Terms, Conditions & Informed Consent

Effective Date: 17 July 2026

Business: Desire Pathways

Location: Taupo, New Zealand

By booking an appointment, paying for a service, or participating in any session with Desire Pathways, you formally agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.

1. Nature of Services & Professional Boundaries

Scope of Practice: Desire Pathways provides online somatic sex coaching focused on embodiment, intimacy, and sexual wellbeing. This service provides psycho-education and somatic coaching using the five core modalities of breath, movement, sound, non-erotic self-touch, and awareness.
Strictly Clothes-On & Non-Physical: All online sessions are strictly clothes-on at all times. Sessions are conducted online only and are entirely non-physical, with zero physical contact between coach and client.
Purpose of Self-Touch: Any somatic self-touch exercises used in coaching are entirely non-erotic and focused solely on nervous system regulation, structural grounding, and tracking body sensations. No explicit or erotic self-touch is permitted during sessions.
Zero-Tolerance for Harassment: This is a strictly professional, therapeutic coaching space. Genital self-touch, inappropriate or suggestive comments regarding the coach's personal appearance, and sexualised comments directed toward the coach are strictly prohibited. Violations will result in the immediate termination of the video session. The session will be cancelled instantly, future services permanently refused, and no refunds or reschedules issued.
Post-Practice Cool-down: A minimum two-year period must pass after the coaching relationship officially ends before any personal or social relationship may be considered, in strict alignment with the Somatic Sex Educators' Association of Australasia (SSEAA) guidelines.

2. Not Therapy, Medical Care, or Crisis Support

Role Clarity: This is not psychotherapy, psychology, professional counselling, or medical treatment. While the coach holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, they operate solely as a Somatic Sex Coach. This relationship is coaching-based and does not constitute a clinical or psychological relationship.
Emergency Support: Desire Pathways is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate psychological distress, you agree to contact local helplines (such as 1737 in New Zealand) or your local emergency services.
Capacity & Personal Responsibility: You confirm you are not in a psychological crisis and possess the capacity to self-regulate. You take full responsibility for your well-being and after-care during and after our sessions. No specific emotional, relational, or sexual outcomes can be guaranteed.
Voluntary Participation & Alternatives: Your participation is entirely voluntary. Somatic coaching is only one modality for exploring intimacy. You understand that alternative pathways (such as traditional clinical sex therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, or psychotherapy) may be better suited for deep trauma processing or medical concerns.

3. Consumer Rights & Complaints Pathways (HDCA Code)

In accordance with the New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, you possess clear statutory rights during our coaching sessions:

Right 2 (Freedom from Exploitation): You have the right to a safe environment free from discrimination, coercion, financial exploitation, and sexual harassment.
Right 4 (Appropriate Standards): You have the right to receive services delivered with reasonable care and skill that comply with professional and ethical standards.
Right 7 (Informed Consent & The Right to Pause): You have the absolute right to pause, modify, or stop any exercise at any time. We recognise that "no" can be expressed verbally or non-verbally; your internal boundaries always take priority over coaching suggestions. Your consent is ongoing.
Right 8 (Right to Support): You have the right to bring a support person or advocate onto our online video calls if you wish.
Right 10 (Right to Complain): You have the right to complain about this service without fear of retaliation.
- You can raise complaints directly with me at michaela@desirepathways.co (acknowledged within 5 working days).
- Alternatively, you can file a formal complaint with the Somatic Sex Educators' Association of Australasia (SSEAA) at www.sseaa.org, or the New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner at 0800 11 22 33 or www.hdc.org.nz.

4. Confidentiality, Privacy & Heidi AI Security

Confidentiality & Storage: All information shared within our sessions, including intake forms, notes, and discussions, is kept strictly confidential and stored securely in an encrypted cloud environment in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
Statutory Exceptions to Confidentiality: I will not disclose your information to anyone without your written consent, except where required or permitted by New Zealand law, which includes:
- If there is a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else.
- If there is reason to suspect the abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.
- If formally subpoenaed by a New Zealand court of law.
Professional Supervision: To maintain the highest standard of care, I periodically discuss cases with a professional supervisor. During these consultations, your identity is always kept completely anonymous.
Communications Channels: Support is via email only. To maintain professional boundaries, coaching support is not provided via Social Media.
Heidi AI Note-Taking Rules: To ensure accuracy and presence, I use Heidi AI to create internal audio summaries. Audio is processed solely to create a written summary for professional records. All temporary audio streams are deleted immediately upon summary generation and are never stored permanently or used to train public AI models. Clients receive a human-written summary only. You may choose to opt out of AI-assisted note-taking at any stage.

5. Payments, Cancellations & Tech Failures

Payment & Change of Mind: All sessions are paid in full via Acuity at the time of booking. In accordance with the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), refunds are not provided for a change of mind, second thoughts, or personal cancellation.
Standard Rescheduling: Standard booking changes require at least 24 hours' notice. Within the 24-hour window, you can reschedule up to 3 hours in advance via your booking link or by emailing me.
Forfeiture: Arriving more than 10 minutes late or missing the rescheduling windows results in a completely forfeited session fee.
Tech Failure & Provider Cancellation: If a technical or internet failure on either side lasts more than 15 minutes, the session will be rescheduled at no extra cost. If Desire Pathways must cancel a session due to unforeseen provider-side circumstances, you will be offered the choice of an immediate priority reschedule or a full 100% refund.
Intellectual Property: All materials, anatomical diagrams, and worksheets provided by Desire Pathways are for your personal use only. They may not be redistributed, shared, or sold without written authorisation.
Governing Law: This agreement is governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes shall be resolved within New Zealand jurisdiction.