Practitioner Agreement

This agreement sets out the expectations, responsibilities, and terms of working as a practitioner (therapist, coach, or allied professional) with LauraHow.com. By signing below, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.

1. Purpose

This agreement explains how referrals, bookings, payment, confidentiality, and marketing are handled, and outlines the standards expected when working under the LauraHow.com banner. Practitioners work as independent practitioners, not employees.

2. International Clients & Coaching Terminology

LauraHow.com works with clients internationally. Depending on your qualifications and the laws of the client’s location, your work may be described and delivered as coaching rather than therapy, to ensure compliance with local licensing regulations.

3. Professional Standards & Conduct

• Practise to a high professional standard, maintain appropriate boundaries, and work ethically and responsibly with clients.
• Hold valid professional indemnity insurance that covers your work (including online).
• Clinical work is your responsibility. We provide the platform, referrals, and marketing, but do not oversee clinical decisions.
• Engage in appropriate supervision/consultation for your client work.

4. Ethos & Clinical Support

Practitioners are expected to work broadly in line with the ethos and values of LauraHow.com: honest, practical, solution-focused, value-driven, and working courageously with clients. Alignment with this ethos will have been discussed during the interview process; no formal oversight is imposed beyond this.

Laura is available for guidance where appropriate. You’re welcome to email questions or seek input on complex cases at laura@laurahow.com at any time. In addition, one 60-minute supervision/consultation session with Laura per month is included free of charge. Additional sessions can be arranged by agreement.

5. Confidentiality, Record Keeping & Safeguarding

• Keep session notes brief, factual, and securely stored, in line with legal and ethical requirements in your jurisdiction.
• Maintain confidentiality except where there are safeguarding concerns, serious risk of harm, or legal obligations requiring disclosure (e.g. terrorism, serious crime, court orders).
• Where possible, inform the client before disclosure and document your decision.
• Practitioners are expected to act appropriately in safeguarding situations according to relevant laws and their professional standards.
• We may access limited administrative information (e.g., bookings, invoices, anonymised statistics) for operational purposes, but not your clinical records.
• Practitioners must handle client information securely and in line with applicable privacy and data protection laws in their jurisdiction.
• LauraHow.com handles personal data according to its Privacy Policy.

6. Client Agreement Awareness

All clients working with LauraHow.com agree to a standard Client Agreement before starting therapy or coaching. This sets out terms including confidentiality limits, safeguarding, cancellations, online session standards, and payment arrangements. Practitioners are expected to familiarise themselves with this document and work in accordance with its terms to ensure a consistent experience for clients and to avoid conflicting agreements.

View it here: https://laurahow.com/counselling-agreement/

7. Calendars & Availability

• We will set up your regular weekly availability windows in SimplyMeet.
• You must keep your connected calendar accurate by blocking out time for holidays, external work, appointments, or other commitments using Busy or Out of office.
• Do not use “Available” all-day events as they don’t block time. “Free” events (e.g., birthdays) also do not block bookings.
• During your working windows, any time not blocked will be treated as bookable. Double bookings caused by calendar mismanagement are your responsibility.
• Calendar syncing is essential if you also work elsewhere.

8. Online Sessions & Technology

• Maintain a stable internet connection, good lighting, clear audio, and a professional background.
• Zoom Pro (or higher) is required to avoid the 40-minute limit.
• All client communication must be via your @laurahow.com email account.
• We’ll support setup; for operational issues, contact russell@laurahow.com.

9. Fees & Payment

• Invoice monthly for sessions delivered at your agreed practitioner rate.
• Include dates, totals, a unique invoice number, and your bank details.
• Payments are made by bank transfer after reconciliation with booking data.
• We aim to process invoices promptly.

10. Revenue Split (Loyalty Model)

The initial split reflects the marketing, admin, and tech infrastructure we provide — including branded email, scheduling setup, invoicing support, active marketing via YouTube, podcast, newsletters, SEO, and referrals.

Your share increases automatically over time:

• Months 0–3: 60% practitioner / 40% LauraHow.com
• Months 3–6: 65% practitioner / 35% LauraHow.com
• Months 6–9: 67.5% practitioner / 32.5% LauraHow.com
• Months 12+: 70% practitioner / 30% LauraHow.com

Fee levels are reviewed regularly and may increase depending on caseload and demand.

11. Marketing, Referrals & Non-Solicitation

• We will promote you via the website, YouTube channel, podcast, newsletters, and SEO.
• You may be invited to participate in podcast episodes or other promotional activities related to your specialisms.
• Laura may refer clients directly when her caseload is full.
• All communication with LauraHow.com clients must be conducted via your @laurahow.com email address and through approved systems (e.g., SimplyMeet, Zoom). Personal contact details, alternative booking links, or external payment methods must not be shared.
• Practitioners must not direct LauraHow.com clients to their personal websites, social media, or alternative pricing structures.
• Any referrals arising from LauraHow.com clients (e.g., partners, family members, friends) must be referred through the platform, not managed independently.
• Upon termination, practitioners agree not to actively solicit or accept approaches from LauraHow.com clients for private work outside the platform for a period of 12 months, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Breaches of this clause may result in immediate termination of this agreement and, where appropriate, legal action to recover losses.

12. Termination

• Either party may terminate with reasonable written notice (e.g., four weeks).
• Immediate termination may occur in cases of misconduct, ethical breaches, or repeated failure to meet obligations.
• Existing booked clients should be honoured or handed over appropriately.

13. Complaints & Liability

• Practitioners are independent and responsible for their own clinical work, decisions, and insurance.
• Clinical complaints (therapy quality, boundaries, safeguarding, confidentiality, etc.) are the practitioner’s responsibility and must be handled through their own procedures and insurance.
• Administrative complaints are handled case by case:
  • If caused by a platform/system error, we will take responsibility.
  • If caused by practitioner error (e.g., calendar mismanagement), the practitioner is responsible.
• Data breaches are handled according to responsibility:
  • If caused by our systems, we are responsible.
  • If caused by the practitioner’s actions or devices, the practitioner is responsible.
• We will mediate where appropriate but do not accept liability for your clinical work.

14. Disputes

• Client complaints should first be addressed by the practitioner.
• If necessary, we may mediate between practitioner and client.
• Disputes between practitioner and platform should be raised in writing.
• If not resolved informally, legal jurisdiction will be England & Wales.

15. Amendments

We may update this agreement or related policies with reasonable notice. You’ll be informed of any changes and may terminate if you do not agree.