PRIVACY STATEMENT
This privacy notice explains:
- What personal information I collect
- How I collect your personal information
- How I use your personal information
- With whom I share your information
- How I store your personal information
- How long I keep your personal information for
What personal information do I collect?
- At the initial consultation I ask clients to provide certain information about themselves and their family. This includes: name, address, occupation, date of birth, telephone number, email address and GP.
- I also ask for background information about you and your family and for details of previous or current contact with other professionals, where applicable.
How do I collect it?
- Personal information is generally collected directly from you, but can sometimes be collected from a third party- e.g. if they are the referrer or another professional involved with you and your family.
How do I use your personal information?
- I use the personal information you have given me to provide a context within which I can think about the concerns that prompted you to contact me.
With whom do I share your information?
- I am bound by the code of ethics and practice of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), which includes the principle of confidentiality.
- This means that I would not disclose information about you to a third party without your agreement, except in situations where there was significant concern about harm to you or someone else and this would normally be discussed with you beforehand.
- As part of these codes of ethics and practice I am required to carry out Continuing Professional Development and to engage in regular, ongoing Clinical Supervision. This is to ensure an ethical and professional service to clients. I may discuss you in supervision but would not use any identifying details.
How do I store your personal information?
- The data on paper is kept in a locked filing cabinet. Your phone number may be kept in my business mobile phone, which is passcode-protected.
- Confidential information sent to other professionals via the internet will be password protected, with the password sent separately by text
- Letters sent to professionals such as GPs will be clearly marked Confidential
- All electronic devices (e.g. computer, laptop and phone) used to access stored information will themselves be password protected.
- Monthly invoices and email communications sent between us will not be password protected unless you request it. (See consent form below)
Your rights to view or delete your data on request
- Under GDPR legislation you have the right to look at the personal information I hold about you.
- You can request to see copies of the information I hold about you by contacting me (amoevaleks@gmail.com) and I will respond within one calendar month of the request being made.
- I’ll keep your session notes, your name and your unique code for 6 years which is the time frame my insurance company requests. I’ll shred this privacy consent document and your registration/contract form with your personal information on 1 month after our work finishes. I’ll delete your phone number out of my mobile phone 1 month after our work finishes.
- All emails from you will be deleted as soon as they are no longer needed and at least within 1 month of us finishing working together
- You can ask for your data to be deleted at any time on request by contacting me.
- If you are not happy with the way I use your data you can complain to ICO at ico.org.uk or phone them on 0303 123 1113.
