General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Privacy Notice
The General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR) is concerned with information that I collect, store and share. Please read this document and sign to indicate that you agree with my procedures.
Personal Information that I collect:
- Name
- Age and date of birth
- Address
- Telephone/SMS numbers & email address
- Online Counselling Usernames
- Emergency contact details
- GP name & contact details
- Relevant medical conditions & prescribed medication
- Session summaries
How I Store your Personal Information:
- On paper: Counselling Self-Referral Form, Working Agreement, session summaries, GDPR Privacy Notice & Consent, my appointment diary, (initials only), letters and invoices. These are stored in a secure cabinet with a combination lock.
- Electronically: Name & telephone numbers, email address, SMS, letters and invoices.
Erasing your Personal Information
When we have finished working together, I will erase electronic copies of your information and correspondence within one month. I will hold on to your written information for up to five years past the end of our working together. This is so 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.
How I may Process/Share your Personal Information:
- Consultation: I seek fortnightly consultation with my Clinical Supervisor qualified in this process. The consultation process is for my practice (rather than seeking instruction on working with you). In order to protect your privacy, my Supervisor will not know you personally or professionally. I will refer to you by your first name and I may refer to your information verbally when it is helpful to my professional processes.
- Therapeutic Will/Clinical Executor: In the case of my death or incapacitation, should you still be in therapy with me then your name and contact details will be shared with my Clinical Supervisor/Executor.
- Emergencies: If your health is in jeopardy, (provided I have your consent) I may share your contact information with an emergency health care service (e.g. The Police, The Mental Health Crisis Team). 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).
Your Rights:
You have the following rights:
- To be informed what information I hold (see this document)
- To see the information I hold about you (free of charge for the initial request)
- To rectify any incomplete or inaccurate personal information
- To withdraw consent to me using your personal information
- To request that your personal information is erased (though I can decline while the information is needed for my competent practice)
Please use the button below to download a printable version of this document, which is to be is to be signed and dated by both the client and counsellor to confirm our agreement.
