is concerned with the personal information about you that I collect, store, and share.

This page details my GDPR policy.

PERSONAL INFORMATION I WILL COLLECT.

Name.

Gender (or preferred identity).

Age.

Date of Birth.

Relationships & Progeny.

Occupation.

Address.

Telephone/SMS number (plus permission to send SMS & leave voice message).

Email address.

Medical History.

Prescribed medication.

Difficulties.

Session summary.

HOW I WILL STORE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

STORAGE METHODS.

Paper: written notes (described below).

Smartphone: I will store your contact information in my password protected smartphone. This allows me to contact you in case of emergencies.

Email/SMS/WhatsApp: your email address and correspondence will be stored in my email account (currently AOL) by nature of you contacting me. Your telephone number may be stored in my SMS or WhatsApp app should we exchange messages this way. Electronic correspondence will also be held by the corresponding app (AOL, Phone's SMS, WhatsApp).

Website: none of your personal information is stored on my website.

DOCUMENTS HELD.

PAPER...

Contract/Agreement

Medical History

Brief Session Notes

GDPR Agreement

ELECTRONIC...

Contact name & telephone

Email/SMS/WhatsApp.

HOW I MAY PROCESS/SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

SUPERVISION.

My professional body recommends that I seek regular supervision with another therapist qualified in this process to ensure that I am practising safely and ethically and to help me develop insights and interventions that will benefit my clients and myself. Third parties cannot identify clients from our sessions due to its anonymous nature and information that is stored digitally will be kept securely for my use. The collection and processing of information from our sessions is a necessary part of your contractual obligation with me. This forms the legal basis for collecting and processing your data.

THERAPEUTIC WILL.

Your name and contact details will be shared with my Therapeutic Executor. This is so that you will be contacted on the event of my death, should you still be in therapy with me.

EMERGENCIES.

If your health is in jeopardy (provided I have your consent) I may share your contact information with an emergency healthcare service (e.g. Mental Health Crisis Team/GP).

If I have become aware of your intent to cause harm to another person/organisation (e.g. terrorism), the law may require that I inform an authority without seeking your permission. In such a situation, the law may require that I share your personal information without your knowledge (known as: whistle-blowing).

ERASING YOUR INFORMATION.

When we have finished working together, I will erase electronic copies of your information & correspondence within one month.

I will hold onto your written information for up to seven years past the end of our working together. If you are under 18 it will be seven years after your 18th birthday. This is so that I have a reference of our work in situations such as you returning to counselling in the future. After this time has passed, I will securely destroy the written information.

YOUR RIGHTS.

You have the following rights...

To be informed what information I hold (i.e. this document).

To see the information I hold about you (free of charge for the initial request).

To rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

To withdraw consent to me using your personal information.

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

I aim to transparently communicate my legal basis for holding, storing and sharing information. This includes explaining what I will hold, how I will hold it, with whom I will share it, for how long, and what will happen when data is no longer needed. If any of this needs further clarification, please do not hesitate to ask. 

 As the Data Controller, I will deal with any issues or complaints.

NB: A printed copy of this statement will be given to you when we first meet for counselling. If we agree to continue working together, we will both sign the printed copy of this statement to indicate our agreement.