Confidentiality
In my counselling practice, I offer private and confidential support. Confidentiality is an important part of the therapeutic relationship but there may be exceptional circumstances, where I might ethically or legally have to give information to relative authorities. For example, if I had strong reasons to believe that someone, especially a child, is at serious risk of harm, or to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
In the event of having to break confidentiality, I would always try to discuss any proposed disclosure with you first, unless I believed that to do so could increase the level of risk of harm to you, or another person.
If you wish to attend counselling with a partner or family member, individual assessment sessions for each person are a requirement of our work together. What is discussed in those individual sessions, is confidential with the person sharing the information.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is an issue for some people who enter counselling. Working with couples or family members together, may not be safe. Individual counselling or other outside support may be advised.
Domestic abuse: how to get help
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help#contentsGuidance
Reports and client records
Client records are not suitable as evidence in legal proceedings. I reserve the right to resist legal requests to produce the records in court. I do this to protect my duty of confidentiality to my clients. Notes would only ever be shared with a third party, if required to do so by a court of law in extreme cases.
Data protection
The information about confidentiality in no way contravenes your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 to access personal data that I hold.
Your personal data
I recognise that on rare occasions my clients may wish to exercise their rights under the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 and make subject access request in respect of their personal information held. Often during counselling, information is provided by more than one individual. In these cases, I will only release information if, all the individuals involved have given consent. If at any time, you wish to exercise your right under the act you should put your request in writing and provide evidence of your identity such as a copy of your passport or driver’s licence and proof of you address. When I receive your request and evidence of identity, I will respond to your request within one calendar month.
Codes and ethics practice
All counsellors and supervisors are required to comply with the code of ethics and practice. To ensure I do so, I am a registered member of the BACP.
Member of organisations
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. (BACP)
Information commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Feedback and complaints
If you have any feedback about the service that you have received both positive and negative, please feel free to do so in writing. If you are not satisfied for any reason, I am more than happy to talk through any concerns, so we can hopefully resolve the issue. I will also take your complaint to my clinical supervision. Clinical supervision supports in me working in the best interest of my clients. Receiving your feedback will help me improve my service. If appropriate, there is a higher complaints procedure that can be followed.
Confidentiality statement to be read and signed by each client….
Some of the information that I may collect from you is classified, as sensitive personal data. I can only use such data where we have your explicit consent. This data may include information about racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, physical or mental health, sexual health.
Your personal and sensitive data will only be used, to provide my counselling service to you and for managing quality assurance and the effectiveness of my service.
I will securely hold your confidential records. All records are kept in a locked cabinet. These records are subject to data protection regulation May 2018. Your personal and sensitive data will only be used in assurance to provide a quality service for you. Records are kept for a period of up to 7 years and then are destroyed
Unauthorised electronic recording
For us to work safely and effectively, it is important that the privacy of the work is respected. Please, therefore, do not attempt to record sessions using any device or app. If it is found that recordings have been covertly made, services for the individual responsible will be discontinued immediately and I reserve the right to seek legal advice regarding possible further action.
Before we begin - A Client Confidentiality and General Data Protection Contract Agreement will need to be signed to receive counselling
If we are not meeting face to face, I may either post or email you the contract for counselling. If emailing, I may merely ask you to send a reply to say that you have received and read the contract and agree to receiving counselling and the terms listed.
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