The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs the collection, storage, and sharing of your personal information. This page outlines the GDPR policy (formerly known as the Privacy Policy). By making contact, you acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this policy.
Personal Information Collected from Website Contact Forms
· Your full name
· Your email address
· Your phone number
· The nature of your enquiry
Personal Information Collection
Personal information may be gathered during initial telephone contact and/or throughout the course of your therapeutic treatment.
· Your name
· Your email address
· Your phone number
· The nature of your enquiry
· Gender (or preferred identity).
· Religion / Ethnicity / Country of birth
· Date of birth.
· Relationships and family (past and present).
· Occupation and education.
· Home address
· Previous experience of mental health treatment / diagnosis.
· Doctors name and contact details
· Medical conditions.
· Prescribed medication.
· Difficulties.
· Session summaries.
How Your Personal Information Is Stored
Paper Records:
Any handwritten notes are either securely stored in a locked cabinet or securely destroyed after being transferred to an electronic format. All paper records are handled with strict confidentiality.
Mobile Devices:
Your contact number may be stored on a secure mobile device for the duration of your therapy. This may also include any text or WhatsApp messages exchanged for scheduling or communication purposes. These will be deleted once therapy has concluded.
Supervision:
In line with professional and ethical standards set by accrediting organisations (e.g., the National Counselling Society), regular supervision sessions with a qualified therapeutic supervisor are required. Elements of your case may be discussed to ensure best practice; however, your full name and identifying details will never be disclosed. Supervisors are also bound by professional confidentiality and data protection regulations, including GDPR
Breaking Confidentiality
In exceptional circumstances, confidentiality may need to be breached if there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of another individual or group. In such cases, relevant authorities—such as your GP, emergency services, or the mental health crisis team—may be contacted.
Therapists are also legally required to report any disclosures relating to acts of terrorism or the ongoing abuse of a child or vulnerable adult.
While every effort will be made to obtain your consent before sharing information, confidentiality may be broken without consent when it is necessary to protect life or fulfil legal obligations.
Erasing Your Information
All personal information collected (as outlined under Personal Information Collected from Telephone Contact and/or During the Course of Your Therapeutic Sessions) will be retained for a maximum of four years following your final session or from your last point of contact if you choose not to proceed with therapy.
Your contact number will be permanently deleted from all mobile devices within four weeks of your final session.
Your Rights
As a client, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
To request erasure of some or all of your personal data. (Please note that this request may be declined if the information is required to fulfil legal, ethical, or professional obligations.)
To be informed about what personal data is held and how it is used (as outlined in this document).
To access any personal information held about you (free of charge for the first request; a fee of £10 may apply for subsequent requests).
To request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information.
To withdraw consent for the use of your personal information at any time.
Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy 