Privacy Policy
Protecting Your Personal Information
1. Commitment to Confidentiality
1.1 As a BACP-registered therapist, I am committed to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of my clients. 1.2 Any information shared during therapy sessions will be treated with the utmost care and discretion. 1.3 I will not disclose your personal information to anyone without your consent, except in exceptional circumstances, such as when required by law or when there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
2. Disclosure
2.1 Following BACP guidelines on ethical practice, I may share general session details with my supervisor to ensure safe and effective therapy.
2.2 Your identity will be protected by using only your initials and never disclosing specific information.
3. Notes
3.1 In line with BACP guidelines, I may keep notes to provide the best service possible.
3.2 All notes are stored securely, password-protected, and private.
3.3 These may only be shared in exceptional cases, such as when requested by a court or in emergency health settings.
3.4 Any notes will be safely destroyed 2 years after the therapy end date.
3.5 If you feel you may return to therapy within 2 years, the retention period will be extended to 5 years.
4. Consultation Forms
4.1 Your information will be securely stored and used to better understand your concerns and issues. 4.2 This information will not be shared with anyone.
4.3 Upon ending therapy, all consultation forms will be securely destroyed after 5 years.
5. Note-keeping Practices
5.1 I maintain client records by preparing quarterly summaries of our sessions, which are securely stored and kept confidential.
5.2 While I don't make detailed notes after every session, I ensure that the summaries accurately reflect the progress and focus of our work together.
5.3 This helps me stay focused on the broader themes of our therapeutic process, allowing for more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.
6. Access to Personal Information
6.1 You have the right to request access to your personal information.
6.2 If desired, please contact me directly, and I will provide the requested information within a reasonable timeframe.
6.3 Please note that information may not be available beyond 2 years (or 5 years, if applicable) from the therapy end date due to data retention policies.
6.4 I aim to provide your notes and information within 2-3 weeks for clients with whom I've worked for less than 2 years, and within 4-6 weeks for clients with whom I've worked for longer than 2 years.
7. Feedback and Complaints
7.1 Your feedback is valued and can be shared during sessions or via email.
7.2 If you have a complaint, please raise it during sessions so we can resolve the matter or write to me via email for discussion.
7.3 If you are not satisfied with the resolution provided, you may escalate your complaint to a professional body such as the BACP. Their contact details can be found on their website (https://www.bacp.co.uk/).
8. GDPR Compliance
8.1 We are committed to complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We will ensure that your personal information is processed lawfully, transparently, and for specific purposes.
8.2 We will only retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, in line with our data retention policies.
8.3 You have the right to request access, rectification, or erasure of your personal data, as well as the right to restrict processing, object to processing, and data portability under GDPR.
9. Cookie Policy
9.1 Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and for analytical purposes. 9.2 Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us remember your preferences and improve site functionality.
9.3 We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device until they expire, or you delete them).
9.4 You can control cookies through your browser settings, but please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
10. Contact Information
10.1 If you have any questions or concerns regarding our Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us via email or postal mail. Our contact information can be found on our website. 10.2 We will respond to your inquiries within a reasonable timeframe and take appropriate measures to address any issues or concerns you may have.