General Terms and Conditions (AGB)

Berlin Counselling – Bertine de Jongh — Last updated: July 2026

This is a non-binding English translation for the convenience of English-speaking clients. In the event of any discrepancy, the German version (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen) shall prevail.

Section 1 — Scope

These General Terms and Conditions apply to all treatment agreements between Bertine de Jongh (“the Practice”) and clients (“Client”). Sessions are provided as a private-pay service under the Practice’s licence as a Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie (non-medical practitioner for psychotherapy under German law) and do not constitute treatment by a licensed physician or a state-certified psychological psychotherapist.

Section 2 — Booking and Formation of Contract

(1) Booking an appointment through the online booking system constitutes a binding offer by the Client to enter into a treatment agreement.

(2) The agreement is only concluded once the Practice confirms the booking by email.

Section 3 — Cancellations, Notice Period, and Late-Cancellation Fee

(1) Booked appointments are reserved exclusively for the Client.

(2) Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made at least 48 hours before the scheduled appointment. Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are not counted toward this notice period.

(3) If a cancellation is made later than this, or in case of an unexcused no-show, the 50% of the session fee will be charged as a late-cancellation fee (§ 615 BGB, applied by analogy).

Section 4 — Fees and Payment

(1) The fee is due immediately following each session.

(2) Payment is made wither through the online booking system via card or on-site, cashless, by debit card, credit card, or smartphone payment (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay) via a card payment terminal.

(3) On request, an invoice will be issued in accordance with the GebüH (fee schedule for Heilpraktiker) for submission to a private health insurer or supplementary insurance provider. Reimbursement by German statutory health insurance is excluded.

Section 5 — Data Protection and Practice Management Software

(1) For scheduling, practice administration, and GDPR-compliant documentation, the Practice uses cloud-based practice management software. Data is stored encrypted on servers located in Germany.

(2) By booking an appointment, the Client consents to their data being processed for appointment management and to receiving automated appointment reminders by email or SMS. This consent may be withdrawn at any time with effect for the future.

(3) Data processing agreements under Art. 28 GDPR are in place with the service providers used (practice software and payment provider). Further details are set out in the Practice’s separate privacy notice.

Section 6 — Online Sessions (Video Consultations)

(1) The Practice offers the option of conducting sessions online via encrypted video consultation.

(2) The Client is responsible for meeting the minimum technical requirements on their side (stable internet connection, working camera and microphone, up-to-date browser). Technical issues within the Client’s area of responsibility that prevent or interrupt the session do not release the Client from the obligation to pay the full fee.

(3) The Client is strictly prohibited from recording the session, whether audio or video. Both parties must conduct the session in a private, undisturbed environment to ensure confidentiality.

Section 7 — Confidentiality

All information disclosed during treatment is subject to the Practice’s duty of confidentiality. Exceptions apply only in cases of acute risk to the Client or others, or where the Client has given explicit written consent to a disclosure. Further details are set out in the separate consent form / treatment agreement.

Section 8 — Liability

(1) Treatment does not replace conventional medical diagnosis or treatment. The Practice owes the professional performance of the agreed service, not a specific therapeutic outcome.

(2) The Practice’s liability is unlimited for intent and gross negligence, and for injury to life, body, or health. In all other respects, the Practice is liable only for breach of material contractual obligations, and in such cases liability is limited to foreseeable damage typical for this type of contract.

Section 9 — Final Provisions

(1) Amendments or additions to these Terms must be made in text form.

(2) Should any provision of these Terms be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

(3) These Terms are governed by the law of the Federal Republic of Germany.