This agreement. This agreement covers the service provided to you by Dr Sam Cockle. It is intended to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about participating in the service. It covers information about the service and what will be provided to you, and what is expected of you, including the terms and conditions of service. If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything before accepting this agreement, please contact me. Thank you.
My role and the service I provide. The service is provided by Dr Sam Cockle, Registered Health Psychologist (HCPC), Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow (BPS). The service is designed to support you if you have struggled with your weight, eating, or activity to find a clearer, more practical, and shame‑free way of approaching things in everyday life. Using evidence‑based psychology, I help you explore and understand the factors involved and build skills that support you day to day. Appointments are provided online via video call. I offer a limited number of appointments each week so that I can ensure that I give each client a quality service. These take place by prior appointment only. The usual minimum time between booking and appointment is 3-4 days, to allow me adequate time to prepare properly for your appointment. It may be longer than this before I can offer you an appointment, depending on availability.
Important limitations. The service is not an emergency or crisis service. I will aim to respond to queries as promptly as I can but to protect my own health and wellbeing, this will only be within my working hours and may be delayed during busier periods. This includes all channels of communication, including emails and WhatsApp messages. If you need crisis or emergency support, contact: NHS 111 or your GP; The Samaritans on 116 123; In an emergency call 999 or attend A&E. The service does not include any kind of formal diagnosis, although I can work with people with pre-existing diagnoses under certain circumstances (see section 5. Health conditions). Although the service may have beneficial indirect effects for those with mental health conditions, it is not a direct mental health treatment like therapy or counselling. The service is not intended as a substitute for ongoing support, nor is it a "quick fix", nor a promise to resolve everything in one short session. It is designed to provide insight into one specific issue, providing an evidence-based route forward.
Your part. Through this session, I aim to support you in the best way I can but getting the most out of it and making progress also requires engagement and commitment from you. We are in this together. Before your session, please respond to the pre-session questions promptly to give me adequate time to prepare for the session. Your responses here will shape our focus, so please consider them carefully. During your session, I understand that some things are unavoidable but would ask that you keep outside distractions to a minimum, for example, by putting mobile phones on silent. I ask that you engage and work with me during the session, and ask questions when you are not sure. After your session, it will be over to you to take the insights and action points gained forward. Should you require further support in doing this, please ask me about my other support services or visit my website at drsamcockle.co.uk
Health conditions & medications. Dr Sam Cockle should be made aware of any existing physical or mental health conditions or symptoms that may be relevant to the service being provided. This information should be provided prior to the session, to ensure I can incorporate your requirements into the service I provide. There are some conditions for which I would recommend other specialists, including but not limited to, diagnosed or suspected eating disorders. This is where I think you would be better supported by another professional. The service provided by Dr Sam Cockle is not intended to replace treatment or management of physical or mental health conditions recommended by other qualified healthcare professionals. The aim would be to find ways of supporting your existing provision in improving your health and wellbeing. Where applicable, I will talk to you about how the changes you are looking to make can fit in with this. If you have existing conditions, it is recommended that you seek medical advice before making changes, particularly if you are unsure about the impact of those changes. If you are using weight loss medications such as GLP-1s, please note that the service provided does not replace medical, dietary, or other professional support relating to your prescription. This service is intended for psychological and behavioural support only. You remain responsible for following the advice of your prescribing clinician and any other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Confidentiality. Dr Sam Cockle is committed to ensuring confidentiality, protecting your data and storing it securely. The policies and procedures used are in line with current data protection legislation and are reviewed annually or upon changes to legislation. Information shared in the course of the programme will be treated in the strictest confidence. There are certain exceptional circumstances in which I may need to break this confidentiality, largely where I am concerned about harm to you or others, or where I am made aware of criminal activity. Wherever possible I will speak to you first to inform you of my intentions. As part of my practice, I undertake regular supervision sessions. This helps me to maintain the quality of services by allowing me to reflect on my practice and gain advice where needed. In the course of these sessions, I may discuss the service I am providing to you, and your context, but in so doing I will not name you or provide other identifiable information. I will only ever ask you for information that is relevant to the service you are being provided, to protect your health and safety, maximise your enjoyment and achievements from attending, and to improve services for yourself and others. You are free to decline to provide any information that I ask for, without needing to provide a reason. Doing so will not prevent you from using the service unless it is an essential requirement that I have this information. If this is the case, I will inform you as such and you will be given further opportunity to decide whether you wish to provide the information or not. Details of how I handle, use, and store your personal information are available in the Privacy Policy. This also details your rights and what to do if you have a complaint. The Privacy Policy is available on the website at drsamcockle.co.uk or you can contact me to request a copy.
Fees. The fees for services are listed on the services page of the website. Fees are payable in advance to secure the session booking. Fees include the session and any associated administration. Where specified, follow-up notes summarising key insights and next steps may be provided. If you are in any doubt about what is included in the price you are paying, please do not hesitate to ask.
Bookings and payment. All payments are required in advance of services received. You will be directed to make payment online at the time of booking. Once payment is received the cancellation policy applies.
Cancellation. I understand that from time to time it may be necessary to cancel or change bookings made. Cancellations made 24 hours or more before the appointment time are fully refundable or transferable (can be changed to another day/time). Cancellations with less that 24 hours' notice are non-refundable and non-transferable. This excludes in exceptional circumstances, solely at the discretion of Dr Sam Cockle.
Withdrawing from the service. You are free to withdraw from the service at any time, without needing to provide a reason if you do not wish to. For sessions booked and fees already received, the cancellation policy applies. In very exceptional circumstances I may withdraw the service. Other options would always be explored first, and I would give you as much notice as I possibly could. Any unused fees paid would be refunded. I would aim to recommend an alternative service provider but availability could not be guaranteed.
Professional membership and registration. I am registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and I am a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). These organisations have checked my qualifications meet the required standards for a Registered Health Psychologist (HCPC) and Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and ensure I am suitably skilled to practice as such. They also require me to ensure I undertake continuing professional development, which means me refreshing and furthering my skills and knowledge and keeping up to date with developments in the field. You can confirm my registrations by searching their pages here: British Psychological Society (BPS); Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). I am registered as Dr Samantha Cockle. I am registered and insured to provide services in the United Kingdom.
Intellectual property. All documents and materials supplied during the service remain the intellectual property of Dr Sam Cockle. They should not be shared onwards without prior consent.
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