Privacy Policy
Contact meIn order to provide a service of the highest standard, Choose Counselling holds certain data on clients. This privacy policy outlines the way I handle this data appropriately and securely as defined by General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
I currently collect and process the following information:
personal information such as your name, date of birth, contact details, next of kin contact details, session payments, health and medical information, and professional history.
How I get the information and why do I have it
I collate this information directly from you and sometimes from the individual/ organisation that may refer you to me in order for Choose Counselling to deliver an efficient, safe and ethical counselling and psychotherapy service. I make sure that only the minimum data necessary is collected to provide my services. Under GDPR, a “Legitimate Interest” is the lawful basis upon which I rely for processing this information.
All information gathered remains confidential within Choose Counselling. However, there are several notable exceptions when confidentiality may need to be breached. These are detailed in the initial contracting assessment and subsequent contract agreed between you and me.
Such scenarios include:
- When there is concern of a significant threat of harm to the client or another individual.
- Discussing a client’s case in clinical supervision using non-identifiable data (an important aspect of therapy as a way to quality assure my therapeutic work. This is highlighted in BACP’s best practice guidelines overseeing our professional practice).
- Disclosure of a concerning act.
- Therapist notes are called upon by a court of law.
Your rights
You have the right to view the information I hold about you and ask for changes to be made, which can be provided within one month of request without charge. Please contact me on dchanner@choosecounselling.co.uk if you wish to make such a request. At any time, you also have the right to object to me processing and holding your data. This may result in me being unable to provide my services to you. You also have the right to withdraw consent. However, this will not affect the lawful processing and retention of information based on prior consent, and for legal reasons it may not be possible to comply with a request to delete data already held.
How Choose Counselling stores your information
All information collected from you is securely stored digitally using password protection and/or within a locked cabinet inside my home. Only anonymised data leaves my premises and the need for this is rare. This information will be kept for up to 7 years following the final date of service use. The data will then be securely destroyed.
Updates
Any changes to my privacy policy will be updated on my website, with subsequent version numbers given at the bottom of the page.
How to complain
If you have any questions or concerns about my privacy notice, or if you are unhappy with how I have used your data, please contact me at complaints@choosecounselling.co.uk to discuss and, if you are not satisfied, you may contact the ICO on the below details:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
0303 123 1113
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
This site may store and process health related data for the purposes of providing counselling as well as related services. By using Choose Counselling, you consent to my Privacy Policy. You can opt out by sending Choose Counselling an email at any time.