AfriTherapy – Terms and Conditions

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using AfriTherapy.

By accessing or using AfriTherapy (the “Platform”), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree, you should not use AfriTherapy.

1. About AfriTherapy

AfriTherapy is an online platform that connects individuals with mental health professionals and wellness practitioners across Africa and beyond. AfriTherapy:

• Provides tools for discovering, contacting, and booking professionals
• Facilitates secure digital communication and payments
• Hosts educational and wellness-related content

AfriTherapy does not provide direct medical, psychiatric, or psychological services. All therapeutic or coaching services are provided by independent professionals who are responsible for their own practice.

2. Definitions

For clarity in these Terms:

• AfriTherapy, we, our, us – refers to the AfriTherapy platform and its operating entity.
• Platform – the AfriTherapy website, mobile views, tools, and related services.
• User, you, your – any person accessing or using AfriTherapy, whether as a client, visitor, or professional.
• Client – a user seeking or receiving services from a professional through the platform.
• Professional, Therapist, Provider – any mental health professional, life coach, counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or related practitioner listed on AfriTherapy.
• Services – all features provided by AfriTherapy, including directories, booking, messaging, payments, and content.
• Content – any text, images, audio, video, or other materials displayed on or shared through the platform, including user-generated content and professional profiles.

3. Eligibility and Use on Behalf of Others

To create an account and book services directly on AfriTherapy, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old, and
• Have legal capacity to enter binding agreements.

Where a minor (under 18) is using the platform:

• A parent or legal guardian may create and manage an account on the minor’s behalf.
• The parent/guardian is deemed to accept these Terms both for themselves and for the minor.
• All references to “you” in this case include both the minor and the parent/guardian.

If you use AfriTherapy on behalf of another person (e.g., a dependent or a client), you confirm that you are authorized to act for them and to accept these Terms on their behalf.

5. Nature of the Therapist–Client Relationship

AfriTherapy helps clients and professionals find and connect with each other. Once you begin working with a professional:

• The therapeutic or coaching relationship is strictly between you and that professional.
• Professionals are independent and are not employees or agents of AfriTherapy.
• Each professional is responsible for:
  • Their own licensing and qualifications
  • Their clinical decisions and recommendations
  • Their adherence to local laws and professional ethics

AfriTherapy does not supervise sessions, determine treatment plans, or control how professionals practice.

6. Directory and Listings

AfriTherapy provides a directory of professionals and wellness services. Please note:

• Listings are based on information provided by professionals themselves.
• AfriTherapy may perform reasonable checks (e.g. requesting documents), but we do not provide a full verification of every qualification, license, or registration.
• A listing on AfriTherapy is not a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of quality.
• You are responsible for evaluating whether a professional is suitable for your needs, including:
  • Checking their qualifications, experience, and areas of focus
  • Asking questions before beginning services
  • Confirming any licensing/registration where relevant

Use of the directory is voluntary and at your own discretion.

7. Description of Services

AfriTherapy may provide, among other things:

• A searchable directory of mental health professionals and coaches
• Professional profile pages and “Get Listed” features
• Booking and scheduling tools for sessions (online and/or in-person)
• Secure messaging or chat features
• Payment processing and receipts for services booked through the platform
• Educational articles, podcasts, resources, and community content

AfriTherapy may update, expand, or remove features from time to time.

8. Account Registration and Security

When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Keep your login details (email, password, etc.) confidential
• Notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access to your account

You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account, including bookings, messages, and content posted.

We reserve the right to suspend or close accounts where:

• False or misleading information is provided
• There is suspected misuse or breach of these Terms
• Activity puts the safety or integrity of the platform or others at risk

9. Privacy and Confidentiality

We are committed to respecting your privacy.

• AfriTherapy is not a data-harvesting platform. We collect only the information needed to run our services.
• Sensitive details are limited to what is required for registration, booking, communication, and payment.
• Private chat or session messages may be cleared or expired after a period to enhance privacy, subject to legal and technical requirements.
• Communication between client and professional is confidential, subject to standard professional and legal limits (e.g. risk of harm to self or others, legal obligations, safeguarding requirements).

Please read our Privacy Policy for detailed information on what data we collect, how we store and protect it, and when we may share data.

10. Payments and Fees

When you book a service:

• Fees are set by each professional and displayed before you confirm a booking.
• Payments are processed securely through our chosen payment provider (e.g. Paystack).
• You are responsible for any bank or transaction charges.
• By confirming payment, you authorize us or our payment partners to process the transaction on behalf of the professional.

11. Cancellations and Refunds

Each professional may set their own:

• Cancellation window
• Late cancellation or no-show rules
• Refund policy

Before booking, you should review the policy on the professional’s profile or booking page.

