TERMS & CONDITIONS

INTRODUCTION

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! This website, www.thepillarsnaturopathy.com is owned and operated by Dominique McGuire (ABN: 80 164 287 403). If you have any questions or need further information, please email Dominique at hello@thepillarsnaturopathy.com

This document sets out the Terms and Conditions you need to be aware of when using this website, booking appointments, or purchasing from me. Please take a moment to read it, as it sets out the terms of our relationship so that we may benefit from clear boundaries and knowing what to expect from each other.

When you visit this website or use my services, you agree that you are over the age of 18 and willing to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you don’t agree, you should not continue to visit this website or schedule an appointment with me.

All products and services advertised on this website are offered in compliance with Australian Consumer Law.

I’m constantly evolving my business and my offerings, so these Terms & Conditions may be changed or modified from time to time. Please check back regularly to ensure you are aware of any changes.

There may be additional, specific terms of service provided to you in relation to my services, such as consultations. If there is any inconsistency between this document and those specific terms of service, these Website Terms & Conditions are overruled to the extent of the inconsistency.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

On this website and in my social media accounts, I provide information about nutrition, lifestyle interventions, herbal medicine, and a naturopathic approach to health. This content is provided solely for your education and personal development to improve your understanding of how to incorporate healthy practices into your daily routine to better your health and well-being.

Content Policy

I conduct extensive research in order to provide content that I believe to be valuable and true, but I have no responsibility for the use that you make of that information.

Please be aware that the generalised information I provide is not a substitute for specialist advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

There is no professional relationship formed by your visit to my website unless you explicitly choose to work with me by purchasing my services, such as a naturopathic consultation.

Any testimonials or results I may display on this website are based on my experience and those of my previous clients. As a naturopath, I believe that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and therefore these testimonials are not guarantees that anyone else will achieve the same results.

While I take all reasonable care to ensure that the content I create is accurate, relevant, and up to date, I make no guarantees and disclaim any legal liability for inaccuracy, incompleteness, or error. I do strive to ensure there are no errors on my social media posts and website, however if you do find something that seems problematic or incorrect, please reach out as I’d love to amend any inaccuracies to prevent potential misinterpretation.

I may modify my content at any time, including altering or deleting it without notice.

Visitor Responsibilities

You are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing while browsing the internet. Do not act on anything you read without first conducting your own research, consulting appropriately qualified professionals, and making informed choices about what is right for you, based on your personal circumstances.

I wish I didn’t have to say this… but, as a user of my website, you agree not to behave maliciously, spam any other user, post defamatory content about anyone, infect any aspect of my website with malware, hack into any part of my website where you don’t have my permission to be, or use my website for any purpose other than consuming my content, engaging in my programs, and purchasing my products or services. You also agree not to use my website or content in any way that is unlawful or harmful to any other person or business. If you do, I have the right to refuse you service and ban you from accessing my website or social media.

Downloads

This site may offer paid and free downloads. While I take cybersecurity seriously and make every reasonable effort to ensure these downloads are safe and hassle free, I am not responsible for any viruses or other damage which might occur as a result of you downloading material from this site. Please make safety your priority and ensure you have adequate protection against viruses and other malicious attacks that may occur without my knowledge or consent.

External Links

Occasionally, I may provide links to external sites to provide references or further information. I have no control over the information provided on these sites, and the links are solely for your information, education, and/or entertainment. I do not endorse any products they offer for sale and have no relationship with them unless otherwise clearly notified.

DISCLAIMER FOR SERVICES

There are a number of ways you may choose to work with me that are available to purchase or schedule through my website. The terms and conditions in this document apply to all of my services and products unless alternative terms are explicitly provided to you.

I offer:

Naturopathic Consultations

My intention in offering these services is to support you with improving your health and wellbeing.

Why Work with Me?

I am a qualified Clinical Naturopath who has successfully completed studies of Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) at Endeavour College of Natural Health. I am a member of Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA), which means that I have met the education criteria to join this association and I have a professional responsibility to practice adhering to their Code of Conduct standards. This ensures that clients are provided with safe and effective care. As a NHAA member, I am also required to meet the highest standards of education and training, meaning that I must complete numerous Continued Professional Development hours each financial year to maintain my membership.

I believe it is my responsibility to conduct consultations in a professional, safe, and ethical manner, as well as prioritise informed consent for my clients. I will only practice within my scope of practice, and should your needs exceed my qualifications, I will refer you to another practitioner who will help to provide positive health outcomes.

What I Expect from You

My clients are required to be open-minded about potentially modifying aspects of their diet and lifestyle to facilitate healing. My role is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to enhance your health, however, it is crucial to acknowledge that the responsibility for implementing these strategies lies with you. Together, we form a collaborative partnership where I guide and educate, and you take proactive steps towards improving your well-being. By fostering this dynamic relationship, we can work towards achieving optimal health and wellness.

If you’re looking for a quick fix without potentially changing the habits that are influencing your health, naturopathy may not be the right fit for you.

More information about my approach can be found here.

Important information about how to get the most value out of working with me is set out below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me here before proceeding with your purchase.

Important Information

Naturopathy is an evidence-based modality, however there are risks associated with any medical or complementary medicine interventions. After commencing treatment, if you experience new symptoms, side effects, or are unsure about your treatment plan, please contact me immediately and I will guide you through this.

As much as I’d love to wave my magic wand and resolve your presenting condition in a 60-minute consultation, it’s possible that it may take a significant amount of time to notice results. I endeavour to provide my clients with realistic expectations to prevent disappointment.

My naturopathic approach understands the significant role mental health can play in your presenting symptoms; however, I am not a psychologist, nor do I have extensive education in psychological care. If I believe that I am unable to provide you with the support you require, I may refer you to a General Practitioner, Psychologist or another appropriate practitioner based on your needs. Your safety is of the utmost importance to me, and If I believe that your welfare is at risk, I may be required to contact emergency services.

If any concerns arise during our work together, I strongly recommend you seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

You will get the most out of working with me if you are…

open minded to making changes that will better your health.
ready to take responsibility for your choices.
willing to put in the hard work to see results.
open and honest about your diet and lifestyle, so that I can help you to the best of my ability – there’s seriously no judgement from me, and I mean it! I’ve seen it all!

You might not be a good fit for this work if…

you’re unwilling to make changes to your current lifestyle despite it influencing your overall health. I will only ever recommend treatment options that I believe will help reduce the severity of your symptoms and/or improve your short- and long-term health. I am always happy to compromise, adapt to suit your needs, and meet you where you currently are, so please let me know if you’re struggling to implement these changes and I’ll do my best to accommodate your needs to help you reach your health goals.

INDEMNITY

I do not make any guarantees or warranties about the accuracy of any material displayed on this website, or the products, services, or programs offered through it, except for any non-excludable consumer guarantees and other consumer protection provisions set out in the Australian Consumer Law. I am human and errors creep in despite the best of intentions. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, please let me know.

While I make all reasonable efforts to ensure that this website and my services meet with the highest standards of best practice, if something does go wrong that is not a direct result of my negligence, misrepresentation or deliberate fault, you agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of or related to my website, any products or services purchased through it, or any material posted on it, irrespective of whether such damages were foreseeable, and regardless of the nature of the claim.

You take full responsibility for your implementation of any suggestions that I may make while providing my services. You understand that my advice is limited to providing you with options for your consideration, and that you are solely responsible for any actions that you choose to take. Always consult your own values and vision, do your own research, and check with appropriately qualified professionals before making major decisions or making significant changes. You agree to indemnify me against all consequences arising directly or indirectly from your choices.

You expressly agree that if this indemnity is unenforceable for any reason, my total cumulative liability for all causes of action of any kind shall not exceed the amount that you have paid to me.

PAYMENT TERMS

All prices on my website are in Australian dollars and are not subject to GST.

All payments made through my website and appointment booking link are processed using Stripe. If you have any issues with this payment method, please reach out so I can arrange an alternative for you.

I do not have access to your account details. Any financial information that you enter is stored under Stripe’s security policy.

Payment is due within 48 hours from the time and date of receiving the invoice, should you receive an invoice for consultations or supplement orders. If I have not received payment after 48 hours, I will send you a reminder. I will continue to send reminders every three days after that until payment is received. After the first reminder, an administrative fee of 5% (inc. GST) of the invoice cost will be added to the total amount due for every reminder sent. If there is a problem with payment, please contact me as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements and avoid incurring this administrative fee.

Payment plans may be arranged for your convenience, so you can spread your payment out over time. You are still committed to paying the whole amount, even if you change your mind about your purchase, as you have had access to my intellectual property, and I have completed the work for you. It is your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient funds to make payment instalments on time.

If an invoice is more than 28 days overdue, you agree to pay all costs, including debt collection agency fees and solicitor’s costs, that I may incur in taking steps to recover any money that you owe to me, regardless of whether legal proceedings are issued in relation to the debt.

REFUND POLICY

I do not offer a refund if you change your mind, so you are encouraged to consider carefully whether a purchase is right for you before you make your payment. If you’re no longer available for your scheduled appointment, I can assist you in rescheduling to a time that suits you better, however I must be notified with more than 48 hours’ notice before your scheduled appointment to prevent incurring a cancellation fee (please see appointment policies below).

I use third-party suppliers to fulfil my orders of herbal medicines and supplementation. If you have received an incorrect order, a missing product, or a broken product (as some products may be in glass bottles), please let me know as soon as possible so I can resolve this for you.

In the event of an adverse reaction to prescribed products, please get in contact with me immediately so that I can assess the situation and provide support as required.

I take my obligations under Australian Consumer Law seriously and will do my best to address any issues that arise. However, even if there is a major problem, my liability is strictly limited to:

replacing the goods or providing the services again; or
if I unable to do so within a reasonable time, refunding the full amount that you have paid to me.

If you feel that there is any problem with my services, please let me know within 48 hours. I am keen to understand what has gone wrong if you are unhappy so that I can address your concerns and try to find a mutually acceptable solution. I will always endeavour for my clients to have a positive experience using my services, and I take feedback very seriously to continually improve what I have to offer as a naturopath.

DELIVERY

If anything is unclear or confusing, I encourage you to reach out to me so I can provide clarification.

Postage charges are determined by third-party supplier companies which I use for my prescriptions. If you have any issues with the postage of your ordered products, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can investigate this with the company.

APPOINTMENT POLICIES

The full payment of the consultation is required prior to completing your booking. Bookings cancelled within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment will incur a 50% cancellation fee, and cancellations within 12 hours of the scheduled appointment will incur a 100% cancellation fee. This is due to the preparation I do prior to your appointment, and having more notice allows me to help someone else in the time that has been reserved for you.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond your control which prevent you from attending your scheduled appointment, please notify me as soon as possible to discuss further.

Failing to attend your appointment will result in a 100% cancellation fee.

Due to the nature of online appointments, please ensure that you’re in a private, quiet area. A café or public space is not suitable. To help me assist you to the best of my ability, I need your full attention, so please reschedule if you are going to be driving or supervising young children.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Copyright & Trade Secrets

You may store, print, and reproduce the publicly available content that I supply solely for your own personal use, and only if I am clearly acknowledged as the source.

Commercial exploitation of my content in any way that competes with my business is strictly prohibited.

You may link to content on my website or social media profiles, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage my reputation or take advantage of it. However, you must not suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on my part where none exists.

Trademarks

I own the unregistered trademarks, logos, and service marks displayed on this website, including The Pillars Naturopathy™ and The Pillars™. These trademarks may not be used in connection with any other product or service without a licence, or in any way that is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace, or in any manner that disparages my business.

RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

I reserve the right to moderate any comments made on this website, in the Facebook Groups I control, and on any of my social media pages and profiles, including deleting comments that I deem to be rude, offensive, spammy or unacceptable, without any notification or correspondence with you. Keep all communication kind and polite, please.

Disrespectful or aggressive behaviour towards me or anybody else will not be tolerated.

If a dispute arises, you agree to refrain from engaging in any public discussions regarding the matter, communicate with me in a polite and respectful manner and avoid any behaviour or communication that could reasonably be expected to negatively impact my business or personal interests. I make a similar commitment to you.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION & JURISDICTION

If you have any concerns, issues, or complaints arising out of your use of this website, my products or services, or these terms and conditions, you agree to communicate with me with the intention of making a genuine effort to seek a win/win solution and trying to resolve the dispute in good faith through negotiation and discussion. Please email me at hello@thepillarsnaturopathy.com and expect a response within 2 business days.

If the dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation and discussion within 14 days, you agree to proceed to mediation with the assistance of an independent accredited mediator, seeking mediation online or by telephone if anyone would need to travel for more than an hour to attend the mediation.

If there is a problem, you agree to meet with me in good faith to discuss it and try to make a genuine effort to find a win-win solution. If the problem cannot be resolved within a reasonable time, you agree to pursue mediation and alternative methods of dispute resolution, with litigation being a last resort. I commit to making a similar effort to resolve any disputes in a friendly manner.

If a dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation and discussion, you may access the complaints procedure offered by NHAA here.

These Website Terms & Conditions are subject to the governing law of New South Wales. Regardless of where you live in the world, you irrevocably agree that if the dispute resolution processes fail, the courts of New South Wales, and the Commonwealth of Australia, will have exclusive jurisdiction.

THANK YOU

Thank you for reading and respecting my terms and conditions. This document was created with the support of Carefree Counsel. Copying it without permission is an infringement of my copyright and Carefree Counsel’s.