Your Privacy Matters
I want you to feel safe, respected and understood in your counselling sessions. This policy explains how I handle your personal information and what confidentiality means when we work together. If anything feels unclear, please ask - I’m always happy to talk it through.
Everything you share with me in counselling is private. I won’t share the details of our sessions with anyone else unless we have agreed otherwise, or I’m required to for safety or legal reasons. Your trust is important to me, and I take confidentiality very seriously.
What Information I Collect
To work safely and professionally, I may collect:
- Your name and contact details
- An emergency contact
- Your GP/health professional
- Brief session notes (kept minimal and factual)
- Emails or messages about appointments
How Your Information Is Stored
I keep your information securely as per the requirements of The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
- Digital notes are password-protected.
- Paper notes are locked away.
- Your details are used only for counselling purposes.
I keep your records for 5 years after counselling ends, as required by my insurance policy and then securely deleted or destroyed.
When Confidentiality Might Need to Be Broken
This happens rarely, and I will always aim to discuss it with you first unless it increases risk or is not legally permitted.
Confidentiality may need to be broken if:
- I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm (safeguarding responsibilities).
- You disclose involvement in or plans related to terrorism (required under the Prevent Duty).
- You disclose certain serious crimes or illegal activities that I am legally obligated to report.
- I am required by a court order.
- I discuss aspects of our work in supervision (you are not identifiable).
Safeguarding is an important part of my role. This means that if I believe a child, young person, vulnerable adult, or yourself is at risk, I may need to contact appropriate services to ensure safety.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Ask to see the information I hold about you.
- Request corrections to inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of some information (where legally possible).
- Make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you have concerns about how your data is handled.
Communication & Online Sessions
If we communicate by email, text or video call, I take steps to keep your information secure, though no digital method is ever completely risk-free. You can help by using private devices and secure Wi-Fi connections.
Website Contact Forms & Cookies
If you contact me through my website, the information you submit is used only to respond to your enquiry.
If my website uses cookies, they are only for basic function or anonymous statistics - not for collecting counselling information.
Professional Standards
I am fully insured and practice under the BACP Ethical Framework, which guides confidentiality, safeguarding and responsible record-keeping.