Terms and Conditions

Purple Blossom Counselling

These terms and conditions explain how this website is used and the basis on which counselling services are offered by Purple Blossom Counselling.

By using this website (www.purpleblossomcounselling.co.uk), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms. If anything here feels unclear, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

About This Website

This website is owned and operated by Laura Stoops. Purple Blossom Counselling is a counselling service offering one-to-one counselling for adults.

The information on this website is provided for general information only and is not intended to replace medical, psychological, or mental health advice.

While care is taken to keep the content accurate and up to date, no guarantee is given that all information will always be current or complete.

Counselling Services

Counselling sessions provide a supportive space to explore your experiences, but Purple Blossom Counselling is not a crisis service.

If you are in immediate danger or need urgent support, please contact 999, call 111, or visit your nearest A&E. I am a registered member of the BACP and NCPS and work according to their ethical frameworks.

Professional Boundaries

To protect the therapeutic relationship and your privacy, I do not accept friend or follow requests on personal social media accounts.

While I aim to respond to administrative messages via Kiku or email within 48 hours during working days, I am unable to provide therapeutic support between our scheduled sessions.

For more details on digital communication, please see my full Digital Policy.

Free Initial Chat

A free initial chat is offered as an informal opportunity to ask questions, understand how counselling works, and explore whether it feels like the right support for you.

There is no obligation to continue into counselling following this conversation.

Appointments and Cancellations

Details about session length, fees, and cancellation notice periods will be discussed clearly before counselling begins and confirmed directly with you.

If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, please provide as much notice as possible. This helps ensure the time can be offered to someone else.

Booking Process

Sessions are managed through the Kiku Practice Management System. When booking, you will be asked to provide your digital agreement to my full Working Agreement, which includes detailed policies on privacy, data storage (GDPR), and session endings.

How I manage your bookings

I use two specialist, secure platforms to manage my diary and keep your data safe. This ensures your journey from our first meeting to our ongoing work is professional and private.

For our '15-minute first hello': I use Google Appointment Scheduling. This is a secure system designed for brief introductions. If we decide to work together after this chat, I will then invite you to the Kiku platform.
For our Counselling Sessions: I use Kiku, a GDPR-compliant practice management platform. When you book a session, you will be invited to create a private client portal. This allows you to manage your appointments, view invoices, and update your details in one safe place.

Your Choice & Accessibility:

I understand that digital platforms can sometimes feel like a barrier. If you find the technology daunting, or if you simply prefer a more personal touch, please contact me directly. I am always happy to manage your bookings and registration manually on your behalf.

Counsellor Books Your Session

If I book a session for you, Kiku will send you an email to confirm the booking. To make payment you can log into your Kiku account (if you have chosen to set one up), otherwise you will receive an invoice via Quickbooks and you will be required to pay at least 24 hours before the session.

Questions About Booking Sessions

If you have any questions or concerns about booking sessions, please feel free to get in touch:

Laura Stoops
📞 07342 498730
✉️ laura@purpleblossomcounselling.co.uk
📍 Belfast, BT8 6XW

Online Therapy Platforms

For all online video consultations, I use Google Meet, which is hosted within a professional Google Workspace environment. This platform is chosen specifically for its robust security and privacy features suitable for clinical work.

Encryption: All video and audio data is encrypted in transit by default between your device and Google's servers.
Data Protection: I have a Data Processing Amendment in place with Google, which ensures they act only as a data processor. Your data is not used for advertising or sold to third parties.
Privacy Controls: I do not record sessions, and Google does not store video or audio of the meeting unless a recording feature is manually activated by me (which would only occur with your prior written consent for specific purposes like training or supervision).
Access Security: Sessions are protected by unique, 10-character meeting codes to prevent unauthorised access.

Lawful Basis for Processing

Under the UK GDPR, I process your data on the following legal basis:

Contractual Necessity: To provide the therapeutic services you have requested, including the delivery of online sessions via Google Meet.
Legitimate Interests: To maintain professional standards, manage appointments, and ensure the security of our digital communications.
Special Category Data (Health): I process sensitive health data under the condition of providing healthcare or social care (clinical therapy).

Your Role in Digital Privacy

While I ensure security at my end, you also play a role in protecting your own privacy during our sessions:

Secure Connection: Please avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks for our sessions.
Private Space: Ensure you are in a location where you cannot be overheard and will not be interrupted.
Hardware: Use a personal device rather than a shared or work-issued one wherever possible.
No Recording: To protect the privacy and therapeutic integrity of our work, you agree not to make any video or audio recordings of our sessions.

For more information please read my full Privacy, Cookie, & Digital Policy.

Cancellation Policy

A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule any session. If less than 24 hours' notice is given, the full session fee will be charged.

For more details on refunds and rescheduling, please see my full Cancellation & Missed Session Policy.

Confidentiality and Data

Counselling sessions are confidential, and your privacy is taken seriously.

There are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, including situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or where disclosure is required by law. These limits will be explained clearly before counselling begins.

I keep brief session notes and contact details securely in line with UK data protection laws. For full details on how your data is stored and your rights, please read my full Privacy Policy.

Suitability and Referrals

Your wellbeing is always the priority. If at any point counselling with Purple Blossom Counselling is not felt to be the best fit for your needs, this will be discussed with you openly and respectfully. Where appropriate, support will be offered to help you explore alternative options.

Accessibility

I am committed to making counselling inclusive and sensory-informed. I offer adjustments such as low lighting, scent-free spaces, and wheelchair-accessible rooms.

You can find full details in my Accessibility Statement.

Clinical Integrity

I have a 'Clinical Will' in place so that in the unlikely event I am suddenly unable to work, a trusted professional colleague will contact you to ensure your continued care.

If you have any concerns about our work that we cannot resolve together, you can access my professional body's complaints procedure via the BACP or NCPS websites.

Practice Premises and Security

My practice is located in a private garden room. Please be aware that there is no indoor waiting area or bathroom facilities on-site; I kindly ask that you arrive no more than 10 minutes before your session. For our mutual safety and the security of the private residence, a video doorbell is in use at the front entrance which you will pass to access the garden. These recordings are encrypted, stored securely, and automatically deleted after 30 days.

Intellectual Property

All content published and made available on this website is the property of Laura Stoops and Purple Blossom Counselling. This includes, but is not limited to, text, images, logos, documents, and downloadable files.

Content may not be copied, reproduced, or used without prior written permission.

Complaints

If you have any concerns about our work, I encourage you to speak with me directly so we can resolve them. If we cannot reach a resolution, you can access the formal complaints process through my professional bodies, the BACP or NCPS.

You can find full details of how to raise a concern in my Complaints Procedure.

Links to Other Websites

This website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Purple Blossom Counselling.

I am not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third-party websites. You are encouraged to review the terms and privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

Limitation of Liability

Purple Blossom Counselling and Laura Stoops will not be liable for any actions, claims, losses, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of this website.

Use of this website is at your own discretion.

Indemnity

Except where prohibited by law, by using this website you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Laura Stoops from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the site or any breach of these terms.

Applicable Law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Northern Ireland.

Severability

If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, that part will be removed without affecting the remaining terms, which will continue to apply.

Changes to These Terms

These terms and conditions may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or the way the website and services operate.

Contact Details

If you have any questions or concerns about these terms, please feel free to get in touch: