I am registered with the Information Commissoner's Office (ICO) and, in accordance with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), all client data will be processed fairly, lawfully and transparently. I record only information which is required to support my client work. The work we do is confidential; any exceptions to client confidentiality are set out in the Statement of Understanding which I invite clients to sign at the start of our work.
Under GDPR, you have a right to access the data which I hold about you, request rectification of any inaccuracies, ask for the data to be erased or object to me holding data at all.
What data are held?
I store some or all of the following data (provided by you): your name, postal address, phone number, e-mail address, age, GP details, employer name and employment role, current medication, who your immediate family members are, emergency contact details, your therapeutic goals, dates of attendance and brief notes recording the content of each of your sessions.
How are the data used?
I use your phone number, postal address or e-mail address to contact you regarding appointments and to reply to you if you contact me. The session notes, your employment details, family details, your therapeutic goals and details of medication provide background information which supports the counselling work. The emergency contact details and your GP contact details would be used in the event of an emergency. I will never share your details with a third party unless confidentiality has to be broken or unless requested by you.
How are the data stored?
The data are recorded in handwritten format and are stored securely as a paper record in a locked cabinet (your name is in a coded format to preserve confidentiality). In addition, your name, phone number and e-mail address are stored on my mobile phone and on a network-based e-mail system, both of which are password-protected.
How long are the data kept?
I will delete your details from my phone when our work ends. I will keep the paper records securely and will store it securely for six years (in case clients return to work with me during that period) after which time they will be shredded. Any records held by my professional executor will be destroyed after she has contacted you.Tel: +44 (0)7941 488 550
e-mail:actualitycounselling@gmail.com
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect on 25th May 2018, provides a legal framework for keeping everyone’s personal data safe by requiring companies to have robust processes in place for handling and storing personal information.
It is also designed to protect us as individuals from being contacted by organisations without our express permission.
A full guide to the GDPR can be found here.
"... live as if you were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as wrongly as you are about to act now!"
Victor Frankl (1905-1997)