Requests to change or cancel an appointment should be made directly to the professional. Refunds are issued according to the professional’s policy. AfriTherapy may assist with communication but does not guarantee refunds unless explicitly stated.

12. Acceptable Use and User Conduct

You agree to use AfriTherapy in a lawful, respectful, and responsible manner. You must not:

• Use the platform for any illegal purpose
• Harass, threaten, or abuse any professional, client, or staff member
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent your identity
• Attempt to access accounts or data that are not yours
• Upload or transmit malware, harmful code, or attempts to disrupt the platform
• Use the platform to send spam, unsolicited advertising, or misleading information

We may remove content, restrict access, or terminate accounts where these rules are not followed.

13. User Content (Reviews, Comments, Profiles)

AfriTherapy may allow you to leave feedback or reviews, post questions or comments, and create or edit professional profiles (for professionals). By posting content, you agree that:

• You will only share information that is accurate to the best of your knowledge
• You will not post defamatory, offensive, or harmful material
• You will not share confidential information about others without their consent

AfriTherapy may, at its discretion:

• Edit, moderate, or remove content that violates these Terms or applicable law
• Use anonymized or aggregated content to improve the platform or for marketing, in a way that does not identify you without your consent

You retain ownership of your content but grant AfriTherapy a non-exclusive license to display and use it on the platform as needed to operate the service.

14. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated:

• The AfriTherapy name, logo, design, and overall platform are protected by intellectual property laws.
• All platform design, layout, graphics, and software belong to AfriTherapy or its licensors.

You may:

• View and use the platform for personal and non-commercial purposes.

You may not:

• Copy, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from the platform content (other than your own content) without permission.
• Use AfriTherapy branding in a way that suggests endorsement without our written consent.

15. Professional Disclaimer

Information available on AfriTherapy:

• Is for educational and wellness support purposes
• Does not replace in-person medical, psychiatric, or psychological care
• Should not be used to diagnose or treat medical conditions without consulting a qualified professional

Always seek advice from a doctor or qualified mental health professional regarding any condition or before changing treatment.

16. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• AfriTherapy is not responsible for the conduct, advice, or treatment provided by professionals.
• We do not guarantee any particular outcome from therapy, coaching, or consultations.
• We are not liable for:
  • Interruptions to the platform or technical issues
  • Loss of data or messages
  • Decisions you make based on content or advice accessed via the platform

Where liability cannot be excluded, it is limited to the total amount you have paid through the platform for the specific booking or service in question.

17. Conflict Resolution Between Client and Professional

17.1 Direct Resolution

You should first try to resolve the matter directly with the other party through calm and clear communication.

17.2 Involving AfriTherapy

If issues remain unresolved, either party may contact AfriTherapy support. We may:

• Review relevant information available in the system
• Facilitate communication where appropriate
• Provide guidance regarding platform policies

We do not decide clinical matters, diagnoses, or treatment disputes.

17.3 Platform Measures

Where we identify a breach of our policies or risk to users, AfriTherapy may:

• Issue warnings or guidance
• Restrict visibility of a profile or listing
• Temporarily suspend or permanently close an account

Any such action will follow an internal review and will focus on the safety and integrity of the platform.

17.4 Financial Disputes

Payment or refund disputes remain subject to the professional’s policies. AfriTherapy may assist with clarifying information but is not the decision-maker on refunds unless clearly stated in a specific product or offer.

18. General Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

These Terms and your use of AfriTherapy are governed by the laws of Kenya.

Before starting formal proceedings, we encourage you to contact us so we can try to resolve the issue informally.

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally:

• The parties may agree to mediation in Kenya with a neutral mediator.
• If mediation is unsuccessful, disputes may be submitted to arbitration or to the competent courts of Kenya, in accordance with Kenyan law.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking urgent interim relief from a court where necessary (for example, to protect safety or prevent misuse of data).

19. Account Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to AfriTherapy where:

• There is a breach of these Terms
• We reasonably believe there is misuse, fraud, or risk to others
• Required by law or regulatory guidance

You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Some records (e.g., required by law or for security, accounting, or audit purposes) may be retained in line with our Privacy Policy and legal obligations.

20. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time to reflect legal or regulatory changes, new features or services, and operational or security improvements.

Where changes are significant, we will notify you via the platform and/or email. Continued use of AfriTherapy after the effective date of updated Terms will constitute acceptance of the new version.

21. Contact Details

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms, the platform, or a specific experience, please contact us via our Contact Us page.

We aim to respond in a timely, clear, and respectful manner.