Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY

"H Phillips Counselling" is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in a safe and responsible way. This policy outlines how we aim to achieve this and includes the information collected when:

• you use our website (http://hphillipscounselling.co.uk)
• you complete an enquiry form

DEFINITION OF PERSONAL DATA

Personal Data means any data that relates to an identifiable person who can be directly/indirectly identified from that data. In this case, it means personal data that you give to us via our site.

By providing your personal data, you agree that we can use your personal data in accordance with this policy. We collect, use and retain Personal Information about you only to the extent that is reasonably required to conduct our business effectively.

Ensure you understand this policy in its entirety and take your time to read it.

The General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’)

I “Hilary Phillips” am the registered ‘data controller’ for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

This Privacy Notice is effective until further notice.

It is therefore very important that the information I hold about you is accurate and up to date.

Please keep me informed of all changes of personal data by emailing h.phillipscounselling.gmail.com

Whose data may be collected about you?

This may include Personal data, Identity data, Contact information and Sensitive data.

This notice applies to all individuals whose data is processed by me in the course of my practice as a psychotherapist with "H Phillips Counselling". This may apply in particular to:

- those who instruct me in a professional capacity as their ‘counsellor’ or send me information while making an enquiry or appointment.

- When referring ‘clients’ to third party individuals or other professionals in order to seek further support for the client while acting in the course of my practice.

- those contacting me by e-mail or through "H Phillips Counselling ""website, Facebook or Instagram  or other social media platforms.

- Professionals involved deemed necessary to support any client further.

- Any Client Pre-Questionnaires you may have to complete or sensitive data under GDPR Article 9, paragraph 1, 2{h} and 3 .

- Financial details used when paying for counselling sessions/workshops or conference online or by other means.

Categories of data that may be processed:

The information I may process may include:

·      Personal details

·      Family details

·      Lifestyle and social circumstances

·      Events you may have experienced.

·      Financial details

·      Employment details

·      Physical or mental health details

·      Racial or ethnic origin

·      Religious, beliefs

·      Sexual orientation

·      Relevant criminal history

·      Any other personal data relevant to the counselling process in order to support a client.

Sources of data:

The personal information I obtain may include information which has been obtained from clients; other medical professionals; consultants, other parties private or administrative, family and associates of the person whose personal information I am processing; other data processors such as regulatory authorities. This list is not exhaustive.

Consent:

Clients who provide me with information (directly or through an intermediary), in addition to any other applicable lawful reasons to process data (see below) I rely on their consent and will require clients to agree to the terms of this Privacy Notice before commencing the counselling process and by signing a ‘Counselling Contract’.  You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time which will in turn terminate the ‘counselling process’ with immediate effect. I will always endeavour to seek the consent of the client at all times, however in order to ensure the safety of the client, I may have to forego consent if deemed appropriate.

Purposes of data processing:

To collect and use the ‘clients’ personal data for any ‘legitimate interest’ or “medical” purpose for "H Phillips Counselling". I will only use your personal data when legally permitted for the purposes of your time with" H Phillips Counselling." 

With whom will I share your personal information?

 I may need to share your personal information with third parties where I have your consent or consider this to be necessary. These may include:

(a) Medical professionals,

(b) Data processors acting on my behalf such as my e-mail provider

(c) "H Phillips Counselling" who will perform administration, marketing, complaints handling and billing/accounting on my behalf.

(d) IT support staff.

(e) Intended recipients of communications sent on behalf of clients or the individual concerned.

(f) In the rare event if I need to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation, such as contacting your ‘Emergency Contact’ or GP in the event of a medical emergency.

(g) If I am requested to supply my session notes as part of any legal proceedings.

How long will I store your personal information?

All data will be stored securely and confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act  (2018)

I will minimise the data that I retain.

 I will retain copies of all notes made, electronic communications and other relevant data for 7 years from the date of our last session.

Any information I will store will not identify the client by name but by an identifier or code.

All data will be stored in a locked cabinet or in password protected files

After 7 years all data will be professionally destroyed.

Your rights as a ‘data subject’

 You have a number of rights that you can exercise in certain circumstances.

 In summary, you have the right to:

Ask for access to your personal information and other information held by "H Phillips Counselling"

Ask for correction of mistakes in your data or to complete missing information.

Ask for your personal information to be erased, after the allocated time has passed.

Receive a copy of the personal information you have provided to me or have this information sent to a third party.

This will be provided to you or the third party in a structured, commonly used and machine readable format where it has been processed by automated means, e.g., a Microsoft Word or Outlook file.

If you want more information about your rights under the GDPR please see the Guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on Individual's rights under the GDPR.

I will endeavour to reply within one month from when I receive your request.

Please note that the usual rights of data subjects to request and access information may not apply if the information was provided in confidence to myself as a counsellor or in circumstances in which a claim to professional privilege could be maintained (by virtue of paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the Data Protection Act 2018).

There are times when as a counsellor I may have to legally submit information without consent.

·      If required by a court of law.

·      Information in relation to the Terrorism act 2000

·      To protect a vulnerable child or adult at risk of harm

·      Drugs trafficking act 1994

Contact details

My name is Hilary Phillips, and you may contact me at "H Phillips Counselling" First Floor, 2b Molesworth Road, Cookstown BT80 9NR.  h.phillipscounselling@gmail.com

 I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office under number ZB347524.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are in the UK, or with the supervisory authority of the Member State where you work, normally live or where the alleged infringement of data protection laws occurred. The Information Commissioner’s Office can be contacted at http://ico.org.uk/concernshe

However, I would prefer if you came directly to me with any complaint or grievance in order to discuss it more fully, in order to seek a satisfactory solution.

All information is in accordance with the BACP framework to which I adhere to.

https://www.bacp.co.uk