Confidentiality and Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a counsellor or psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. There are exceptions, and these include suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, threat of serious bodily harm to another person/s, serious intention to cause harm to oneself despite effort to help.

Data will be stored in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR EU 2016/679).

Mostly, client information is recorded in paper form. This is not transferred to an electronic system and will not be shared with third parties unless it is with the written permission of the client. If a client is referred by a Consultant Psychiatrist or a Medical Professional, then a progress report may be provided. If a client is paying via their insurance policy, the Insurance Company may require a clinical assessment before approving sessions or may require a progress report. The Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Professionals and Insurance Companies are also bound by GDPR law and confidentiality.

Data collected include: Name, Address, Date of Birth, Profession, Telephone Number, Medical and Psychiatric Information, Previous Therapies, Problem/s, Goals, Priority Problem, Emotional Assessment of Problem, Specific Trigger Events, Assessment of Beliefs, Financial Details e.g. Debit or Credit Card Number, Agreed Homework.

Clinical supervision is a requirement by the BABCP and other accrediting bodies. On occasions client work is discussed with a Professional Clinical Supervisor without revealing the name of the client. The Clinical Supervisor is also bound by law to maintain confidentiality.

Only relevant information is taken, and these notes are held securely.

Electronic systems holding client information such as an assessment or a progress report are password protected and secure. Encrypted emails are used.

Clients have the following rights:

• the right to be informed
• the right of access
• the right to rectification
• the right to erasure
• the right to restrict processing
• the right to data portability
• the right to object
• the right not to be subject to automated decision-making

Client notes are kept for 5 years and then safely destroyed. Any financial details are destroyed when therapy ends.