Privacy Policy

Confidentiality within Counselling

Information shared during the counselling sessions are confidential and remain between us; client and counsellor. This includes face to face, phone and online sessions. There are some exceptions which are listed below: -

· If I have concerns about safety and felt you and/or others were at risk of serious harm including self-harm, serious crime, safeguarding issues and matters of national security. In most cases, but not all, I would discuss with you and seek your permission to contact the right agency to keep you or someone else safe. In some cases permission is not required for me to take further action.

· I take brief notes of our sessions in order to best support you and our work. This is best practice for counsellors and notes are factual and anonymous. Please see below for further information on data storage. 

· I have regular supervision with a fully qualified counselling supervisor. This is also best practice and ensures I am working ethically and within my abilities. My supervisor also acts as an emergency contact for me and my clients should anything happen to me. They will contact you and assist in finding alternative support as well as taking responsibility for my data.

Professional body and ethical framework

I am a member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) which means I have met all the requirements for the Professional Standards Authority to practice as a counsellor safely and ethically. I abide by their Ethical Framework which you can view here https://ncps.com/about-us/code-of-ethics and for more information about the regulator and their role in safeguarding clients of health care professionals visit www.professionalstandards.org.uk/ 

If you would like to check my training, professional membership or insurance certificates please feel free to ask.

Privacy and Confidentiality 

I am committed to respecting your privacy and keeping your information safe and abide by the Data Protection Act (2018) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018). I am also registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Any information/data I collect from you is only used for the purposes of delivering your service. What I collect, how I use and store that information is explained below. 

How your data is used and stored

I only take and store data that is relevant to the work we are doing and in order for me to maintain contact with you. I use a system called WriteUpp which is an online service specifically designed for counsellors and other healthcare professionals and only I have access to the information in my account. I use WriteUpp for storing data, making appointments and holding online appointments. You can find out more about the system security here https://www.writeupp.com/security Any paper records are stored in a lockable filing cabinet in my office. My supervisor has a document with all clients I work with and their contact details.

Session notes are stored for up to 7 years in line with the NCPS best practice guidelines and recommendation from my insurance provider Howden. You can request to see your notes if you so wish. Any other request made would need to be done via a legal route e.g. solicitor or police and in almost every case would still require your permission. We would discuss your preferences and legal implications on an individual basis. 

Electronic data

I do not use social media or have a contact form on my website so all electronic data is managed via my computer or phone. My work laptop is password protected and has the relevant antivirus and security filters.

Any emails sent are only accessed by myself and are deleted after 60 days. I use Outlook and they have some encryption services built in although I would recommend not sending sensitive data via email. Any important information sent via email may be anonymised, printed and added to your notes file.

Any phone sessions are conducted in the same manner as face to face sessions where I will use an enclosed room to ensure confidentiality. Text messages sent are accessed my only me and messages will be deleted once read or no longer required. Phone numbers are not usually stored but if this is necessary only initials are used to maintain anonymity.