Chronic Pain Programme
Terms & Conditions
1. PROGRAMME FORMAT
The Chronic Pain Programme is a five-week online programme offered by SAMYADA (Isabel Elkner).
Each participant receives:
• Five individual sessions of 60 minutes
• Five group sessions of 90 minutes
• Individually adapted exercises and activities between sessions (for self-practice)
• A personal plan for continuing the work after the programme
The first individual session is an initial consultation and takes place during the first programme week, before the first group session.
Group sessions take place weekly. The day and time are agreed with the respective group.
Individual session times are arranged directly with each participant.
The programme takes place with a small group of generally 4–8 participants.
2. REGISTRATION AND BOOKING
Interested participants can register through the SAMYADA website. Submitting the registration form does not constitute a binding paid booking. After receiving the registration, SAMYADA will contact the participant personally with further information and booking details. A place is confirmed once the booking has been expressly agreed and the required payment has been received.
A free introductory conversation is available for anyone who would like to ask questions or discuss whether the programme is appropriate for their situation. This conversation is optional, except when applying for the Supported Rate.
If concerns about suitability arise, SAMYADA and the participant will discuss them individually.
3. PARTICIPATION FEES
The programme is offered with three participation rates:
Supported Rate: €450,-
Standard Rate: €650,-
Supporter Rate: €850,-
All three rates include the same programme and individual support.
The Supported Rate is intended for participants who cannot afford the Standard Rate. It is available following a personal conversation and depends on the availability of supported places.
The Supporter Rate is voluntary and for people who can afford to pay more and would like to contribute to make a Supported Place possible for somebody with financial difficulties.
The additional €200 contributed through each Supporter Rate booking are reserved exclusively for reduced-price participation. These funds will be used only to support Supported Rate places in the current or one of the next Chronic Pain Programmes.
4. PAYMENT
Participants can choose between:
• One payment of the full programme fee
• Two equal instalments without additional charges
For instalment payments:
• The first instalment is due upon booking.
• The second instalment is due at the beginning of programme week three.
The agreed total programme fee remains the same regardless of the payment option.
5. CANCELLATION BEFORE THE PROGRAMME
Participants who wish to cancel their booking should inform SAMYADA in writing as early as possible.
The following cancellation policy applies where legally permitted:
• More than 14 days before the programme begins: Full refund.
• 7–14 days before the programme begins: 50% refund.
• Less than 7 days before the programme begins: No regular refund.
Any applicable statutory withdrawal or termination rights take precedence over this cancellation policy. Where a cancellation fee is legally treated as compensation for loss, participants retain the right to demonstrate that no loss, or a substantially lower loss, has occurred. SAMYADA will take account of any applicable legal requirements and amounts saved or recovered through replacement bookings.
6. INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS — ATTENDANCE AND RESCHEDULING
Individual sessions are an essential part of the programme. Regular participation and continuity are important for the work we develop together.
Living with chronic pain can involve unexpected changes in physical and emotional conditions.
When necessary, individual sessions may therefore be rescheduled to accommodate significant health-related difficulties or other unforeseen circumstances.
This flexibility is intended to support individual needs and the continuity of the process. It is not intended for routine changes of preference, conflicting social arrangements or repeated rescheduling for reasons unrelated to genuine difficulties. Feeling unwell does not necessarily mean that a session needs to be cancelled. Depending on the situation, we may be able to adapt the work to what is possible and appropriate that day.
Participants are asked to communicate any need to reschedule as early as possible. For foreseeable changes, at least 24 hours' notice is requested.
Repeated short-notice cancellations or missed appointments without communication may affect the continuation of individual work and will be addressed personally. Exceptional circumstances, including situations in which communication was not possible, will be considered individually.
Where necessary, individual sessions may be rescheduled within four weeks after the official programme ends, subject to mutual availability.
A missed appointment does not automatically entitle the participant to an additional replacement session.
Any entitlement to payment for a missed session remains subject to applicable law.
7. GROUP SESSIONS — ATTENDANCE
Group sessions are an essential part of the five-week programme. Participants are encouraged to attend all five sessions.
Missed group sessions cannot be individually repeated or replaced.
Where appropriate, SAMYADA may provide relevant exercises or general information to help a participant continue with the programme. Questions arising from a missed group session may also be discussed during a regularly scheduled individual session.
Group sessions are not recorded in order to respect the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
8. EARLY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAMME
The programme is designed as a continuous five-week process. Participants are encouraged to approach their participation with commitment and an openness to working through difficulties that may arise.
Significant or unforeseen health-related circumstances may sometimes make continued participation difficult or impossible. In these situations, participants are encouraged to contact SAMYADA to discuss their circumstances.
Where appropriate, SAMYADA may offer additional arrangements, such as adjustments to remaining individual sessions or a discretionary partial refund. Such additional arrangements are considered individually. They are not intended as an alternative to regular participation or as a general option to leave the programme for reasons of convenience.
Any statutory termination rights and resulting refund entitlements remain unaffected.
Where applicable law provides for payment only for services already delivered, the programme fee will be settled accordingly.
9. CANCELLATION OR CHANGES BY SAMYADA
If SAMYADA needs to reschedule an individual session, an alternative appointment will be offered.
If a group session needs to be postponed, SAMYADA will arrange an alternative date with the group.
If a session cannot be provided or reasonably replaced, an appropriate refund or other mutually agreed arrangement will be offered, without limiting statutory rights.
If SAMYADA cancels the entire programme before it begins, participants will receive a full refund of programme payments already made.
If the programme must end after it has begun, payment and refunds for services not provided will be settled in accordance with applicable law.
10. PARTICIPATION AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Participants are encouraged to engage actively with the programme and communicate relevant difficulties or changes in their circumstances.
Exercises and activities are adapted to individual needs and possibilities.
Participants should not feel obliged to perform exercises that cause significant discomfort or appear inappropriate for their condition. They are encouraged to communicate any concerns so that the work can be adapted where possible.
The programme offers complementary support and does not replace necessary medical or psychotherapeutic care. No particular outcome or pain reduction can be guaranteed.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY AND GROUP PARTICIPATION
Participants may share personal experiences during group sessions. Everyone is expected to respect the privacy of other participants. Personal information and experiences shared by other group members must not be disclosed outside the group.
Recording, photographing or distributing content from group sessions is not permitted without appropriate prior consent.
Participants are encouraged to share only what they feel comfortable discussing in a group setting.
SAMYADA will handle personal information in accordance with its applicable privacy information.
12. APPLICABLE LAW
The contractual relationship is governed by German law, insofar as legally permissible.
Mandatory consumer protection rights that apply under the laws of a participant's country of habitual residence remain unaffected.
Statutory withdrawal, termination and refund rights take precedence wherever applicable.