Terms of Service

Terms of Service

These terms govern your use of Gulaf and establish the rights and responsibilities of all users, counselors, and our platform.

Last Updated: July 30, 2025

Effective Date: August 1, 2025

Important Notice
Please read this carefully - it contains important information about emergency situations

🚨 Emergency Situations

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, having thoughts of self-harm, or are in immediate danger, do not use this platform. Instead:

  • • Call 112 for immediate emergency assistance
  • • Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 14416
  • • Go to your nearest emergency room
  • • Call your local crisis hotline or emergency services

Gulaf is designed for ongoing mental health support and therapy, not crisis intervention. Our counselors are here to help with your mental health journey, but emergency situations require immediate professional intervention.

Acceptance of Terms

Agreement to Terms

  • By accessing or using Gulaf, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service

  • If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the service

  • These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the service

  • Your continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any updates to these terms

Capacity to Enter Agreement

  • You must be at least 18 years old to use Gulaf independently

  • Users between 13-17 require guardian consent and involvement

  • You represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement

  • If you are using Gulaf on behalf of an organization, you have authority to bind that organization

Description of Services

Mental Health Platform

  • Gulaf connects users with licensed mental health counselors

  • Services include video sessions, voice calls, chat messaging, and AI-powered matching

  • Platform provides therapy library, session scheduling, and progress tracking

  • Services are designed to support mental health and emotional wellbeing

Professional Counseling

  • All counselors are licensed mental health professionals

  • Counselors provide therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and other concerns

  • Sessions are conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant video and chat systems

  • Emergency support protocols are in place for crisis situations

Technology Features

  • AI-powered counselor matching based on your preferences and needs

  • Secure payment processing through Razorpay

  • Automated appointment reminders and session management

  • Music and video therapy library for supplemental support

User Responsibilities

Account Security

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

  • You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

  • You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account

  • Choose a strong password and enable two-factor authentication when available

Accurate Information

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration

  • Update your profile information promptly when changes occur

  • Provide truthful information about your mental health history and concerns

  • Inform your counselor of any changes in your condition or circumstances

Appropriate Use

  • Use the platform only for legitimate mental health counseling purposes

  • Treat counselors and staff with respect and professionalism

  • Attend scheduled sessions promptly and provide reasonable notice for cancellations

  • Follow your counselor's recommendations and treatment plans

Prohibited Activities

  • Do not share your account credentials with others

  • Do not attempt to circumvent security measures or access unauthorized areas

  • Do not use the platform for illegal activities or harassment

  • Do not record sessions without explicit consent from all participants

Counselor Responsibilities

Professional Standards

  • Maintain current licensing and professional certifications

  • Adhere to professional ethics codes and standards of practice

  • Provide competent and evidence-based mental health services

  • Maintain professional boundaries and therapeutic relationships

Platform Compliance

  • Complete thorough background checks and verification processes

  • Maintain professional liability insurance and provide proof when requested

  • Use only approved communication methods and follow security protocols

  • Respond to client inquiries and session requests in a timely manner

Confidentiality

  • Protect client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and professional standards

  • Obtain appropriate consent before sharing any client information

  • Maintain secure storage of client records and session notes

  • Report only as required by law or professional ethics (mandatory reporting)

Payment Terms

Session Fees

  • Session fees are set by individual counselors and displayed before booking

  • Payment is required in advance for all scheduled sessions

  • Fees are processed securely through Razorpay payment gateway

  • All fees are in Indian Rupees (INR) unless otherwise specified

Billing and Refunds

  • You will be charged when you book a session, not when the session occurs

  • Refunds may be available for cancelled sessions with appropriate notice

  • No-show fees may apply if you miss a session without proper notice

  • Disputed charges must be reported within 30 days of the transaction

Cancellation Policy

  • Sessions can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

  • Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a partial fee

  • Emergency cancellations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

  • Counselors may also need to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances

