DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT
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In accordance with the provisions of the 2018 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), the UK Regulator for data protection. I conform to my legal obligations regarding the holding and use of your personal data as well as your rights regarding the use of your personal data. My practice is governed by the law of the UK.
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I hold your personal data for the purposes of an initial psychological assessment; provision of a treatment plan of therapy; delivery of therapy according to professional codes of practice; and, where necessary, liaison with other professionals engaged in the treatment of your medical or psychological needs. I have in place secure measures to protect the storage of your data in manual filing systems or electronically. I hold only the minimal data that I require in order to carry out my work with you as your therapist safely and in accordance with ethical standards. Anything spoken about with me in therapy is confidential unless I have serious concerns about your safety or the safety of others or I am required to disclose information by law. Subject to these exceptional circumstances, any contact, written or verbal, with other professional agencies, such as your GP, would be made only with your explicit agreement. You would have the opportunity to correct or amend any document I propose to send to another professional or to ask me not to send it. This would be waived if I consider that you or others are at risk or I am required to do so by law.
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If I am incapacitated or unable to practise I have appointed two professional executors who are qualified therapists, as required by the professional organisations of which I am a member. Only in the exceptional circumstances of my incapacity they would have access to your personal data in order to inform you of the situation and to discuss with you how you wish to proceed. Their handling and use of your data would be governed by the GDPR and their ethical and professional obligations.
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You may ask to see your personal data that I hold. You have the right to request corrections to be made, if necessary. You can request that I pass this data on to another professional in an appropriate form. You have the right for your data to be destroyed in certain circumstances (such as if it was unlawfully processed). However, this right may be overridden if there is a lawful purpose for the data to continue to be held. Please be aware that, as required by tax and other regulatory systems governing my therapy practice, I am obliged to hold personal data for at least 7 years.
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In signing this Data Protection Notice you indicate your consent to my holding and processing your personal data for the purposes set out above in accordance with the GDPR. If you wish to withdraw your consent please notify me in writing. If you require further information about the GDPR please ask me or consult the website of the ICO: https//ico.org.uk. If you have any concerns about the holding or use of your data please talk to me in the first instance. Otherwise you can contact the ICO.
