The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is concerned with the personal information about you that I will be collecting, storing and sharing. This page details my GDPR policy. By entering into a contract with me you are agreeing to the terms and conditions laid out in this GDPR policy.
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
Counselling History
Medical conditions relevant to counselling
Doctors name/address/contact details
Prescribed medication
Difficulties
Session/Assessment summary.
Paper: Will be the working agreement you returned and signed, or your parent/Guardian signed and my registration form and any additional paper work that we agree to do together. All paper formats are stored in a locked cabinet which only I have access to.
Word Documents: I will store your assessment details from the first session and subsequent sessions in a document on a local drive or paper format. The documents will contain information about the session. These files are password protected.
Email: Your email address and or telephone number and correspondence will be stored in my email account and on my telephone both of which are password protected.
Supervision: In compliance with my accrediting organisation, the BACP, I am required to attend regular supervision sessions with a suitably qualified therapeutic supervisor. Although aspects of your case will be discussed, your full name and contact details will not be revealed. My supervisor is bound by similar confidentiality and GDPR policies.
Clinical Will: I have a clinical will and have appointed a clinical executor who will have access to my client list in case of emergency, this will be a counsellor and trusted person. In the event of my death, hospitalisation or similar of a close relative of mine, this person will make contact to inform you of the situation and advise you of your options
This is maintained at all times except as stated above and in a situation where I believe yours or another person’s (or group of people’s) safety is at significant risk, I may then contact the suitable authority without your permission. This includes your doctor, the emergency services and the mental health crisis team.
When we have finished working together, I will erase electronic copies of your information & correspondence within one month. If you are under 18 years old, I will keep your information until your 18th birthday in accordance with the BACP ethical framework. If you are over 18 years of age I will hold onto your written information for up to seven years beyond the end of the last session. 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 shred the written information.
To be informed about 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 and if the courts have subpoenaed this information)