What is this policy for  

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When you use this website, contact me by email or telephone, or when you visit my practice in person or on zoom, you trust me with some of your information.  I am committed to keeping that trust.  This starts with helping you understand my privacy practices.  I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues www.ico.org.uk.  Registration reference C1260374.  

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If you are not sure about any aspect of how I collect and use your data, please contact me and we can discuss it.  You have the right to complain to the ICO.  Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.  Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

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What information is collected  

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When we first meet, I collect all the necessary information for us to start working together and form a helpful working alliance.  Your title, name, marital status, occupation, address, date of birth, gender, email, telephone, next of kin, therapy history, GP details, medical conditions, medications, qualifications, education, economic and financial situation, religion, sexual preferences, philosophical beliefs, ethnic origins and your payment details.  This is collected via different channels:  email, telephone calls, submitting an online form and our meetings.

 

How I store your personal information 

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No personal information is stored on this website other than to help you contact my email account.  All electronic enquires are erased after three months.  I store your contact details on my phone, under your initials only.  The phone is locked and only accessible using a security code.  Any text messages are assigned to your initials.  All emails are deleted after reading.  All text messages and contact numbers are deleted after three months following the cessation of therapy.  My handwritten notes from the sessions are kept in a locked cabinet in my office.  I hold written information for up to seven years after our contract ends.  This is in case clients decide to return to therapy in the future, as well as adhering to the terms and conditions of my professional indemnity insurance (Howden Insurance).  

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Data security, confidentiality, and the use of electronic communication

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I undertake never to share your contact details, personal details, or online data with any third party, notwithstanding theconditions set out in my client agreement that relate to situations where confidentiality can be broken (UK Council for Psychotherapy).  I ask that all electronic communications between us are kept to the administrative side of therelationship, for example, cancellations, rescheduling, payments, or emergencies.All other issues should be discussed during the
therapy sessions.  

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Your data protection rights 

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You have the right to ask for a copy of your personal information, free of charge, in an electronic or paper format.You also have the right to ask me to amend or change any incorrect information about you.
You have the right to ask me to erase any information that I hold about you.This includes your personal information that is no longer relevant to original purposes, or if you wish to withdraw consent.In all cases and when considering such requests, these rights are obligatory unless it’s information that I have a legal obligation to retain.  In terms of data portability, you have the right to receive your personal information which you previously provided or transfer that information to another party.These rights are subject to some legal exceptions, of which I would inform you if needed to relay on them. 

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