Evolve Therapeutic Counselling

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Privacy Notice

Your privacy is of utmost importance to me, and I am committed to ensuring that your personal information is kept safe and secure. I adhere strictly to current data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) (the GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.

This privacy notice outlines how I will handle your personal information from the initial point of contact through to after your therapy has concluded, including:

• Purpose of Processing: I will process your personal information solely for the purpose for which it was provided to me.
• Requirement to Provide Information: While providing your personal information is not mandatory, it is necessary to facilitate the services I offer.
• Data Storage Duration: I will retain your personal information for the duration necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this notice, or as required by law.
• Recipients of Information: Your personal information will only be shared with relevant parties involved in the provision of therapy services, unless otherwise required by law.
• International Transfers: I do not intend to transfer your personal information to another country.
• Automated Decision-Making or Profiling: I do not engage in automated decision-making or profiling processes with your personal information.
• Data Protection Rights: You have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete it. Please feel free to contact me using the details provided below for any inquiries or to exercise your rights.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding my data protection policy, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact me via evolvetherapies@protonmail.com.

Data Controller Details:

• Data Controller: Evolve Therapeutic Counselling
• ICO Registration Number: ZB046604
• Phone Number: 07383763901
• Email Address: evolvetherapies@protonmail.com

Lawful Basis for Processing Personal Information

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that I must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. Below, I've outlined the different lawful bases depending on the stage at which I am processing your data:

1. For Past Therapy:If you have completed therapy with me, I will use legitimate interest as my lawful basis for holding and using your personal information.
2. For Current or Considered Therapy:If you are currently undergoing therapy or are in contact with me to consider therapy, I will process your personal data where it is necessary for the performance of our contract.

Additionally, the GDPR ensures appropriate handling of any sensitive personal information you disclose to me, known as 'special category personal information.' The lawful basis for processing any special categories of personal information initially is consent. Subsequently, I will retain any counselling records as necessary for potential future reference, with the official legal basis being to defend against potential legal claims.

Example of Information Usage:

Initial Contact:When you reach out to me with an inquiry about my counselling services, I will collect information to better address your needs. This may include an outline of why counselling is being considered along with your name and contact information. Alternatively, your GP or another healthcare professional may provide your details when making a referral, or a parent/trusted individual may provide your details on your behalf.

If you decide not to proceed, I will ensure all your personal data is deleted immediately.

During Counseling Sessions:Rest assured that all discussions during counseling sessions are confidential. Confidentiality will only be breached under conditions as laid out in our counselling contract. I will always strive to discuss this with you first, unless safeguarding concerns prevent immediate consultation.

Record-Keeping and Data Security

To ensure the smooth operation of counselling services, I will maintain a record of your personal details. These details are securely stored on a designated telephone and laptop and are strictly confidential, not shared with any third party.

Session Notes:I will keep written notes for each counselling session. These notes are securely stored in a locked filing cabinet and will have been made taking great care to omit any information with which you might be identified. 

Text Messages:For security reasons, I do not retain text messages for more than one month and only if relevant information is contained within such a message. Contact telephone numbers will be stored for as long as counselling continues but will be anonymised using a simple code. 

Email Correspondence:Email correspondence will be deleted after six months after completion of counselling or if deemed no longer relevant to on-ging counselling work.

After Counselling has Ended

After the conclusion of counselling, your records will be retained for six years from the end of our contact and will then be securely destroyed. If you wish for your information to be deleted sooner, please inform me.

Third-Party Recipients of Personal Data

On occasion, I may share personal data with third parties, such as contracted suppliers for specific tasks. In these instances, I meticulously select trusted partners and establish clear contracts outlining the permissible use of the shared data. These third parties are bound to use your information solely for the designated task and are prohibited from any other unauthorized use.

Your Rights

I am committed to transparency and ensuring your access to your personal information. You have the right to:

• Request the deletion, limitation, or cessation of processing of your personal information.
• Obtain a copy of any information held about you.
• Object to the use of your personal data in certain circumstances.

You can learn more about your rights at ico.org.uk/your-data-matters.

If I hold information about you, I will:

• Provide you with a description of the information and its source.
• Explain the purpose for holding it, the duration of storage, and the basis for this decision.
• Disclose who it could potentially be shared with.
• Provide you with a copy of the information in a clear and understandable format.

You may also request corrections to any inaccuracies in the personal information I hold about you. To make such a request, please address it in writing to evolvetherapies@protonmail.com

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the handling of your personal data, please don't hesitate to contact me using the details provided above. Your feedback is invaluable in improving my data protection procedures.

If you wish to make a formal complaint about how I have processed your personal information, you can contact the ICO, the statutory body overseeing data protection law in the UK, at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

Data Security

I prioritize the security of the data I hold about you. Measures such as encrypted devices and locked filing cabinets are employed to ensure its safety.

Visitors to Our Website

When you visit my website, I utilize a third-party service, GoDaddy, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behavior patterns. This allows me to gather insights such as the number of visitors to various parts of the site. Rest assured, this information is processed in a manner that does not identify individuals. Neither I nor GoDaddy attempt to ascertain the identities of those visiting the website.

Lawful Basis for Data Processing

I rely on legitimate interests as the lawful basis for holding and using your personal information in this manner when you visit my website.

Web Analytics and Content Management

I use Google Analytics to continually enhance the service provided to you. You can review Google Analytics' privacy notice here https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en#zippy=%2Cour-privacy-policy

Additionally, GoDaddy serves as the content management system for our website. Learn more about GoDaddy and data protection here https://www.godaddy.com/en-uk/legal/agreements/data-protection-security-standards

Use of Cookies

Similar to most websites, we utilize cookies to enhance the efficiency of our site's operation. You can learn more about our use of cookies here https://www.godaddy.com/en-uk/legal/agreements/cookie-policy#:~:text=GoDaddy%20%2D%20Do%20Not%20Share%20My%20Personal%20Information&text=If%20you%20are%20an%20existing,by%20completing%20this%20web%20form.

Data Collection

No user-specific data is collected by me or any third party during your visit. If you fill in a form on our website, the data will be temporarily stored on the web host before being transmitted to me.