Terms & Conditions

1. Contract Introduction

This is a terms and conditions contract between Victoria Kabungulu, MA, LPC, NURU Mental Health. and you, the client. This information will describe how I work and I encourage you to read it carefully.

2. Assessment

2.1 Initial Assessment Process

The therapeutic diagnositic assessment and treatment plan will usually take place in the first (and maybe second) session. I will ask bio-social questions abut your life, history, health, school/occupation, family, and more to get a well rounded view of you and your life. This will allow me to better understand why you have elected into therapy. From there, we will complete a treatment plan that will detail at least three goals, that we can standaridize and that you can accomplish. These goals will be relevant to the diagnosis or core concern that has brought you to therapy. The free, 15 minute consultation is not apart of the assessment and does not negate the assessment fee schedule.

2.2 Mutual Fit

The assessment is a great time for me to get to know you, but also for you to et to know me. I will go over my credentials, therapeutic modalities, and tell you about me so that you can vet me as your future mental health professional and we can both decide if we are a good therapeutic fit.

2.3 Client Concerns

Please utilize the therapeutic process to voice your concerns at any time of the therapeutic process, but especially in the assessment/beginning. I want to ensure that you are as informed about your treatment as you possibly can be. If you have any concerns about the therapeutic process, please feel free to contact me through your session, my phone number, or my email.

3. Regularity of Sessions

Usual session structure is as follows, unless you vocalize a need for a 30 minute or 45 minute session.

  • Session duration: 1 hour

  • Frequency of sessions: biweekly, weekly, or every other week

  • How time slots are reserved: through your simple practice account

  • It is important to engage in consistency throughout the therapeutic process.

4. Cancellation Policy and Planned Breaks

4.1 Regular Booking Policy

To book an therapy appointment, book through simple practice or vocalize your booking needs in a session and I can help book for you.

To book a private practice consulotation session, book through calendy.

4.2 Cancellation Terms

It is required that cancellations occur at least 24 hours in advance of a therapeutic session in order to avoid a late cancellation fee.

If you engage in a late cancellation of any kind, you will be charged the late cancel fee of $50.

Late cancellation fee may be avoided in certain circumstances of emergencies, illness, or other if proper documentation is provided. Please provide documentation as soon as possible.

4.3 Planned Absences

If you have a planned absence, please notify me as soon as possible. We can cancel you appointment if you plan on being out of the state. Please note that I cannot provide you therapy if you’re not in the state of Ohio. Please note that a planned absence, like a vacation for example, is not an excuse for a late cancellation.

4.4 Ad Hoc Sessions

Please note that if you want ad-hoc sessions, I cannot guarentee availability for your preferred time on my schedule. One-off, review, and flexibility for specific circumstances can be given, but please note that I will have to close your therapeutic case if I have not seen you in more than a month.

Consultations are usually on a ad-hoc basis so this rule doesn’t apply to private practice consultation.

5. Contact Outside Sessions

Please feel free to contact me through Simple Practice Messaging, my number, or my email. I will try to respond within 24-48 business hours. If you have an emergency, please call 911 or 988.

If I deem that your communication would be better suited for a session, I will let you know.

6. Payment

6.1 Payment Methods

I accept card payments via Simple Practice.

6.2 Payment Timing

Payment is required at the end of the session. Non-payment after three sessions will result in termination.

6.3 Missed Payment Policy

Missed payments will be due after your next session along with the dues of the session you just completed. Non-payment after three sessions will result in termination.

7. Therapist Absences

For planned absences, I will try to let you know 2 weeks in advance in order to allow for preparation.

For emergency situations, I will let you know why I missed the appointment as soon as possible.

You will not have to reimburse me if I miss your appointment for any reason.

8. Arrival and Late Attendance

Please try to arrive 5 minutes before your session start time in order to leave room for error and technical difficulties.

I will allow the session to happen if you are less than 15 minutes late to your appointment.

After 15 minutes, the session will be cancelled and you will be charged the no show fee of $75.

The procedure for no shows is that the $75 dollars will be charged immediately.

