PRIVACY STATEMENT & CONSENT
INITIAL THERAPY ENQUIRIES
What data is collected? There are a number of different enquiry routes:
• Via email, text, or phonecall. I collect any information you choose to share including name and email address.
• Via Counselling Directory website referral. I collect any information you choose to share in your Counselling Directory enquiry including name and email address.
• Via third party referral e.g. GP or insurance company. I collect any data transferred to me via the third party including name, email address and phone number.
Where is it stored and who has access? Your contact details, enquiry and referral data are stored in my email or manual records and stored in locked filing cabinets, accessed by me only.
How is it used? I will contact you via phone or email to discuss an initial therapy session. The description of difficulties provided or referral notes will be used as an initial reference point. Should a waiting period be necessary, I will keep you posted of any progress via phone or email.
Your rights:
• You have the right to request access to your personal data
• You have the right to rectify any inaccurate personal information
• You have the right to withdraw consent for me to process your data
• You have the right to request the erasure of your personal data
Please email [email protected]
Please note that I may be obliged to refuse these requests in accordance with lawful requirements and the HCPC professional code of conduct: http://www.hcpc-uk.co.uk. Should it transpire that therapy is not required, it is my standard practice to delete all personal data 7 years after the final correspondence.
THERAPY SESSIONS
What data is collected? Your name, gender (or preferred identity), date of birth, GP contact details, next of kin or emergency contact person (if you choose to provide this), relationships & progeny, occupation, address, telephone/SMS number, email address, therapy history, medical conditions, prescribed medication, difficulties, session summary. You will be asked to sign a consent form to give me permission to store and process this data.
Where is it stored and who has access? Personal details, assessment notes, therapy session notes and symptom measures (if applicable) are collected on manual paper files and stored in locked filing cabinets, accessed by me only. I may discuss your sessions with my clinical supervisor in line with the professional code of conduct (HCPC), however you will only be referred to by your first name.
Your name, email address and phone number are stored on my smartphone under password protection. Your phone number and any electronic messages may be stored on my SMS or ‘Whatsapp’ app, should you agree to be contacted in this way.
Your name, email address and email correspondence will be stored on my email account. Emails may also be accessed via my smartphone or portable computing device. All devices are protected with SSL encryption and password security.
As part of your care I may suggest that I contact external agencies to support the care that I can offer you, such as your GP. I will agree this with you beforehand, on each occasion that any of your information needs to be shared and the information will be sent to them securely.
Your personal data will not be shared with any additional parties with the exception of the below circumstances when I am under legal obligation to provide information to the appropriate agencies (e.g. GP, the police, Social Services etc.):
• I perceive that you are a danger to yourself or others
• I perceive that a minor is at risk
• I am required to share information under a court order or by law
• I am required to disclose information for the prevention, detection or prosecution of a crime
I will aim to discuss such concerns and obligations with you before notifying relevant parties, however this may not always be possible, and I will use clinical judgment to act in the best possible way to minimise possible harm.
How is it used? Your data will be used by me to carry out professional therapy practices. I will contact you to arrange or reschedule sessions or to arrange payment.
Your rights:
• You have the right to request access to your personal data
• You have the right to rectify any inaccurate personal information
• You have the right to withdraw consent for me to process your data
• You have the right to request the erasure of your personal data
Please email [email protected]
Please note that I may be obliged to refuse these requests in accordance with lawful requirements and the HCPC professional code of conduct: http://www.hcpc-uk.co.uk
My standard practice will be to erase your data 7 years after the end of your therapy, or for children, 7 years after the client turns 18 years of age.