Introduction
One of the things which helps to make psychotherapy and counselling effective is that it offers you a safe, and confidential space. Our conversations are strictly private. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also seeks to protect your privacy in respect of data held about you. The GDPR asks for specific consent to be given for data to be processed.
Limits to your confidentiality
In common with all therapists and counsellors, I discuss my work with a trusted, experienced colleague on a regular basis. This is a confidential process of consultation and supervision, and a prerequisite for professional registration. This helps to ensure that you are getting the right care. These conversations are governed by an ethic of confidentiality and respect. Your identity is protected in these forums, to preserve your privacy throughout this reflection process. This person also holds details of how to access and deal with all my client and business information in the event of my incapacity or death.
I do not disclose notes or the content of sessions to third parties unless I am legally required to do so. There is a legal requirement to disclose your personal data in order to safeguard children/vulnerable adults, report money laundering or terrorism or if I am subpoenaed by a court of law. If that occurred, I would first discuss this with you in detail as far as is possible. If you or another person is at serious risk of harm I may wish to speak to your GP or other person who can assist in such a situation. I would never take this step lightly, and would always discuss it with you in detail first as far as is possible.
What records do I keep and how are they kept?
I may keep some brief sessions notes, to act as an aide memoire of our work together. These typed notes are kept in a separable, password protected hard-drive, in a password protected directory, at my home office. An electronic copy of the agreement to “The Framework” and “GDPR Consent” form is also held in a separate directory on this drive.
I keep your contact details on my phone and on my computer. These contact details are shared between my devices using Google Contacts for which I maintain a secure password. I use this information to contact you, and I will not pass this information on to anyone else. I do not use your contact details for marketing purposes.
I securely and confidentially dispose of all data kept about you, including all notes, three years after the end of the therapy.
If you wish to withdraw your consent to me using your data at any point please let me know by email to lloyd@sw6psychotherapy.com.