Privacy Policy

                                                                                                                               

I only use information gained from you in relation to your counselling, it is not used for Marketing.

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In relation to the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 and records I hold for you, I would like you to know that I am registered with the ICO and keep records relating to you.  Passwords, coding systems and locked cabinets are used to keep information relating to you secure and confidential.  Emails, texts, electronic messaging are kept securely, devices are password protected.  Some of the information I may collect is classified as Sensitive Personal Data and I can only use such data where I have your explicit consent.  Please consider the following points if you would like to attend Counselling.

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As a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy I am bound by its Code of Ethics and Practice and attend supervision.  In order to meet the BACP guidelines, I discuss my caseload with my Supervisor to ensure I am working ethically and to enhance my work.  I do not share your full name.  Information relating to you will be shared in supervision.

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Information relating to our sessions is stored using a coding system and does not contain your name, address, contact numbers/email address, they are stored separately to maintain autonomy. Records are kept for a period of 3 years from when counselling ends.  The exception to this is session notes, these are brief notes/prompts and are a reminder of the key issues covered in our session.  During our first session I will complete a form which gathers information to give me an overview of your life, past and present and what it is you are hoping to achieve from counselling.  These are destroyed 3 months after our last session. Electronic records are deleted, and paper records are shredded.   If you are under 18 years old I will keep records until you are 21 years old.  I keep records in relation to Tax and payments received from you for 7 years as stipulated by the Inland Revenue.

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I recognise that on rare occasions you may wish to exercise your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 and make a Subject Access Request to see your information held by me and gain a copy.  You may also request me to make a correction, for me to add information you think is incomplete or for information to be erased in certain circumstances.  You have the right to ask for information that you have given is transferred to another organisation or to yourself in certain circumstances.  You also have the right to object to processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.  You are not required to pay for exercising your rights.   If at any time you wish to exercise your right under the Act you should put your request in writing to me by post (emails will not be accepted).  When I receive your written request, I will contact you to arrange the next step in the process. I will respond to your request within 30 calendar days.

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There may be exceptional cases where I may ethically or legally have to give information to relevant authorities, for example if I have reason to believe that you or someone else, especially a child, is at risk of serious harm or to prevent a miscarriage of justice, this includes Terrorism and Money Laundering.  I will do my best to discuss any proposed disclosure with you unless I believe that to do so could increase the level of risk to you, someone else or myself.

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The contact information that I have for your G.P and your consultant Psychiatrist (If applicable) is required in case I believe that you are in need of medical intervention.  I will only contact these people if I need to obtain more detailed records of your medical condition, I believe that prescribed medication might need to be adjusted or changed and/or I believe that you may harm yourself or others.  Where possible I will obtain your consent first.

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I would like you to know that I do not write reports (exceptions as per above and/or our written agreement) as I feel that this can hinder the therapeutic process for the person attending counselling.

 

I have a Clinical Will.  If I become seriously ill, incapacitated, or die, I have an agreement with a colleague that they will be informed by a member of my family who will pass your contact details. She will contact you and discuss with you what you would like to do in relation to counselling.   My family will then delete/destroy any electronic and paper records  held for you.

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