PRIVACY POLICY AND CODE OF ETHICS

CERTIFICATION, INSURANCE AND CODE OF ETHICS

I am a qualified Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist with a Diploma from The Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology (CICS).

I am registered with The College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) registration number 4382, and adhere to their professional Code of Ethics and Practice. Any complaints about my practice can be made to COSRT, link here.

I have professional liability insurance with Holistic Insurance and hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate.

PRIVACY STATEMENT AND DATA PROTECTION

I am registered with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) , registration number ZB578676. This means I need to tell you what data I am collecting from you and what I intend to do with it.

Name and Age: This is basic information that helps me get to know you.
Address, email address, phone number: I use these as a way of contacting you regarding your sessions.
Doctor’s details: I may need to contact your GP if you give significant cause for concern, such as harm to yourself. It is extremely unlikely I will do this without speaking to you first, only in an emergency.
Medical details: There are some medications and conditions that may impact the way you are currently feeling, this information gives further insight into the presenting complaint and how best to managed it and whether talking therapy is suitable for you at the present time.
Notes: After each session I make brief notes, this is primarily progress and outcomes, any resources I have sent, and a reminder for me as to what we discussed so I can pick up the thread for the following week and be prepared for you.
Sharing Data: It is very unlikely I will share your data. I will not sell it on or use it for unethical reasons. I may have to share it if:
- My notes are subpoenaed by court.
- If you or anyone you tell me about is at harm or risk of harm whereby I may have to pass this information to your GP or the police.
Storing and Disposing of Data:
- My website and the contact form do not store messages, these go directly to a private email address which is password protected on Outlook.
- All digital documents are stored in your personal file with a unique code in a password protected Dropbox account. All written notes are scanned using password protected Scanner Pro and uploaded to the same file and the paper shredded.
- All of my devices are password protected, and your first name and phone number may be kept in my business mobile phone which is also passcode protected.
- I will keep your contract, session notes, your name and your unique code for 7 years from the date of your last session then they will be permanently deleted from Dropbox using their delete system which makes them unrecoverable.
- I will delete your phone number out of my mobile phone 1 month after our work finishes and your emails within 1 month.
Subject Access Request (SAR): Per ICO guidelines, you have the right to request a copy of your personal data. I will respond within one month.
Consent: If you do not consent to me using your data in this way it is unlikely that I will be able to work with you.
If you are not happy with the way I use your data, you can write to ICO at www.ico.org.uk or phone them on 0303 123 1113.