Privacy and data protection

Everything that we discuss over the course of our work together is confidential, except in the following circumstances:

Harm to self or others

I reserve the right to break confidentiality if I think that you have become a danger to yourself or others. I will attempt to discuss this with you and my supervisor first, but this may not always be possible.

For legal and ethical reasons

I am not bound by confidentiality if I feel I can assist in the prevention or detection of a serious crime. This includes safeguarding issues regarding children or vulnerable adults, crimes regarding substantial financial gains and losses, and acts of terrorism.

The information I store on secure record for the purpose of offering therapy is: your name, date of birth, contact details, GP and an emergency contact, which you may provide via a client agreement form. As a member of BACP, I am also required to keep accurate and appropriate notes of our work together. As such, I record brief, confidential session notes on secure record. I am required by my liability insurance to keep case notes for 7 years after the date of our final contact in case of claims or complaints. All other records, including electronic communication, are erased after 1 year from our final contact. You may request to see the information held about you at any time, and will be given an appointment to view your records within 30 days of your request.

The secure video platform I use (Zoom) states in their policies that it meets PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act 2004) requirements for privacy and confidentiality.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (Ref no. ZB815204), which upholds information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. Any information that I keep is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 18), United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.