Policies

Privacy Policy

For the purpose of our therapeutic work together, I collect your name, address, phone number, email address, next of kin and GP details. I also collect brief session notes which will be anonymous and include date, time, session number and any brief notes. Session notes do not include any identifiable information and are stored separately from contact details. Information is stored electronically on password protected devices. Any paper notes will be kept in a locked filing cabinet.

During your therapy, I will use your email address or telephone number to send reminders of your appointment times if you have given consent for this. I may also use your email address to send you information that is relevant to your therapy sessions if this is something you agree to. If your session is taking place online, I will use email to send you a secure link to our online meeting room. 

What you share in our sessions is kept confidential. I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counseling and Psychotherapy and I abide by their professional code of ethics. In line with best practice, I have regular supervision with a qualified supervisor. Clients are not personally identified during supervision and the supervisor is also bound by the confidentiality agreement. Confidentiality will only be broken if there are ethical or legal obligations to do so, for example, if you disclose abuse/neglect of a child or vulnerable adult or say something which implies you or someone else is at risk of harm or if a court of law requires me to disclose information. In this event, I will always try to speak to you about the steps I am going to take first, unless there are safeguarding issues that prevent this.

I am registered as the Data Controller for my business with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and take the protection of your data very seriously. Your information will be retained for 7 years after therapy ends, after which it will be confidentially destroyed. You have a right, at any time, to ask what information I hold on you.

If you come to me through an EAP provider, there is an expectation that the EAP provider will be informed of the progress you are making. This is done through brief session notes that are kept with the EAP provider on a secure online portal.

Professional Living Will

In the event of my death or incapacitation, a nominated professional colleague will receive the name and contact details of my current clients. This nominated professional will contact my clients to inform them of my situation and refer them to another trusted practitioner.