COUNSELLING Privacy Notice: In a Nutshell Your privacy is very important to me and you can rest assured that your personal details will only be used as a means of making contact with you as the purpose you have given them to me. I adhere to current data protection legislation, including General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR: EU/2016/679), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. I am registered with the Information Commissioners office (ICO number ZA550081). I am happy to chat through with you any concerns you may have around how I store your data.
The GDPR says I must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. These use is determined during and after the end of therapy. During therapy: I need to make contact with you for the performance of our contract. During and After therapy: I hold basic records, including texts and emails, for 5 years as ‘legitimate interest’ as determined by my insurance policy for any ongoing claims. After this point I will securely destroy all records so please bear this in mind when re-contacting me. If you wish for your records to be deleted sooner than this, please apply to me in writing with your signature, noting that I will not be able to provide evidence of our work should it be requested of me by any authority. I am obliged to look after sensitive information appropriately.
This is kept and processed under the provision of health treatment (counselling) and is necessary in our contracted partnership. At the outset I collect information to help me satisfy your enquiry and for me to make contact with you. This includes your name, contact number and email address. If you decide not to proceed beyond the first session, I will delete all information after 30 days. While you are accessing counselling Everything is held securely and data records on names and personal details are held separately from basic notes made in sessions.
These notes are available for you to view at any time and serve in my smooth running of service to you. My formal notes can be accessed, via the means of a data request from you in writing. These can be viewed only in person in session and cannot be copied or taken away. Your rights You have a right at any time to view or delete the information I keep on you. Please put a request in writing to dannifindlaycounsellor@outlook.com. You are also able to contact me for any complaints you have on how I handle your personal data. I naturally welcome suggestions for improvement at any time. You are free to contact the ICO who oversee data protection in law and with whom I am registered (information on request). Data security I take the security of your data very seriously and make every effort to ensure it is secure. Personal details and notes are electronically stored with password to access the device and password to open the documents. These are kept separately from each other using a pseudo-numeric system known only to me. Informal, paper notes have no personal details and are stored in a locked cupboard.
Any questions, please do ask