GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) focuses on the personal information that is collected, stored and shared. This page aims to let you know what personal information is collected by me, how it is stored, and who it is shared with.
Personal information you will be asked to share with me:
Name
Date of Birth
Address
Telephone number
Email address
Relevant medical history
Difficulties which have brought you to counselling.
How information is to be stored:
Smartphone – your name (first name and initial of surname) may be stored to identify your telephone number in case I need to contact you in emergencies.
Website – none of your personal information will be stored on my website.
Paper – I do not keep paper copies of your personal information.
Supervision – all qualified and registered counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom are required to have regular supervision with another registered therapist. Supervision aims to provide professional mentoring and support in order for us to develop knowledge, ensure safe and ethical practice, and maintain professional standards. Only your initials may be shared during supervision, not your surname, date of birth or address.
Risk and Emergencies - Counselling is confidential and your information will not ordinarily be shared. However, if information is disclosed which indicates there is a risk of serious harm, to the individual client or another person, then counsellors must disclose this. I always will try to discuss this with you beforehand, unless I believe that doing so will increase risk. I may then share information with the relevant person or organisation without your consent.
Records are kept for 5 years after termination of therapy.
You are allowed to see your notes. Please make your request in email/writing.
You may have your records amended (name, address).
Under GDPR, you may request to have your data erased. However, in the case of counselling records, ethical bodies and insurance companies can ask for records to be available for the period of 5 years.
Records are kept in a secure locked cabinet. Your name is always separated from your counselling notes.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you, and whether I am the right counsellor to help.
You can call me or message me on WhatsApp: 07874012288.
Email enquiries at caroline@betternaturecounselling.co.uk.
I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
I will endeavour to answer your enquiry as soon as possible, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.