Nuvana Terms & Conditions + Informed Consent

Last Updated: 14-11-25

Welcome to Nuvana.

Choosing therapy is an act of courage, a quiet turning toward oneself. These Terms & Conditions are written to help you understand how therapy works, what you can expect, how your rights are protected, and how we hold space with safety and care.

They also serve as your Informed Consent Form, as required under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, the RCI ethical code, and other applicable laws in India.

By enrolling for a session, booking an appointment, or making payment, you are kindly understood to have read, agreed to, and accepted these Terms & Conditions in full.

1. About the Psychologist

Therapy at Nuvana is offered by Ms. Bhavya Ghai — Counselling and Rehabilitation Psychologist (RCI Licensed), PhD Scholar, and mental health researcher based in New Delhi.

Qualifications:

Master’s in Counselling Psychology
Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology
RCI Registration
Doctoral Research in Psychology

Bhavya holds an eclectic, evidence-based, trauma-informed, disability-affirmative, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative approach, creating a gentle and inclusive environment for emotional exploration.

2. Nature, Purpose & Scope of Therapy

Therapy is a collaborative process where you and the therapist explore thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and patterns that shape your life. This space is reflective, non-judgmental, and supportive.

Sessions are approximately 50 minutes, online or in-person
Therapy is not medical treatment
The therapist does not prescribe medication or provide clinical diagnosis
Every client’s journey is unique; no promise or guarantee of cure is made
The pace of progress may vary from person to person, and that is completely normal

Therapy invites openness and patience as you build self-understanding and emotional clarity.

3. Wellness Service, Not Crisis Care

Nuvana provides wellness-oriented psychological services, not emergency or crisis response.

This means therapy:

is not suited for immediate crisis intervention
cannot offer 24x7 monitoring or emergency support
is not responsible for managing life-threatening situations

Clients may sometimes experience suicidal thoughts, overwhelming distress, or engage in self-harm. While these experiences can be discussed with care and sensitivity during sessions, Nuvana and the therapist are fully indemnified against any self-harm, suicide attempts, or actions taken by the client at any time before, during, between, or after sessions.

If you experience an emergency or immediate danger, please reach out to:

Emergency Services (India): 112
iCall (TISS): 022 2552 1111
Sneha Foundation: 044-2464 0050
Vandrevala Helpline: 9999 666 555

Therapy may continue alongside crisis support, but therapy itself is not a substitute for emergency care.

4. Booking, Rescheduling & Cancellation

Sessions should be booked 48 hours in advance
Payments must be made at least 24 hours before the session
Cancellations made within 24 hours are considered no-shows
No-shows are fully chargeable
Missing three consecutive sessions without communication may lead to termination

In the event that the therapist must reschedule, you will be informed at the earliest and offered an alternative slot.

5. Fees, Payments & Refund Policy

Sessions are confirmed only after advance payment
Payments accepted via UPI, GPay, Paytm, or Bank Transfer
Payments are non-refundable
If rescheduled with appropriate notice, the payment can be carried forward
Emergency sessions may have separate pricing when available

6. Confidentiality & Privacy

Your privacy is treated with utmost care. All information shared in therapy remains confidential in accordance with:

Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (Sections 23–24)
RCI Code of Ethics
Indian Contract Act, 1872
Telemedicine Guidelines, 2020

Exceptions to Confidentiality:

Risk of harm to self or others
Abuse disclosure (child, elder, vulnerable adult)
Law or court orders mandate disclosure
Anonymous supervision for professional development
Medical or legal emergencies

No session is recorded without explicit written consent. All records are stored with care and protection.

7. Digital & Teletherapy Guidelines

For online sessions:

Encrypted platforms like Zoom or Google Meet are used
Clients must maintain privacy at their end
Technical issues or disruptions are not therapist’s liability
Participation implies consent to teletherapy as per MoHFW guidelines (2020)

8. Supervision & Professional Development

Bhavya participates in clinical supervision and peer review. All supervision information is anonymised to ensure confidentiality.

9. Client Rights & Responsibilities

Your Rights:

Safe, affirming, and inclusive therapy environment
Right to ask questions anytime
Right to withdraw from therapy
Right to receive referrals or summaries
Right to dignity, respect, and compassion

Your Responsibilities:

Attend sessions on time
Make timely payments
Be honest and open
Respect therapeutic boundaries
Seek emergency support when needed

Therapy grows best when both client and therapist honour the shared space.

10. Indemnification & Liability

By enrolling in therapy, you acknowledge and agree that:

The therapist cannot be held liable for self-harm, suicide, or harm to others
Therapy does not replace psychiatric or emergency care
Nuvana and the therapist are indemnified against all related claims
Responsibility for personal safety rests with the client
Therapy outcomes are not guaranteed

This clause is aligned with the protective intent of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

11. Termination of Therapy

Therapy may be ended by either the client or therapist at any time. A final closure session is encouraged to provide emotional continuity, reflection, and referrals where needed.

12. Legal & Ethical Compliance

Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020
Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Indian Contract Act, 1872

Therapy is provided strictly within ethical, legal, and professional standards.

13. Informed Consent

By booking a session, making payment, or continuing therapy, you confirm that you:

Have read and understood these Terms & Conditions
Voluntarily consent to therapy with Ms. Bhavya Ghai
Understand therapy’s purpose, limitations, and non-emergency nature
Accept the confidentiality policy and exceptions
Agree to payment, refund, and cancellation rules
Acknowledge indemnification and liability clause
Consent to online therapy (where applicable)

Your participation is taken as full acceptance of these terms.

14. Contact Information

Practice: Rajouri Garden, New Delhi
Online: India & Worldwide
Phone: +91 9289038100
Email: hi@bhavyaghai.com
Instagram: @therapywithbhavyaghai | @nuvanamentalhealthcare