I am committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. This policy outlines how I handle your information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant UK laws.

1. Confidentiality

The information you share during counselling sessions is private and will not be disclosed to anyone without your consent, except in the following circumstances:

• Risk of Harm: If I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, I may need to disclose information to appropriate authorities.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, I may need to disclose information to comply with legal obligations or court orders.
• Supervision: To maintain high standards of practice, I may discuss cases with a clinical supervisor, who is also bound by confidentiality and privacy legislation. These discussions are conducted in a way that preserves your anonymity and confidentiality.

2. Collection of Personal Information

I collect personal information that you provide to me voluntarily, including:

• Name
• Contact details (phone number, email address, postal address)
• Date of birth
• Emergency contact details
• Relevant medical history, including formal diagnosis and current medication
• Information discussed during sessions.

3. Use of Personal Information

Your personal information is used for the following purposes:

• To provide effective counselling services
• To contact you regarding appointments and administrative matters
• To maintain accurate and updated records of your sessions
• For supervision purposes, as described above.

4. Storage and Security

I take appropriate measures to ensure the security of your personal information:

• Electronic Records: Stored on a secure, encrypted system with restricted access.
• Paper Records: Stored in a locked cabinet, anonymised, with restricted access.
• Retention Period: Records are retained for two years after the end of our professional relationship, in accordance with professional guidelines, and then securely destroyed.

5. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request access to your personal information that I hold.
• Correction: You can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and professional obligations.
• Restriction: You can request restrictions on the processing of your personal information.
• Objection: You can object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Portability: You can request the transfer of your personal information to another service provider.
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To exercise any of these rights, please contact me.

6. Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or practices. I will notify you of any significant changes.

7. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact me using the contact form.