Therapist Service Agreement

Effective Date: 9th of April, 2025

This document sets forth the terms and conditions governing the professional relationship between Najda and therapists operating on its platform. By joining Najda as a therapist and using the platform’s services, you acknowledge and agree to the following legally binding terms.

1. Nature of Engagement

1.1. Independent Contractor Status and Non-Exclusivity

• Therapists shall operate as independent contractors. No employment relationship is created or implied between Najda and the therapist.
• The engagement is non-exclusive. Therapists are free to provide services to third parties, including through other platforms, without restriction.

Compliance with Local Laws:

• United States: This classification aligns with the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) and relevant state laws. Therapists acknowledge they are not employees under U.S. labor laws.

1.2. Term of Engagement

• This agreement is established on an open-ended basis, with no fixed term. Either party may terminate the agreement in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

2. Compensation and Payment

2.1. Basis of Compensation

• Therapists shall be compensated per consultation conducted.
• No compensation shall be due if a client fails to attend a scheduled session, regardless of notice or circumstances. No exceptions shall apply.

2.2. Payment Method and Schedule

• Compensation shall be disbursed via bank transfer.
• Payouts are processed weekly, every Monday, and therapists should expect to receive the corresponding funds within that same week.

2.3. Variable Compensation and Bonus Structure

• Compensation is performance-based, with tiered rates determined by factors such as the therapist’s level (Associate, Core, Premier, Top), number of active clients, and tenure on the platform.
• Eligible therapists may receive bonuses, such as retention or performance-based incentives.
• The full compensation policy, including hourly rates, tier advancement criteria, and applicable bonuses, is detailed within the Najda platform and will be made available via the official website.

3. Professional Duties and Standards

3.1. Licensing and Credentials

Therapists must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Hold a Master’s or Doctorate in a mental health discipline (e.g., psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy).
• Possess valid and recognized professional licensure (e.g., LMFT, LPC, LCSW or the local equivalent).
  • United States: Therapists must hold licenses valid in the state(s) where their clients reside.
  • United Kingdom: Therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent regulatory body.
• Demonstrate Islamic competency through formal education (e.g., degrees in Islamic Studies or Chaplaincy) and/or training in integrated Islamic counseling methodologies.
• Continuing education in Islamic psychology is strongly recommended but not mandatory.

3.2. Availability and Session Management

• All scheduling and client interactions must be conducted via the Najda application.
• Therapists are expected to make themselves available at least once per week per assigned client. Inability to meet this standard may result in the client being reassigned.
• Response time obligations:
  • Essential Plan Clients: response by the next calendar day.
  • Standard & Premium Clients: same-day response required.
• In the event of a rescheduled session, the therapist shall offer a replacement appointment within 48 hours.

4. Confidentiality and Data Protection

4.1. Confidentiality Obligations

All information disclosed by clients during sessions is strictly confidential and must never be disclosed or shared with any third party.

4.2. Data Security and Compliance

Therapists are required to protect all personal and health-related data by:

• Retaining client records solely within the Najda platform.
• Refraining from using external tools or platforms to store or share client information. Doing so constitutes a breach of data security policy and exposes data to potential unauthorized access.

Data Protection Laws:

Najda complies with all applicable data protection regulations, including:

• UAE Federal Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL 2021).
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents.
• PIPEDA (Canada) and Privacy Act (Australia/New Zealand).

5. Responsibilities, Disputes, and Termination

5.1. Limitation of Najda’s Liability

Najda shall not be held liable for:

• Payment delays or technical disruptions;
• Client no-shows or cancellations;
• Any indirect consequences resulting from such events.

In cases where a client misses four or more consecutive sessions, the therapist may consider the client inactive. While base consultation compensation remains unaffected, such inactivity may impact performance-based bonuses. Therapists are therefore encouraged to actively engage with clients to reduce attrition.

5.2. Termination of Agreement

• Either party may terminate this engagement with one month’s prior written notice, unless local laws mandate a different period.
• In cases of serious breach or unforeseen events, the parties agree to attempt an amicable resolution via email correspondence prior to formal termination.

5.3. Dispute Resolution and Jurisdiction

• Any dispute arising out of or relating to this agreement shall first be submitted to mediation or arbitration under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
• If unresolved, jurisdiction shall lie exclusively with the courts of the United Arab Emirates. Therapists operating outside the UAE retain the right to challenge jurisdiction under applicable international law.

6. Additional Provisions

6.1. Training and Technical Support

• Najda will provide therapists with technical assistance and access to training programs as they become available.
• In the event of a technical issue, Najda assumes full responsibility for resolution. Therapists must continue to use the platform and may not communicate with clients through external tools while awaiting a fix.

6.2. Amendments to the Agreement

• Najda reserves the right to amend this Agreement. Therapists will be notified via email of any material changes.
• Continued use of the platform following such notice constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

Compensation Framework

Details concerning payment schedules, hourly rate progression, client quotas, bonus eligibility, and performance incentives are provided in supplemental documents accessible within the application and will soon be published on the official website. These documents are considered an integral part of this Agreement.

Language Accessibility:

This Agreement is available in English and may be translated upon request.

By continuing to use the Najda platform as a therapist, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Therapist Service Agreement.

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