Confidentiality
Counselling is a confidential service. I do not disclose personal details to anyone except in exceptional circumstances: if someone is at serious risk of harm, or to prevent a miscarriage of justice. If I see a couple or family member individually, then the individual session is confidential and will not be shared with a partner or family.
Records and Data protection
I keep hand-written case notes; usually a brief, general note made after the session, in a locked filing cabinet. I keep full client names and contact details only in my locked phone. You have the right to see case notes and I am happy to discuss them with you. If clients request it, I will destroy notes when sessions are completed. In couple work, both clients would need to agree to this. I will delete all personal details from my phone one year after counselling concludes. I will usually retain notes for three years and then shred them as confidential waste. I will not give client notes to anyone, other than clients, unless required to do so by a court.
I am registered with the ICO which is the data protection agency (GDPR)
Privacy
I ask you to switch off your mobile phone or put it on ‘silent’ during sessions. Please don’t record a session without discussing it with me first. I will not record sessions.
Codes of ethics and practice
In relationship counselling I work to the Ethical Framework of the BACP
In accordance with this ethical code, I discuss some cases (using only first names) with a BACP registered supervisor.
Counsellor and client contract
The initial session is a chance for you to talk about whatever is concerning you and for me to listen carefully. We will also discuss what you would like to be different in your relationships. After the session I will ask you to contact me if you would like to continue with the work and, if so, over the next couple of sessions we will agree the areas you would like to work on and I will record that in the notes as: What I/we would like to be different. If you are coming for couple counselling, I would want to see each of you for one individual session before we next meet together. We will review our contract (our agreement on the issues you want to work on) at regular intervals.
We will read and discuss this information sheet in the initial session and we can discuss it again at any time during the counselling process.