Confidential & Ethical

1. Nature and Scope of Services

The psychologist provides individual psychological counseling, psychotherapy, and coaching services, delivered online, adapted to the specific realities of seafaring life: long voyages, separation from family, limited onboard privacy, and irregular connectivity.

The first session is an introductory consultation. It allows both parties to assess whether the services are appropriate for the client's needs. Where a different or specialized form of help is indicated, the psychologist will inform the client and, where possible, refer them to a suitable professional or service.

The psychologist works within the limits of their professional competence and only offers services for which they are qualified by education, training, and supervised experience, in line with the standards of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and national professional bodies.

2. Confidentiality

Everything discussed during the sessions is strictly confidential. The psychologist does not disclose any information about the client — including the fact that counseling is taking place — to employers, manning agencies, family members, or any third party, without the client's explicit written consent.

The content of sessions is not recorded without the client's prior written consent. Written records are kept in a secured, anonymized form in accordance with professional record-keeping standards.

The legal and ethical limits of confidentiality are: (a) a serious and imminent risk of harm to the client's own life or health; (b) a serious and imminent risk of harm to a third party; (c) suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child or other vulnerable person; (d) a binding order of a court or public authority. In these exceptional cases, the psychologist will, wherever possible, inform the client before any disclosure and disclose only the minimum information required.

When working online, both parties commit to holding sessions in a private setting. The psychologist works from a secure, private space and uses encrypted communication channels. The client is asked to ensure they are in a location where they cannot be overheard.

3. Informed Consent

The client enters counseling voluntarily and may withdraw consent and terminate the service at any time, without obligation to state a reason.

Before the first working session, the psychologist informs the client about the nature, purpose, and expected course of the services, the intended methods, the applicable fees, and the rules regarding cancellation and missed appointments.

If the client is a minor or a person under guardianship, the consent of the legal representative is obtained in accordance with applicable law.

4. Professional Relationship and Boundaries

The relationship between psychologist and client is strictly professional. Sessions, communications, and records serve exclusively the client's therapeutic or coaching goals.

The psychologist does not enter into any other significant relationship with the client — business, personal, or other professional roles — during the course of the services and for an appropriate period afterwards, in accordance with ethical guidelines on dual relationships.

Any conflict of interest, including prior acquaintance with the client or their employer, will be disclosed and addressed at the earliest opportunity.

5. Fees, Cancellation, and Missed Appointments

The applicable fee for each service is communicated transparently before booking. Payment terms are agreed at the time of the first appointment.

Appointments must be cancelled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations with less notice, or missed appointments without prior notice, may be charged in full, at the psychologist's discretion and in line with the conditions communicated at booking.

In cases of demonstrated financial hardship, the psychologist may agree on a reduced fee. Difficulties in paying should be raised openly and as early as possible.

6. Records, Data Protection, and Privacy (GDPR)

Personal data (identity, contact details, session records, and correspondence) are processed only for the purposes of providing the services and fulfilling legal obligations, in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Records are retained for the period required by the psychologist's professional regulations and national law, after which they are securely destroyed.

The client has the right to access their personal data, request rectification or erasure (where the law allows), and receive a copy of the data concerning them. Requests can be addressed to the psychologist using the contact details below.

Data is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing or any other purpose.

7. Professional Conduct and Ethics

The psychologist adheres to the ethical codes of the professional bodies to which they belong, including the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA) Meta-Code of Ethics, and applicable national standards of professional conduct.

The psychologist maintains their competence through continuing education, regular professional development, and ongoing supervision or peer consultation.

The psychologist does not discriminate on any ground, including but not limited to nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability, in accordance with the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.

8. Duty of Care and Emergencies

Online counseling does not replace emergency psychiatric care. If the client experiences an acute crisis — thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or a psychiatric emergency — they should immediately contact the local emergency services, the ship's medical officer or captain, or a crisis line in their country or flag state.

The psychologist makes the client aware of emergency contact options relevant to seafarers (e.g., the SeafarerHelp line and national crisis services) at the start of the services.

9. Complaints and Discontinuation

The client is entitled to raise any concern about the services directly with the psychologist; concerns are received openly and without prejudice to the client.

If a concern cannot be resolved directly, the client may address the professional ethics committee of the psychologist's professional association.

Either party may discontinue the services. When the psychologist judges that another form of help would serve the client better, they will discuss this openly and assist with referral.

10. Entering into Force

This contract takes effect upon the client's first booked session following the introductory consultation, and remains valid for the duration of the professional relationship.

Any changes to these terms will be communicated to the client in writing in advance and take effect for subsequent sessions unless the client objects.