Privacy Policy
Whitstable Counselling is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it and how we keep it secure. We may change this Policy from time to time so please check this page occasionally to ensure that you are happy with any changes.
As a client, when you attend an initial consultation, we begin with a working agreement that explains client confidentiality and data protection, as well as when confidentiality may be breached. You will need to sign this agreement before we commence therapy.
What type of information is collected from you?
Name
Address
Contact number
Email address (optional)
Contact details for an emergency purposes.
Contact details for your GP, for use, if necessary with your permission
In addition you may wish to share details of any relevant presenting issues such as mental wellbeing, legal or physical health issues and medication.
Storage of Personal Details
Personal data that identifies you is held separately from your counselling notes to protect your anonymity. All your data is held securely.
Appointments are recorded in a paper diary noting only your first name. This diary is stored separately from your personal details and case notes.
A mobile phone is used for client phone calls and text messages. Telephone numbers are not stored in contacts under your name and the phone is password protected.
A password protected computer is used to process client emails and other necessary correspondence.
The Whitstable Counselling website does not store personal information.
Deletion of your Personal Details
After counselling has ended your personal details will be stored for two months. They are then shredded.
Your case notes are kept in line with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) recommendations. They are then shredded.
Sharing your personal information
We do not share your personal information with anyone else unless in pursuit of counselling on your behalf and only then if we have your permission to do so. In exceptional circumstances we may be required by law and our ethical responsibilities to break our confidentiality with you.
Your Rights
In accordance with current Data Protection legislation you have the following rights:
- To be informed of the information that is held about you
- To see the information that is held about you (please provide one month’s notice)
- To rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal information
- Withdraw consent for your personal information to be used
- To request that some or all of your personal information be erased (though this can declined to meet legal obligations)
Use of ‘cookies’
We use Google Analytics to measure what our visitors do on our site. This is the most common analytics tool on the Internet, and we use it to look at things like which pages are most popular, and which browsers people use. It’s a really useful service for us, because we want to keep on learning about what makes a good user experience.
If you wish to restrict or block cookies which are set on your device then you can do this through your browser settings. You may wish to visit aboutcookies.org for further information.
Review of this Policy
We keep this Policy under regular review. This Policy was last updated in 2nd August 2018.
Contact us
Any questions regarding this Policy and our privacy practices should be sent by email to info@whitstablecounselling.co.uk