Inspired Counselling ServicesStephen McFarland

Privacy Policy

Inspired Counselling Services

Data Protection & Privacy Policy

Introduction

Inspired Counselling Services, referred to below as the " Practice", is committed to protecting your privacy.

Please read the following in order to learn more about this Practice's Privacy Policy, the way information is collected and processed.

When you request counselling with the Practice, you will be asked to consent to the processing of your data under the terms of this policy.

What information does the practice collect?

Counselling/Therapy appointment booking– This can be done online or over the phone. This involves providing your name, telephone number, email address and details of your availability for appointments. You may also decide to offer information about your current issues.

Initial Assessment Appointment– At an initial appointment you will be asked about your current personal, social, employment and health circumstances. You will also be asked about your background and family history, as well as the issues which are affecting you now. This information is required in order to decide about the help that is needed and to manage the therapeutic service offered to you.

Ongoing counselling/therapy appointments-Further information about your background and circumstances may be provided as part of the ongoing therapeutic process.

Website – Search Max is used to collect anonymous data relating to user behaviour and ‘web traffic’ statistics. The collection and use of this data by Google Inc. is subject to their own Privacy Policies.

What is the information used for?

1)To provide you with the professional counselling/therapy service requested.

2)To administer the service including arranging suitable appointments and fee payment.

What information is shared?

Information about you will not be shared with other organisations or people, unless:

Consent – You have requested or agreed that information may be shared with health, social care professionals or others.

Serious harm – There is reason to believe that sharing information with relevant authorities may prevent or stop serious harm being caused to you, another person or the public.

Compliance with law – If required by law, your information may be shared.

How is your information kept safe?

All information you provide is stored as securely as possible. All written notes and correspondence are kept secure on an online practice management sofware. 

Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. Although best efforts will be made to protect your information the security of your data transmitted via email cannot be guaranteed. Any transmission is at your own risk. Once your information has been received, all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent unauthorised access.

Client notes and other documentation are destroyed as confidential waste, 5 years after the end of counselling.

Your rights

You have the right to ask for a copy of your information. You also have the right to require the correction of any inaccuracies in your information. If you would like to do this, please email the Practice to request this.

You may withdraw your consent for the Practice to hold and process your data at any time. Please note that if you do withdraw your consent while receiving counselling/therapy at this practice, it would not be possible to continue to provide you with a therapeutic service.

You can withdraw your consent by contacting the Practice via email.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be reviewed from time to time. If any substantial changes are made, these will be communicated via this website.