Privacy & Confidentiality

Health Information Privacy

  • We comply with HIPAA and other applicable healthcare privacy laws

  • Your health information is protected with industry-standard encryption

  • Access to your information is limited to your assigned counselors and essential staff

  • You have rights regarding your health information as outlined in our Privacy Policy

Session Confidentiality

  • All therapy sessions are confidential between you and your counselor

  • Session recordings are encrypted and stored securely

  • Counselors follow professional ethics regarding confidentiality

  • Exceptions include mandatory reporting requirements and imminent safety concerns

Data Security

  • We use end-to-end encryption for all communications

  • Regular security audits and updates to protect your information

  • Secure data centers with restricted physical and digital access

  • Incident response procedures in case of any security breaches

Service Limitations

Not Emergency Services

  • Gulaf is not intended for emergency mental health situations

  • If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact emergency services immediately

  • For immediate help: Call 112, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room

  • Our platform is designed for ongoing therapy and support, not crisis intervention

Platform Availability

  • We strive for 99.9% uptime but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service

  • Scheduled maintenance will be announced in advance when possible

  • Technical issues may occasionally affect session quality or availability

  • Alternative communication methods will be provided during extended outages

Treatment Limitations

  • Online therapy may not be suitable for all mental health conditions

  • Some situations may require in-person treatment or specialized care

  • Counselors will recommend alternative resources when appropriate

  • Medication management requires coordination with qualified prescribers

Intellectual Property

Platform Content

  • Gulaf owns all rights to the platform design, features, and technology

  • Therapy library content is licensed or owned by Gulaf

  • You may not copy, modify, or distribute platform content without permission

  • Trademarks and logos are protected intellectual property

User Content

  • You retain ownership of personal information and content you provide

  • By using the platform, you grant us license to use your content for service provision

  • Testimonials and reviews may be used for marketing with your consent

  • You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to any content you share

Account Termination

User-Initiated Termination

  • You may delete your account at any time through your account settings

  • Account deletion will cancel all future scheduled sessions

  • Some data may be retained for legal and regulatory compliance

  • Refunds for prepaid services will be processed according to our refund policy

Platform-Initiated Termination

  • We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these terms

  • Accounts may be terminated for inappropriate behavior or misuse

  • We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone

  • Notice will be provided when possible, except in cases of severe violations

Effects of Termination

  • Terminated accounts lose access to all platform features and content

  • Scheduled sessions will be cancelled and refunds processed as appropriate

  • Some information may be retained as required by law or regulation

  • Termination does not affect any obligations that accrued before termination

Limitation of Liability

Service Disclaimer

  • Gulaf provides a platform connecting users with counselors but is not a healthcare provider

  • We do not diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice

  • Individual counselors are responsible for their professional services

  • Platform features are provided 'as is' without warranties of any kind

Limitation of Damages

  • Our liability is limited to the amount paid for services in the past 12 months

  • We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

  • This includes data loss, business interruption, or loss of profits

  • Some jurisdictions may not allow these limitations

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

  • We encourage users to contact us directly to resolve disputes

  • Our support team will work with you to address concerns promptly

  • Most issues can be resolved through direct communication

  • Document any concerns with dates, times, and specific details

Formal Procedures

  • Unresolved disputes may be subject to binding arbitration

  • Arbitration will be conducted under Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act

  • Legal proceedings must be filed in courts of competent jurisdiction in India

  • Class action lawsuits are waived in favor of individual arbitration

Changes to Terms

Updates and Modifications

  • We may update these terms periodically to reflect changes in our services

  • Significant changes will be communicated through email or platform notifications

  • Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance

  • You can review the most current version of terms at any time on this page

Notification Process

  • Material changes will be announced at least 30 days in advance

  • Notifications will be sent to your registered email address

  • Updates will be posted prominently on the platform

  • You may terminate your account if you disagree with updated terms

Questions About These Terms?
We're here to help clarify any questions about our terms of service

Contact Our Legal Team

legal@gulaf.com
+91 1800-LEGAL (1800-534-25)
Submit inquiries through your dashboard

By using Gulaf, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.
If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our platform.