Privacy Policy
I am a registered member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. As a counsellor I read, agree and adhere to their ethical framework and conduct procedure on an annual basis.
What personal data I collect and why I collect it:
The Data protection law (GDPR) reads that clients have the right to be informed as to how their personal data is held and used. This privacy notice explains the personal information I collect from you as my client, as well as how I store, process and delete it. As a private practitioner I act as both:
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Data Controller (which means that I plan procedures regarding how data is held according to the GDPR regulations), and
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Data Processor (which means that I collect and store data required within my therapy practice).
In our first session, the client and I share personal information for our working agreement which explains my commitment to client confidentiality and data protection, as well as when confidentiality may be breached. The client and I are to sign an agreement to this effect before we start therapy.
I will collect personal details from you, for example: name; date of birth; address; contact number; email address; contact details for an emergency contact for use if something were to happen to you, GP details, for use with your permission; details of any relevant mental or physical health issues and medication.
Storage of Personal Details:
The above personal details are stored in a locked file, used by myself. Session notes (brief summaries of our sessions) are also stored in a locked file, looked at by me. These are kept completely separately from your personal details and within these session notes you are known only by a code so that your anonymity is preserved.
I keep a diary to manage my appointments, and you will be referred to within this only by a code. This diary is stored separately from your personal details and session notes. I do not store any of this information on a joint computer or use cloud-based storage. I use a seperate mobile phone from my personal phone to receive client phone calls and text messages. I use only a code, and my phone is password protected. I use a password-protected computer for receipt of emails from clients. This email account is separate from my personal email account.
Deletion of your Personal Details:
Your session notes are kept for seven years in line with BACP and NCPS recommendations. After this time, they are then destroyed. Any text messages (sent and received) and any emails (sent and received) will also be deleted 6 months (or earlier) after therapy has ended.
Exceptions to Confidentiality:
If I have reason to believe that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, As a counsellor it's my duty to break confidentiality. I would endeavour to discuss this breach with you first so that we could come to an agreement about who needed to be informed. However, if an agreement is not reached and I still believe that you or someone else is at risk, I will discuss our session with my supervisor and we will decide how to proceed. Where a threat of terrorism or drug trafficking is disclosed, I am obliged by law to inform the authorities.
Sharing of your Personal Details:
Supervision: In line with the requirements of my professional body, the BACP and NCPS, my work is regularly supervised by a qualified supervisor. Their role is to ensure that I work ethically and professionally. You are referred to by your first name only in supervision, and conversations between myself and my supervisor are confidential.
The Clients right's
In accordance with GDPR, you have these rights:
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To be informed of the information that I store about you.
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You can ask to see the information that I hold about you. I am legally required to respond to any request from a client in writing to see their personal data within 30 days.
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To ask that I rectify any information that you deem inaccurate, unnecessary, or incomplete (if I need to keep a record to comply with legal requirements then I may decline this request).
Please click on the links below for more information
