Privacy statement

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (re no: A8814625)

I will not use your personal data to contact you for any other purpose than psychological therapy, SSP or parenting support, unless you have asked me to do otherwise. I will not share your data with other parties for marketing purposes, or similar.

As a ‘data controller’, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is concerned with the personal information about you that I collect, store, and share, as below:

What I collect (from you)

I collect your name e-mail address and phone number for communication purposes and sending zoom invite links only.

If we agree to work together, I will send you a registration form and contract forms. Information on the forms include:

Name

Address

Telephone number/s (plus permission to text or not)

Email address

Gender (or preferred identity)

Age

Occupation

Names of key family members

Brief therapy history

Relevant medical conditions

Prescribed medication/s

A note of your current difficulties and therapy objectives

SSP intake forms will ask for more information about how you cope with stress and your support system among other information. You retain the right to fill these forms or not.

What I store where

Smartphone:

I store your mobile number but under your initials and a code rather than your name. Only I can associate this number with you. Your emails, telephone contact history and texts may also be stored here should we exchange messages in this way. My smartphone is password protected.

Computer:

The registration form you email to me is held on my computer in a file a password protected folder.

Website:

None of your personal information is stored on my website, other than momentarily if you use the ‘Contact Me’ facility.

Paper:

The only paper work I keep is handwritten session notes. All identifiable details are anonymised (eg initials of names used only).

What I may share

All your personal information and everything you say is treated in the strictest confidence. I will not share your data or personal information with anyone else or with any other body apart from the following therapy-standard exceptions:

Clinical Supervision

Like all registered psychotherapists in the UK, I am required to have monthly clinical supervision to support best practice, during which time some client material is discussed, on an anonymous and confidential basis.

By Order of Law

If I am ordered by a court of law to share any of the information I hold about you, I will share only the minimum detail required and only after discussion with you wherever possible.

Suicidal Intent

If I believe there is a significant risk of you causing serious harm to yourself or another person, or of taking your own life, I may share your contact information and brief mental health details with your doctor or relevant emergency service. I will attempt to discuss this with you first whenever possible.

Terrorism and Money Laundering

If I have become aware of your intent to commit an act of terrorism, or money laundering, the law may require that I inform an authority without seeking your permission or your knowledge.

Erasing your information

I will securely hold your written information for up to seven years for insurance purposes. After this time has passed, I shred all written information.