PRIVACY POLICY 

All discussions in therapy are confidential and anything raised remains between us. The only exceptions to your confidentiality are if I am required to disclose information by a court of law, or in order to protect you or another person from significant harm. I maintain confidentiality in accordance with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and counselling (UKCP) Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct

HOW DO YOU KEEP PERSONAL DATA ON ME?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is concerned with the personal information about you that I collect, store, and share. This page details my GDPR policy (previously known as Privacy Policy).  By contacting me, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions laid out in this GDPR policy.  

 PERSONAL INFORMATION I WILL COLLECT FROM THE WEBSITE CONTACT FORM 

  • Your name

  • Your email address

  • Whether you prefer face to face or online counselling

  • Preferred appointment time

  • The nature of your enquiry


PERSONAL INFORMATION I MAY COLLECT FROM TELEPHONE CONTACT AND / OR DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT

 ·        Your name

·        Your email address

·        Your phone number

·        The nature of your enquiry

·        Gender (or preferred identity).

·        Religion / Ethnicity / Country of birth

·        Date of birth.

·        Relationships and family (past and present).

·        Occupation and education.

·        Home address

·        Previous experience of mental health treatment / diagnosis.

·        Doctor’s name and contact details

·        Medical conditions.

·        Prescribed medication.

·        Difficulties.

·        Session summaries.

 

HOW I WILL STORE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

  • Paper: Written notes will be stored in a locked filing cabinet (or equivalent) or will be completely destroyed in a confidential manner after notes are transferred to an electronic storage form.

  • Laptops / Personal Computers: Written notes may be kept on a secured personal laptop or personal computer. The device will require passwords to access individual information. I will take every reasonable precaution to protect your personal information.

  • Mobile Phone: I may store your contact telephone number for the duration of your treatment along with any text messages or WhatsApp messages which we may exchange.

  • Email: Your email address and email correspondence will be stored securely in my email accounts (Gmail).

  • Website: None of your personal information is stored on my website, other than to momentarily collect & send it to my email accounts for the purposes of initial contact.

 

HOW I MAY PROCESS/SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

Your contact details and personal information will never be shared with outside parties apart from the exemptions below.  

Supervision

In compliance with my accrediting organisations (UKCP and BACP), I am required to attend regular supervision sessions with a suitably qualified therapeutic supervisor.  Although aspects of your case will be discussed, your full name and contact details will not be revealed.  My therapeutic supervisors are bound by similar confidentiality and GDPR policies.  

Breaking Confidentiality

If I believe yours or another person (or group of people’s) safety is at significant risk, I may contact the suitable authority without your permission.  This includes your doctor, the emergency services and the mental health crisis team.

I am also required by law to pass on information relating to acts of terrorism and ongoing abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult.  I will at all times attempt to gain your permission before breaking confidentiality in these instances however I retain the right to do so without your consent.

 

ERASING YOUR INFORMATION.

All the information I hold about you (detailed under “Personal Information I May Collect From Telephone Contact And / Or During the Course Of Your Therapeutic Sessions”) Will be held for a maximum of 4 years after your final session. You telephone number will be erased within 4 weeks of our final session.     

 

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the following rights...

·        To be informed what information I hold.

·        To see the information, I hold about you (free of charge for the initial request and then £5 for every additional request).

·        To rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

·        To withdraw consent to me using your personal information.

·        To request that some or all of your personal information be erased (though I can decline whilst the information is needed for me to practice lawfully & competently).