Confidentiality

Personal information and the content of sessions is confidential to you and me in line with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.  

At times to help me in my practice I may need to  discuss my counselling work with my clinical supervisor. I will not use  your name or  any other identifying details about you. My clinical supervisor is bound by the same code of ethics as myself.

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On very rare occasions if I discover there is a need to communicate with other professionals, this will only happen by first seeking your permission and knowledge of what is going to be discussed and your signed consent

 

In certain circumstances I may have to make exceptions to the general rule of confidentiality.

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1. If I believe your life is at risk, another person's life is at risk

2. There is evidence of child abuse, or the abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, and where persons are still at risk

3. There is evidence of a child witnessing domestic violence

4. If there is evidence of a crime about which I am statutorily required to report i.e. acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, or money laundering

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In alerting others I would disclose only information relevant to the situation. In the first instance I would attempt to talk this through with you beforehand if possible. However if we cannot agree I reserve the right to breach confidentiality if I make a professional judgement that it is in yours, another's or the public's interest or if there is a legal requirement for me to do so.

 

Data Protection​

I will not share any personal information gained from you for marketing purposes. I will not share any personal information unless required to do so by law as outlined above in the section about Confidentiality. I keep brief paper records which are securely stored in a locked filing cabinet that only I have access to. It is my policy to retain records for 5 years in line with insurance recommendations  after counselling is finished and then destroy by shredding. You are able to see your records on request. I am on the public register of data controllers. 

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The information I store includes:

• Personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, telephone number,  email address and doctors name

• Background information gathered during the counselling assessment relevant to the counselling process

• Confidential brief notes made after each session which helps me reflect on my work alone and

         in supervision

• Your signed agreement to counselling

• Your telephone number is stored on my password protected business phone with your initials as an identifier. This is deleted once we finish the counselling

• Emails and texts are password protected and are permanently deleted when dealt with. Email addresses are permanently deleted when contact has finished 

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Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important. This information tells you what to expect if you share your any personal information with me via www.theresaderbyshirecounselling.com

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It is my policy to respect your privacy regarding any information I may collect from you across my website. I only ask for personal information (Name, e-mail address, address, contact phone number) when you provide it to me voluntarily. This information is used solely for addressing your query and providing you with counselling services. I do not share any personally identifying information publicly or with third parties, except when required to by law. I use wix.com to provide you with this website and a contact form. Your information is collected via a wix.com online form and  as such data is stored and processed accordingly to Wix Privacy Policy (https://www.wix.com/about/privacy)

Data is collected by fair and lawful means, with your knowledge and consent. I only retain collected information for as long as necessary to provide you with an answer or the requested service. I do not accept any responsibility for failures by suppliers or third parties. What data I store, I will protect within commercially acceptable means to prevent loss and theft, as well as unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification (see link above). 

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​My website may link to external sites that are not operated by me. Please be aware that I have no control over the content and practices of these sites and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies. You are free to refuse my request for your personal information, with the understanding that I may be unable to provide you with some of the services you have requested.

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​I reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website. If I make material changes to this policy, I will notify you here that it has been updated, so that you are aware of what information we collect, how I use it, and under what circumstances, if any, I use and/or disclose it. 

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Your continued use of my website will be regarded as acceptance of my practices around privacy and personal information. If you no longer wish to have your data processed by Theresa Derbyshire Counselling or have any questions please email me at theresaderbyshire@protonmail.com 

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