The type of personal information I collect

I collect and process the following information:

• Your name and contact details
• Case notes regarding you and your counselling

How I get the personal information and why I have it

The personal information I process is provided to me directly by you so that I can help you with your counselling. The information I gather and record is pertinent to your case only. 

In addition to face-to-face counselling, I also offer online counselling via Zoom. This platform is securely encrypted and although Zoom has the facility to record conversations, I will never use this.

How I store your personal information

Your information is securely stored in a locked metal filing cabinet. The key is only accessible by me and is contained in a locked safe. 

I will keep your personal information for the duration of our counselling sessions and for a further 5 years after it has finished in case you decide to return to counselling. This timeframe is a requirement of my indemnity insurance. After this time all documentation will be destroyed.

Disclosure of your personal information 

Your personal information may be affected by other circumstances. In the event of my incapacity or death your personal contact information will be disclosed to the executor of my Professional Will so that they can notify you. In the event of my death my executors will also destroy all contact information and counselling notes.

If I am ever under a duty to disclose or share your personal data in order to comply with any legal obligation, (eg) if I am subpoenaed to court, or as a legal requirement such as safeguarding children or vulnerable adults, terrorism or money laundering. In these circumstances I will comply with any legal requirements to share your information.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

Your right of access - You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information. 

Your right to rectification - You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask me to complete information you think is incomplete. 

Your right to erasure - You have the right to ask me to erase your personal information in certain circumstances. 

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, I have one month to respond to you.

In the event of a data breach

I have a legal obligation to report a data breach to you and the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours.

Consent to the GDPR agreement

Your use and undertaking of my Counselling services constitutes your approval and acceptance of this agreement, and are consenting to my use, and storage of your personal information that you have disclosed to me, as detailed above. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

How to complain

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me at Nickybeanlandcounselling@gmail.com.

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:           

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk