How I Use and Protect Your Information
This page explains how I use and protect your personal information if you contact me. I keep this page updated, so I encourage you to review it occasionally to make sure you feel comfortable and familiar with its contents. It also explains our working agreement and the responsibilities involved. By consenting to this, you help ensure our sessions run smoothly. Any links on this page will take you to external organisations.
Confidentiality
Your sessions are confidential, and your notes are stored securely. In certain situations — such as concerns about serious harm to yourself or others, or matters involving serious crime — confidentiality may need to be broken. Wherever possible, this will be discussed with you first, and information will only be shared with those who have a genuine need to know.
Ethical Framework
I am a fully qualified member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and follow their professional guidelines. As required by this professional body, I attend regular clinical supervision so I can reflect on and develop my practice. My supervisor follows the same ethical standards to maintain confidentiality, and you will not be personally identified during supervision.
We can discuss the complaints procedure at any time. I hope that if any issues arise, we can resolve them together informally. If this is not possible, I will provide you with BACP guidance on making a complaint and ensure you are supported in using it effectively.
In line with my ethical responsibilities, I hold full professional and public liability insurance.
Your Notes and Personal Information
All of my professional records are stored electronically and managed in accordance with the requirements of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
It is a professional requirement that session records and your contact details are kept for a number of years. I take this responsibility very seriously and will ensure your information remains safe and secure. You also have the right to understand how your information is stored, why I collect it, how it is used, and how it will eventually be disposed of.
Under ICO regulations, you may request to see any personal information I hold about you, and I will respond within one month.
Questions or Further Information
Please feel free to ask questions or request more information or clarification at any time during our work together.