Scope of Practice
At Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy, we conduct business according to the values and statements embodied in our mission statement. We follow all required federal, state, an local laws as listed for our location in the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, and state of California.
Hypnotherapy is an educational, reformative self-improvement process that employs a variety of modalities to facilitate access to a client’s internal resources that assist them in solving problems, increasing motivation, or altering behavioral patterns to create positive change.
California does not have an explicit statute or regulation requiring licensure for hypnotists or hypnotherapy. California Business and Professions Code 2908 exempts “persons using hypnotic techniques” from the Psychology Licensing Act to do “vocational or avocational self-improvement” as long as they “do not treat emotional or mental disorders.” Section 2908 also exempts “persons using hypnotic techniques” when they are working under referral “of persons licensed to practice psychology, dentistry, or medicine.”
In keeping with the above, a hypnotherapist is not a licensed physician or psychologist and hypnotherapy services are not licensed by the State of California.
Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment or psychotherapy. Neither Stephanie Gans nor Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy practice medicine or psychotherapy, and our services are not a replacement for counseling, psychotherapy, or psychiatric or medical treatment. No service or product provided is intended to diagnose or treat any disease or illness, psychological or mental health condition.
Services are non-diagnostic and do not include the practice of medicine, neither should they be considered as a substitute for licensed medical or psychological procedures or services.
NOTE: Several presenting issues may require medical referral or therapist referral from a licensed medical/therapeutic professional.
Privacy
We collect your information (phone/email/text/address) for appointment reminders and communication. We store this information in a secure file. For Newsletter Opt Ins, limited contact information is stored with our email service provider (currently Send In Blue). Your credit card information will not be stored, unless requested, and will then be stored with the utmost security of our payment processor (not yet active). Documents and files submitted to us, for therapeutic purposes are stored digitally in a password protected file, and any paper is in a locked location. As of 2018 due to the legal state of hypnotherapy, Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy is not legally required to maintain HIPAA compliance or general confidentiality, however we strive to assure confidentiality unless otherwise required by a court of law. The agreement of confidentiality starts at the first consultation. Your information is stored with the utmost security available to us. Your information will never be shared or sold. Medical release paperwork authorizing the sharing of information to medical professionals will, of course, be honored with privacy in place.
Please note: The following WILL BE REPORTED (this list is not exhaustive):
Harm to self or others, which may include, but is not limited to:
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- Suicide: Suicidal ideation will be taken seriously as an immediate emergency
- Homicide: Homicidal ideation will be taken seriously as an immediate emergency
- Violent intimate relationship
- Bullying or threatening to harm (mental or physical) to another
- Potentially dangerous relationship (e.g. much older adult with a minor)
- Any suspicion of child or elder abuse including “consensual sex” between a minor and adult
Procedures
Free Initial Consultations: We offer brief (15-20 minute) initial consultation by phone. Consultations and consultation appointments must be made by the client, unless they are under the age of legal majority or are incapacitated. No sessions will be scheduled without having a prior consultation.
Drop-In Appointments: We do not offer Drop-In Appointments.
Emergency Appointments: Emergency appointments may be made, but may incur an elevated charge. Emergency appointments are only available to existing clients.
Financial
Fees and Payments: Fees are charged per session. Online sessions, and live sessions at the client’s location must be paid in full prior to the session proceeding. In-office sessions are to be paid prior to the session, or at the beginning of the session. No arrangements for payments past session date will be made. We have several methods in which payment may be rendered, which will be discussed during our Consultation.
Late Arrivals, Cancellation, Rescheduling
Late Policy: Clients are expected to be on time for their sessions. Any late time will cut into the available session time, and will adversely affect the effectiveness of the session. Late sessions will not be extended, as it would interfere with upcoming client appointments. If a session needs to be shortened or canceled due to late arrival, the full session fee remains payable in full.
Cancellation or Rescheduling: All cancellations or rescheduling of a session must take place at least 48 (standard business – Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm) hours before the session.
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- For cancellations or rescheduling made between 48 and 24 hours prior the appointment, a $50 fee will be payable prior to the next appointment. Note: For payments prior to the appointment, the $50 will be deducted, and the remainder will be refunded
- If the cancellation or rescheduling occurs under 24 hours prior the the appointment, the full session fee remains payable in full.
- Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an appointment at our discretion, however this will only occur with exceptional circumstances and with as much notice as is possible. We are not responsible or liable for any financial or other consequences of the cancellation.
- No Show: Any client who does not appear for the appointment will receive no refund.
Package Expiration: On occasion, session packages will be offered. All packages expire 4 weeks beyond the length of the package, based on the initial date of purchase. This flexibility is to allow for illness, travel, availability of the hypnotherapist and anything else unexpected that could arise. Occasional exceptions may be made, at the discretion of Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy, to extend these times when necessary for the client’s therapeutic needs. Please note that sessions will not be scheduled more than once per week (exceptions may be made at the discretion of Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy, only in the case of therapeutic necessity. These “extra” sessions will incur an additional fee.
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- Package Expiration (example):
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- 3 Sessions expire in 7 weeks from the purchase date.
- 6 Sessions expire in 10 weeks from the purchase date.
- 12 Sessions expire in 16 weeks from the purchase date.
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Refund Policy and Concerns: Our primary goal is to offer hypnotherapy services in a caring and professional manner. If you are displeased with a session or our services, please discuss your concerns with us as a first course. We strive to have clients who benefit from our work and who are satisfied and pleased with our offices and services. We may issue refunds on a case-by-case basis if we believe our services were not rendered up to our ethical and professional standards.
Package services are not refundable once paid – that is to say, if you pay for a package and choose not to (or are unable to) schedule and complete all sessions purchased within the allotted time, your funds will not be refunded. If you have any questions about our refund policies, you are encouraged to ask them before buying a package or scheduling a session.
Warranties/Guarantees
Hypnotherapy is not a warrantied service. It is a collaborative treatment, that is concurrently dependent on individual clients’ commitment and practice. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied by this Fine Tuned Mind Hypnotherapy.
Discrimination:
We do not tolerate discrimination based on characteristics such as age, sex/gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity/expression, HIV status, veteran status, national origin, disability, or religious beliefs. We also do not tolerate harassment by our clients or our employees. Any prospective client who is found to be harassing or threatening or insulting employees of this practice will not be welcome in the practice and if harassment continues, their name will be provided to other small businesses and if enough information is provided will have appropriate charges filed. Any client who is found to be abusing employees will be terminated from the practice.