At Theresa Davies Counselling, I am committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.  The purpose of this document is to explain to clients when accessing the counselling service what happens with the data that is collected.

 

Theresa Davies Counselling is committed to complying with the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 and to the responsible and secure use of your personal data.  Theresa Davies Counselling has a legitimate interest in processing personal data in order to provide counselling services.  The purpose of this statement is to let you know what personal information Theresa Davies Counselling collects and holds, why this data is collected, how long it is kept and your rights over your personal data.  Theresa Davies Counselling is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

 

1. Information about you

   1. I collect personal information from you when you enquire about my counselling services in order to set up an initial appointment.  This information includes your full name and contact details.  This along with other information collected at your assessment and subsequent counselling sessions will be stored securely for 7 years and then destroyed.

   2. When you enquire about introductory sessions or counselling sessions with Theresa Davies Counselling, I ask for contact details and relevant personal information from you that is needed to answer your enquiries and to keep you informed about upcoming events that may be of interest to you.  This data is stored securely for as long as you agree to be kept informed of Theresa Davies Counselling’s activities.

   3. As is good practice, I will keep any letters sent out on behalf of clients and disclosure forms, in case they need to be referred to again.  Disclosure forms are your signed permission to disclose any information about you to others.

 

1. Use of this information

   1. Your personal information will be used only to provide you with services and to give you information relating to services.  I will not share your personal details with any other person or organisation without your knowledge and permission, unless there is a legal requirement, for example if there is a child or adult safeguarding issue, or a perceived risk of harm.  A breach of confidentiality is when a person shares information with another in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be kept confidential.

 

1. Security

   1. I will take all reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of information you give us.

   2. Communications in connection with this service may be sent by e-mail.  For ease of use and compatibility, communications will not be sent in an encrypted form unless you require it and give permission to communicate with you in that way.  E-mail, unless encrypted, is not a fully secure means of communication.  Whilst I endeavour to keep our systems and communications protected against viruses and other harmful effects, I cannot bear responsibility for all communications being virus-free.

 

1. Your rights over your personal data

   1. If you would like to see the information I hold about you, or would like to correct, update or delete any records or if you have any concerns about our use of your data, please email theresa.davies@yahoo.co.uk.  I will do my utmost to resolve any concerns you have, but if these are not resolved to your satisfaction, you may choose to contact the ICO.

 

Permission to use different forms of communication:

I cannot ensure that counselling conducted online via Zoom, (or other online platforms such as WhatsApp or Skype), or telephone, is totally secure.  Do you give permission to have counselling sessions via Zoom, other online platforms, or telephone? Yes/No

 

Signed:  ______________________________________  Dated:  _____________________

 

You may be contacted via text message, however, I cannot ensure that the text messages are totally secure.  Do you give permission to send you texts relating to counselling?                                                                                                                                                           Yes/No

 

Signed:  ______________________________________  Dated:  _____________________

 

You may be contacted via email.  I cannot ensure that the email messages are totally secure.  Do I have permission to send you emails pertaining to counselling?                                 Yes/No

 

Signed:  ______________________________________  Dated:  _____________________

 

I confirm I have read and understood how my data is used at Theresa Davies Counselling and I have been given opportunity to ask questions and clarify anything I do not understand.                                                                                                                                   Yes/No

 

Signed:  ______________________________________  Dated:  _____________________

 

 

Print name:  ______________________________________________________________