change a telehealth session if technical difficulties, privacy concerns, clinical considerations or other circumstances mean that it is no longer appropriate to continue. Your psychologist will continually consider whether telehealth remains clinically appropriate and will discuss alternative options with you where possible. You have an opportunity to ask questions about telehealth and can withdraw your consent to telehealth at any time and discuss alternative arrangements with your psychologist.

 

Telehealth Platform

Online appointments are delivered through Jane App, which provides a secure video facility designed for healthcare appointments. Jane App uses encryption and other security measures designed to protect the privacy and security of information transmitted through the platform. You will receive instructions for accessing your appointment before your first telehealth session.

 

Your Requirements and Responsibilities

To participate in telehealth sessions, you will need a computer, tablet or smartphone with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth, a secure and up-to-date web browser or recommended application, and access to a telephone in case the video connection fails or your psychologist needs to contact you urgently. You should check your equipment and internet connection before your first appointment and inform your psychologist of any technical difficulties. Headphones are recommended to improve audio quality and privacy. You are responsible for ensuring that you are in a private and secure environment where you cannot be overheard. Sessions should not be conducted in public places or other environments where privacy cannot be maintained. You should tell your psychologist if another person is present or able to hear the session.

 

You must not share your appointment link with anyone who is not authorised to attend, and you must not record, photograph or otherwise capture a telehealth session without your psychologist's prior written consent. You should remain present and engaged during sessions and not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery. You should ensure that your equipment and internet connection are functioning adequately and notify your psychologist of any technical difficulties.

 

It is advisable to let your psychologist know your current physical location, particularly if you are not in your usual location, so that appropriate action can be taken if an emergency occurs. You should also provide the name and contact details of an appropriate local emergency contact.

 

Your Psychologist's Responsibilities

Your psychologist will apply the same professional and ethical standards to telehealth as to in-person psychological services; conduct sessions from a private location and take reasonable steps to protect confidentiality; provide reasonable assistance with basic technical difficulties where possible; follow appropriate procedures for managing emergencies and significant clinical concerns; consider whether telehealth remains clinically appropriate for your needs; and comply with relevant UK professional, regulatory and data protection requirements.

 

Technical Difficulties and Emergency Procedures

If technical difficulties occur during a session, your psychologist will attempt to reconnect and, where appropriate, will contact you using the telephone number you have provided. Depending on the circumstances, the session may continue by telephone where clinically appropriate, be rescheduled, or be adjusted or prorated where a significant proportion of the session has been lost because of technical difficulties. If technical difficulties compromise the privacy or clinical appropriateness of the session, your psychologist may decide that the session should end, continue by an alternative method or be rescheduled.

If a session is unexpectedly disconnected and your psychologist has reason to be concerned about your immediate safety, they will attempt to contact you using the telephone number you have provided. If they cannot reach you and have reasonable concerns about your safety, they may contact your nominated emergency contact and/or appropriate emergency services.

 

12. Clinical Records and Data Protection

We maintain secure clinical records in accordance with applicable professional and data protection requirements, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Records may include dates of appointments; reasons for seeking therapy; assessments; treatment goals; progress; clinical notes and topics discussed; and billing information. You have the right to request access to your records and to request corrections where appropriate. Records will be maintained for seven years following your last contact, after which they will be securely destroyed, subject to any applicable legal, professional or other requirements. Records will only be released to third parties with your written authorisation or where disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.

 

13. Associates and Other Service Providers

Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. uses services provided by an accountant and virtual assistant. These service providers are required to comply with GDPR guidelines and are registered with the ICO. At times, Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. may work with associate psychologists to provide psychological services. Associate psychologists are always highly qualified, registered with the HCPC and the ICO and are fully insured.

 

14. Social Media and Professional Boundaries

To protect confidentiality and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on social networking sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn and similar platforms. Connecting with clients through social media may compromise confidentiality, privacy or the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. If you have questions or concerns about this, please discuss them with your psychologist.

 

15. Outcomes and Ending Therapy

Although we aim to help you work towards your therapeutic goals, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes. The effectiveness of therapy depends on a number of factors. Your psychologist will discuss your progress with you and consider whether any changes to the therapeutic approach may be beneficial. You are free to stop therapy at any time. Where possible, we encourage an appropriate ending process to support closure, with the length of the termination process depending on the length and intensity of treatment.

 

We may consider ending treatment following appropriate discussion with you if:

• therapy is not being effectively used;

• payment is in default;

• multiple appointments are missed; or

• we consider that another service would be more appropriate for your needs.

 

We will not ordinarily end the therapeutic relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons for doing so. Where appropriate, we may provide referrals or information about other qualified therapists or services. You are also free to seek support from another professional or referral source of your choice.

If you do not schedule an appointment for six consecutive weeks, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance, we will consider the professional relationship discontinued.

 

16. Client Rights

As a client, you have the right to:

• respectful and non-discriminatory treatment;

• information about your psychologist's qualifications and therapeutic approach;

• understand the fees, payment arrangements and relevant insurance matters;

• understand the expected duration, potential benefits and potential risks of therapy;

• refuse treatment or recommendations;

• ask questions about your therapy and progress;

• request access to and, where appropriate, correction of your records under applicable data protection legislation;

• confidentiality, subject to the limitations explained in these terms;

• terminate therapy at any time; and

• raise concerns through the appropriate professional or regulatory channels.

 

17. Changes to These Terms and Policies

Blue Skies Psychology Ltd. reserves the right to amend these terms and policies where necessary.

Where changes affect existing clients, we will communicate material changes with at least 30 days' notice where practicable.

 

Please read the terms and conditions above. If there is anything that you do not understand, feel uncomfortable with, or wish to discuss further please let us know in advance of our first session.