Legal Notice

Business Information

Calmer Horizons is a private therapy practice offering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and related therapeutic services. Calmer Horizons is a sole tradership owned by Justin Simms-Hughes a registered therapist with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

Website Ownership and Content

The Calmer Horizons website and its content are owned by calmerhorizons.com All content including text, graphics, logos, images, and information is the intellectual property of Calmer Horizons unless otherwise stated.

All rights are reserved. Reproduction, distribution, or transmission of any part of the website content without prior written consent is prohibited, except as permitted by UK copyright law for personal, non-commercial use.

Professional Qualifications and Registration

Justin Simms-Hughes is a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist registered with BABCP. He is also a Nurse in Mental Health registered with NMC.

Disclaimer of Liability

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition.

Calmer Horizons makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information on this website but makes no warranties or representations regarding its accuracy. We disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience caused as a result of reliance on such information.

Therapeutic Services

Calmer Horizons offers therapeutic services requiring professional qualification and expertise. The effectiveness of therapy varies depending on individual circumstances and commitment. While we strive to provide the highest standard of care, no guarantee of specific outcomes can be provided.

Our therapeutic relationship is governed by our Terms and Conditions document, which clients are required to review and accept before commencing therapy.

External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by Calmer Horizons. We do not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information on these external websites.

Changes to Legal Information

Calmer Horizons reserves the right to modify this Legal Statement at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the website. Regular review of this statement is recommended to ensure awareness of any changes.

Governing Law

This Legal Statement and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Legal Statement, please contact:

Calmer Horizons
35 Iron Gate, Derby DE13GA
info@calmerhorizons.com
Tel: 07471193524

Last updated: 05/03/25

Terms and Conditions

Session Arrangements and Fees

1. Our therapy sessions are priced from £70 per session, with payment due on the day of your appointment.
2. During your initial assessment, we will determine whether Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is suitable for your particular circumstances. Should we conclude that CBT may not be the most effective approach for your needs, we may suggest alternative treatment options (potentially involving your GP where appropriate). We maintain the right to decline offering CBT in situations where we believe it would not be beneficial.
3. We reserve the right to decline service in instances where we assess that we lack the specific expertise or qualifications necessary to properly address your particular concerns.
4. Each standard therapy session lasts up to 50 minutes. In certain circumstances, sessions may be shorter or longer in duration.
5. If you arrive late for your appointment:
   • For delays under 15 minutes, we will conduct the remainder of the session, but must conclude at the originally scheduled end time to prevent disruption to subsequent appointments
   • For delays exceeding 15 minutes, we may need to cancel your appointment entirely, which could incur a charge
6. We understand that genuine emergencies occasionally arise. In the event of a last-minute cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, the therapist will use their discretion regarding fees. As a general policy, however, cancellations or postponements with less than 24 hours' notice may result in a charge.
7. We reserve the right to terminate therapy if session payments remain outstanding.

Attendance and Continuity of Care

1. Consistent attendance is essential for effective therapy. If appointments are frequently missed or cancelled, disrupting the continuity of treatment and potentially compromising its effectiveness, we reserve the right to conclude therapy. Following a missed appointment without prior notification, we will offer one further appointment. However, if subsequent appointments are missed without notice, or if there is a pattern of late cancellations that disrupts the therapeutic process, we may need to end therapy to allow other clients to access our services.
2. If you miss a session without contacting us within 48 hours, we will consider therapy terminated. Should you wish to resume therapy later, you may encounter waiting times before being able to restart.

Additional Costs and Funding

1. The session fee covers any written materials provided during therapy, but excludes the cost of any recommended books or external resources.
2. For clients using private healthcare to fund their treatment, therapy will only commence after written approval has been received from your healthcare provider or upon provision of a valid authorisation code.

Professional Standards and Confidentiality

1. As part of our commitment to maintaining high professional standards, we engage in ongoing professional development and regular clinical supervision. This may involve discussing aspects of your case, though always without using identifying details.
2. If we wish to record a session for professional purposes, we will always seek your prior consent. Similarly, if you wish to record sessions, this must be discussed and agreed beforehand, never conducted without permission.
3. We maintain strict confidentiality within the framework of our professional ethical codes and legal obligations. However, confidentiality cannot be maintained in circumstances where doing so would:

• Constitute a breach of the law
• Violate our professional ethical codes
• Present a clear risk of harm to yourself or others

In exceptional situations where your wellbeing or that of others raises serious concerns, it may become necessary to seek assistance outside our therapeutic relationship. In such cases, we would normally consult with you first whenever possible.

1. Certain disclosures automatically require a breach of confidentiality without prior discussion, including:

• Acts of terrorism
• Vulnerable adult or child protection issues
• Drug trafficking
• Certain previously unreported criminal matters

Such information will be promptly forwarded to the relevant authorities as legally required.

Communication and Professional Boundaries

1. Our relationship is strictly professional in nature. Communication between sessions should be limited to practical matters such as appointment arrangements. Due to limited working hours, we cannot respond to contact made outside our working times. Please note that we are not equipped to handle emergencies or urgent matters between sessions—in such situations, please contact your GP or emergency services, who can provide immediate assistance.

Record Keeping and Data Protection

1. Session notes will be taken during and after appointments and stored securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act. These records are maintained via a secure electronic system through a third-party provider. Notes are retained for 7 years before being securely disposed of. They remain confidential and are only disclosed to clinical supervisors or if legally required through a court subpoena. You have the right to review your records upon request.

Ending Therapy

1. The CBT process can sometimes be challenging, frustrating, or emotionally difficult. If you feel you wish to end therapy, we encourage you to discuss your concerns openly, allowing us to address any issues with the treatment approach. Typically, you will recognise when you are ready to conclude therapy, and together we can plan appropriately for this transition.

Additional Terms

1. Any threatening behaviour or acts of violence will result in immediate termination of this agreement and cessation of therapy. Sessions will not proceed if you arrive under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed substances.
2. We will inform you of any planned absences due to holidays. Occasionally, sessions may need to be cancelled due to illness, training events, or professional meetings. We will provide as much advance notice as possible in such cases and offer alternative appointment times. Please ensure you inform us of any changes to your contact details.
3. We cannot provide CBT therapy if you are currently receiving treatment from, or planning to begin work with, another psychological therapist. If this applies to you, please inform us as soon as possible. Should we become aware of such an arrangement, we reserve the right to end therapy.

These terms and conditions are subject to periodic review and may be updated.