Confidentiality;
Confidentiality forms one of the cornerstones of the therapeutic alliance, and as such, its treated very seriously, by both myself as a practitioner, and by the BACP.
If you decide to make contact or to enter into therapy you will be treated with confidentiality. Specifically, this means that I wont tell anyone you have contacted me, or the nature of what has been discussed, either over the phone or in person.
There are a small number of caveats to the above statement, where I may be legally or ethically obliged to share information. These are set out as follows;
- As a requirement of my membership with the BACP, and in order to maintain best practice, I take part in regular Clinical Supervision. Any client material discussed is treated sensitively with the aim of upholding the therapeutic work. Supervision is bound by the same levels of confidentiality and ethics as therapy.
- If I were to believe that you were at serious risk of harm to yourself, or to someone else.
- If I were to receive a Court Order requesting information regarding information about your sessions.
- If you were to disclose information around any indicated acts of terrorism, drug trafficking or money laundering.
Privacy and GDPR;
In line with the new legislation around General Data Protection Regulations, you are entitled to know how any of your information is held and shared.
- What information do I hold?
As you enter into therapy I may collect some information from you which is known as your ‘Personal data’. This may include the following; Your name, address, contact number, email address and GP details.
- Why do you collect this data?
This information is collected to facilitate our working together, so that I may contact you regarding your sessions if necessary and as a requirement of my therapeutic insurance.
- Where do I keep this information?
Your information will be stored as a paper record, and will be kept in lockable filing cabinet. Contact made through email or phone will be stored on a password protected computer, and pass code protected phone.
- Your rights
Under the Data Protection Regulations, you have the right to access any information held on you. If you would like to make a Subject request, you can do this verbally or in writing and your request will be responded to within one month.
To have any incorrect information rectified – you can request this verbally or in writing.
To have your records erased (in the defence of any legal claims, this request may be declined, citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
To restrict processing (this request may be declined citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
To object to processing of your data (this request may be declined citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
If you have any queries around data collection, you are welcome to contact me over email – gemmaslobom@gmail.com, or fill in a contact request on the contact tab of this website.
If you have any concerns around how your data is held, you can contact the Information Commissioners Office on 0303 123 1113, or visit their website for further information;
Gloucestershire Counselling 