CLIENT PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION POLICIES
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Enquiries submitted through the contact form on my website are sent directly to me by email and deleted from the web host (Webhealer) systems once delivered. No data is passed on to third parties. Your information is used solely for the purpose of correspondence between you the sender and myself Tina Welch.
All of my contact details are private and personal to me. No one else shares or views my emails, telephone number or text, although these should only be used to arrange or reschedule appointments as Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. Although best efforts will be made to protect your information the security of your data transmitted via email cannot be guaranteed. Any transmission is at your own risk. Once your information has been received, all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent unauthorised access.
Having requested an appointment, I would ask you to provide your name, telephone number, email address and availability for appointments.
CONTACT DETAILS
During your first appointment you will be asked to complete & sign a client contract & Data protection form. This form includes your Name, address, contact details, G.P name & address & your date of birth along with a hard copy of this data protection policy. By signing this agreement, you will be providing me with consent to keep your personal details as outlined in this policy.
I don't keep client names or contact details on my contact lists so should you need to leave a message, text or email, please add your name at the bottom. Once I have dealt with the inquiry I will delete or print it to add to your notes if necessary.
I will not share any contact details, personal information or notes with anyone else unless I am concerned about your safety or the safety of others. Should this happen I will contact the appropriate professional department to deal with the issue, this may include your G.P, Police, Social Services, The Crisis Team or Safe Guarding.
NOTE KEEPING
I abide to the B.A.C.P. Code of Ethics and Practice I am therefore bound by its ethical framework. I'm committed to providing counselling in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. I regularly have supervision where I may discuss aspects of our work where I need clarification on the way I work with you, however I never disclose client details or any information which could identify my clients in any way.
I hand write some notes after sessions which is a requirement of my insurance company and Governing body, The BACP. These notes will be kept in a locked cabinet in between sessions. If you see me in Exeter I will transport your notes with me to Exeter, until the end of the day when they will be returned to the locked cabinet in Honiton. I don’t keep any personal information or notes on any electrical devices.
I am happy to discuss sharing information regarding your therapy/counselling process, should you request or agree to me doing so but when ever possible I will always share the content with you before passing it to third parties.
Once therapy has ended, I will keep your client notes for a seven year period. Should you decide to return to therapy I will have your notes to hand and any additional information will be added to these. After seven consecutive years of no therapy all the notes I hold on you will be cross shredded and destroyed.
In rare cases I am required to share my notes if issued a subpoena by a Court of Law or Coroner. I would also need to use my notes to defend myself if a complaint was made against me.
In the unlikely event that something should happen to me, my next of kin will give all of my notes to my Supervisor who will contact you if therapy is on going, then destroy all the therapy notes I have in my possession.
SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT BETWEEN SESSIONS
I do not follow clients on Twitter, FaceBook or other social networking sites.
I can not engage in therapy via emails, text or calls outside of the contracted sessions. If I see a client elsewhere outside of sessions I will not initiate contact to protect confidentiality.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to ask for a copy of your information. You also have the right to require the correction of any inaccuracies in your information. If you would like to do this, please email me to request this.
You may withdraw your consent for me to hold and process your data at any time. In order to do this, please contact me via email. Please note, however, that if you do withdraw your consent while receiving counselling, your therapy would need to end.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
This policy may be reviewed from time to time. If any substantial changes are made, these will be communicated via this website.
This information will also be contained in the written agreement that I shall supply at the commencement of our work together and, by signing this agreement, you will be providing me with consent to keep your personal details as outlined in this policy.
Updated 23.05.18
