Privacy Notice
Please read this notice carefully and feel free to ask me any questiosn you may have.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in May 2018. This policy explains how I will handle, process and store your data. Please read it carefully and ask me any questions you may have about it.
I am the data controller and am registered with the Information Commissioners Office. ICO Registration reference: ZA465105
Information I Will Collect & Process from You.
I will collect personal information about you and our sessions together. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Your name and contact details (address, telephone number and email)
- Your date of birth
- Your registered GP surgery
- Your occupation
- Your marital status and number of children
- Details regarding your physical and mental health
- Details regarding your life experiences.
This information will be used to carry out my professional and contractual obligation to you.
Storage of Records.
Any paper records that I keep about you will be held securely in a locked filing cabinet. Your personal information and sessions notes will be stored on Write Upp. An online platform specifically for healthcare professionals. more information about this platform is given below. Your records will be stored for 7 years after your last therapy session. After this period, your records will be destroyed.
Disclosure of Records & Your Information.
I will not tell anyone what we talk about in sessions except in the context of my professional supervision and training. The only time I will involve a third party will be to maintain the safety of yourself or another person, for example, if I thought you were in danger of harming yourself or another person. I will endeavour to negotiate with you regarding the involvement of a third party.
Your basic contact details may need to be released if requested by Public Health England for example: a pandemic. This will not give away your identity as a client nor mine as a psychotherapist.
Supervision.
I am required to have clinical supervision. This is a requirement for all counsellors and psychotherapists whether they are fully qualified or a trainee. It forms part of our ethical practice and ensures that you, the client, receive the most appropriate care. My clinical supervisor is also bound by GDPR and confidentiality regulations.
Telephone and Online Working.
In the event of telephone or online counselling sessions, I will ensure that I am in a room where I will not be disturbed or overheard for the length of our session. Please ensure that you are able to do the same. If this is not possible, please contact me to discuss.
I will use an online platform recommended by an e-safety consultant as being secure for therapy purposes. WriteUpp is ISO27001 certified and registered with the Information Commissioners officer. ICO registration reference: Z2865352. If you require more information about the privacy policy of WriteUpp, please contact me and I will happily provide this information. I have included a link to Write Upp below so that you can be assured of its security and GDPR credentials. https://www.writeupp.com/.
In The Event of My Death or Sudden Incapacitation.
You will be contacted by the executor or a co-executer of my professional will. They will contact you only in the event of my death or if I suddenly become incapacitated or admitted to hospital and am unable to do this myself. The executor and co-executers are within the psychotherapy field and are bound by GDPR and confidentiality regulations.
Your Right to Access.
You have the right to view or obtain copies of any information that I hold about you. This is to be provided free of charge, within 28 days of your request and in either electronic or paper format.
You have the right to ask for any incorrect information to be amended.
You have the right to ask for any information that I hold about you to be erased. This is not an absolute right and only applies in certain circumstances.
If you wish to implement any of these rights, please discuss with me or contact me via email: hello@sharonbakerwellbeing.co.uk
Secure Communications.
Any communications made over email or text can not be guaranteed as 100% secure. Please bear this in mind when communicating information to me. Any information you chose to send to me using these formats is your responsibility.
My mobile telephone, laptop and email are password protected. My laptop is protected from viruses and spyware using Norton Security.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- I will not use AI to assist in the record keeping of my notes.
- I will not input any personal data into AI for the use of supervision or training.
- I will engage and stay updated on relevant regulations and professional standards for using AI in mental health.
- I will inform you should my position on the use of AI change in the future.
- AI will be used on my website in terms of improving search engine optimisation.
- I will be open to conversations surrounding your use of AI.
Data Protection Complaint Procedure.
Should you wish to make a complaint about how your personal information is handled, please contact me via email: hello@sharonbakerwellbeing.co.uk I have 1 month in which to respond to you.
If you are unhappy with this response you can contact the Information Commissioners Office via their online form. This is available here - https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/personal-information-complaint/
For more information on your right to complain, please visit the Information Commissioners Office website https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/personal-information-complaint/
Consent.
By signing below, you give your consent for me to handle, process and store your data in accordance with this policy. You may withdraw your consent at anytime.
Further information.
If you wish to obtain further information about GDPR and your rights, please visit the Information Commissioners Office website on https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/ Or by telephone on 0303 123 1113