9. Safety

Please refrain from utilizing substances during sessions for safety reasons.

Please refrain from driving during sessions for safety reasons.

If I feel as though you are being unsafe for any reason during the session or that you would benefit from a wellness check, I maintain the right to contact my supervisor and/or emergency services.

I have the duty to make sure that you and others are safe.

10. Problems in Therapy

I recognise that many people who struggle with social anxiety, may feel uncomfortable telling me that they are not finding therapy helpful or finding it is not working on what they want. I encourage you to discuss this with me. It is incredibly important for me to know if you are not getting what you want from therapy, and I will not take any concerns raised like this with offense. On the contrary, I would welcome these discussions!

10.2 Formal complaints can be made to my accrediting body via https://cswmft.ohio.gov/.

11. Ending Therapy

11.1 If either you or I think it is time to end the therapy then a discussion should take place which would include how best to end the therapeutic relationship. If you do decide to terminate your therapy sessions, I will require as much notice as you find possible so we can work towards a healthy ending.

11.2 If for some reason I have to discontinue sessions, I will discuss this with you and discuss alternatives for support. I will remain responsible for your full records until such time as they require secure disposal (in accordance with the requirements of my professional body and prevailing legislation).

12. Confidentiality

12.1 All sessions are conditionally confidential. However, I am under legal obligation to:

  • inform appropriate agencies if I perceive you are a danger to yourself or to others

  • share information if required to do so under a court order or by law

  • disclose information if required to do so for the prevention, detection or prosecution of a crime

12.2 By signing this agreement and/or continuing with the first therapy session you give permission for me to hold your assessment information and any other information provided in the course of our work together. I will maintain this in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act, 1998 (as amended), clinical governance audit standards, requirements of my professional body and any other relevant legislation.

12.3 I am required to participate in supervision as part of my commitment to good practice and the duty of confidentiality extends to my supervisor/s. Any notes taken in supervision sessions are confidential and full names will not be used.

13. Extra Work

13.1 If you want me to write any reports or letters on your behalf, my time in preparing such reports will be charged at my hourly rate of $300. Please let me know in advance if you are seeking a professional letter of any kind or are seeking therapy as part of a legal claim.

14. Insurance

14.1 As an independent practitioner, I hold professional indemnity insurance.

15. Complaints

15.1 It is natural at times to experience feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction about the process of therapy; these should be discussed with me as described earlier (please refer to section 10.

16. Social Media and Confidentiality Policy

Social Media Presence

I maintain a professional presence on Instagram under the handle @nurumentalhealth for marketing, educational outreach, and sharing general information about psychology and mental health. This platform is used solely for professional marketing, outreach educational purposes. Additionally, I utilize the professional presence of @yougoodpodd on Instragram for my Podcast.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance. I commit to:

  • Never sharing any personal details or information from our therapy sessions

  • Never disclosing your identity or status as a client

  • Maintaining strict confidentiality regarding all aspects of our therapeutic relationship

Educational Content

As part of my professional commitment to mental health education:

  • I may reference therapeutic concepts, therapeutic techniques, or general themes that arise in clinical practice

  • Any such content will be presented in a general, anonymised manner

  • Specific details, identifying information, or personal circumstances will never be shared

  • No content will be traceable to any individual client or session

Communication Guidelines

For your privacy and to maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries:

  • Please do not attempt to communicate with me via Instagram or other social media platforms

  • Instagram messages are not regularly monitored and will likely be missed

  • All clinical communication should be conducted through:

    • Our scheduled sessions

    • The designated contact methods provided at the start of therapy and in this contract in section 5.

Social Media Boundaries

To maintain professional boundaries and protect your confidentiality:

  • I do not follow clients on social media platforms

  • Liking or commenting on my social media posts is at your discretion, but please be aware this may compromise your own privacy

  • If you choose to share or comment on my social media content, you do so at your own discretion

I understand that social media can blur professional boundaries. This policy aims to preserve the integrity of our therapeutic relationship while allowing me to share valuable mental health resources with the wider community. If you have any questions about these terms, please discuss them with me during our sessions!