1. Scope
I, Dr. Brenda S. Butterfield, have been employed by you to facilitate the Mindful Living Practice Support Group. It is important to clarify the Mindful Living Practice Group (MLPG) is a practice group to support your health and well being. It is designed to be therapeutic but It is psychoeducation not group mental health therapy. Therefore, it is not a substitute for for psychotherapy, medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. The group is not designed to treat any specific condition, but rather to help you develop a different relationship with the stressors in your life.
Although we will be developing relationships by learning and growing together, we will explicitly not be "helping" or advising each other. The focus in the group will be on your health and well-being. You're encouraged to notice what comes up for you with an open, accepting, curious attitude toward oneself and others in the group.
2. Fee
Tuition of the class is offered on a sliding fee scale based on what you can pay. (Reduced fee $175, Full fee $265, Supporting fee $350).
Pay online using the Venmo app to send payment set up as bank to bank transfer to avoid credit card processing fees. Dr. Butterfield’s Venmo user name is Brenda-Butterfield (LINK TO VENMO). You can also send payment through Paypal (LINK TO PAYPAL).
When your online form and payment have been received, you will receive an email confirming your place in class.
3. Cancellations
I agree to be available for all scheduled group sessions. If for any reason I cannot facilitate a group session I will notify you via text or email as soon as possible. I reserve the right to cancel/postpone the group if a minimum of 9 participants do not register for the group. You will be given a full refund for registration fees paid if the group is cancelled/postponed. If you decide to drop the group before the 2nd session you will receive a refund of $220 of the registration fee. After the 2nd group session refunds will not be provided. Please note, the PayPal/Venmo processing fee is nonrefundable.
4. Attendance
The Mindful Living Practice Group is designed to be highly interactive and experiential. Therefore, attendance at each group session is essential. If you miss a group session you will not be able to make it up but you can request a link to watch the Zoom recording of the group session.
5. Active Participation
During the group we will work together to create a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow together. Most of what you learn from this experience will result from your active participation during groups and by completing home practices. Your participation in the group is voluntary. You may experience mental and/or physical discomfort during parts of the group. You will be invited to practice some mindful movements and yoga stretches as part of the group. It is your responsibility to do the exercises with awareness, paying attention to your body to prevent an injury.
6. Group Sessions Recorded
Each group session will be recorded by Zoom and a link to the recording can be requested from Dr. Butterfield. You agree to not share the recorded group session with anyone not a part of the group experience.
7. Hold Harmless
You are responsible for the care of your body, mind and soul throughout the course. You can stop participating in any activity at any time if you choose. You agree for yourself, your heirs, administrators, personal representatives, and assigns, to hold harmless the facilitator, Dr. Brenda S. Butterfield, and any and all of her associates, employees, volunteers, agents successors, or assigns, for any and all liabilities, losses, costs, claims, demands or causes of action, past, present and future, know or unknown, relating to any actions in the group or any harm, physical or mental, that results from your participation in the group, and agree to indemnify the released parties for all judgements, costs, attorney fees and other expenses incurred as a result of a breach of this agreement.
8. Confidentiality
I, Dr. Brenda S. Butterfield, follow the confidentiality ethics of the National Association of Social Workers as well as state and federal confidentiality laws. Specifically, this means that your confidentiality is secure with me. In cases of child abuse or intent of physical harm to self or others, I am bound by law to report or seek additional help.
You agree that all communication during this group experience is confidential. You agree to respect the privacy of others in class by not discussing anything that happens in group outside of group. You agree to not approach group members outside of group about anything said in group without getting permission from them first.
9. Temination
You understand that at her sole discretion, the facilitator, either in the interest of the group or of yourself may withdraw you from the group.
10. Informed Consent
You acknowledge that you have read this entire document, that you understand its terms and provisions, that it is a binding agreement, that by signing it you are giving up substantial legal right you might otherwise have, and that you are signing it knowingly and voluntarily.