Therapy with Liz

I consider the privacy of your data to be a very serious matter and want to fulfil the spirit of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which is about protecting your right to privacy, not just about the letter of the law. Here is a list of what I do to protect your personal information. The various paragraphs on this page explain in detail how I collect and use your information.

In this first paragraph I provide an overview to all of the ways I collect information and safeguard your privacy:

1. All files I hold which contain your personal, health and psychotherapy and counselling information are password protected for access. I am the only person who has access to these files on a general basis. My Clinical Executor is the only other person who may have access to these files and only then in the case of my death.
2. Any software application which also holds your personal, health and psychotherapy and counselling information are also password protected for access. No data or information in any of these applications is transmitted across the internet.
3. I only use software where data security is fully implemented and where adherence to GDPR Compliance is confirmed in their terms and conditions.
4. I will never share or sell your information.
5. 5. If you would like to have your details removed from my systems, partially or entirely, I will be happy to do so, providing that there is not adverse reason (such as a complaint or legal reason) for me to do so,
6. 6. I will review my data protection management annually to ensure It is still fit for purpose and complies with current regulation.

Why I Need to Process Your Data

I need to process your personal data in order to provide psychotherapy and counselling services for you, including when you request information about them or when you begin treatment.

This might include obtaining information from you so that I can advise you about the benefits and types of psychotherapy and counselling, as well as when you are attending regular psychotherapy and counselling sessions with me.

I consider that I am not able to provide information and services for you without processing your data.

If You Subscribe to My Newsletter

If you subscribe to my newsletter, by completing the sign up form on my website, I will keep a record of your first name, last name and email address. This data is used to provide you with information in the form of a newsletter about the services I offer as well as information on topics of relevance in psychotherapy and counselling.

I will keep this information on systems which have stated that they are GDPR Compliant in their Terms and Conditions.

Such processing of data is necessary in order to provide you with the news and information that you have requested.

If You Attend Face-to-Face (In-Person) Psychotherapy and Counselling Sessions With Me

If you begin psychotherapy and counselling with me I will collect a variety of personal and health information including:

• Personal Information: Including name and address, phone number and emergency contact information
• Medical Information: Including Diagnosed Conditions and Medication Prescribed
• Sensitive Information: Details about your life, relationships and the difficulties for which you are seeking help through psychotherapy and counselling

I need this information to be able to contact you about psychotherapy and counselling appointments and to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

I also need this in order to offer you a range of diagnosis, assessment and treatment options in psychotherapy and counselling.

All of the information I keep about you will be stored in my own personal systems, All of my personal systems are password-protected and backed up securely and locally. I will be the only person having access to this information.

Your personal information will not be stored on this website.

If You Enquire About Online Therapy or Have Regular Online Therapy Sessions with Me

If you enquire about online therapy with me I will initially collect brief personal information about you including:

• Your Name
• Your Email Address
• Your Location
• Your Reason for Seeking Online Therapy

If later you begin online therapy sessions with me, I will also collect the following information about you:

• Further Personal Information (e.g. date of birth, postal address, phone number and emergency contact information)
• Medical Information (e.g. GP Details, Diagnosed Conditions, Prescribed Medication)
• Sensitive Information: Details about your life, relationships and the difficulties for which you are seeking help through psychotherapy and counselling

I need this information to be able to maintain contact with you about psychotherapy and counselling appointments and to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

I also need this in order to offer you a range of diagnosis, assessment and treatment options in psychotherapy and counselling.

All of the information I keep about you will be stored in my own personal systems, All of my personal systems are password-protected and backed up securely and locally. I will be the only person having access to this information.

Your personal information will not be stored on this website.

Your Rights

You have the right to request to have your details removed from my systems, partially or entirely, and I will be happy to do so, providing that there is no adverse reason (such as a complaint or legal reason) for me to do so. Please complete my Email Contact Form if you would like to do so.

If you have attended psychotherapy or counselling sessions with me and I hold information about you (beyond requesting information by completing a form on this website or signing up for my newsletter), you have a right to receive a copy of this information and I have a duty to provide this information to you within 30 days of your request. Please complete my Email Contact Form if you would like me to do so. There may be a charge for accessing and preparing data.

Full details about your rights to access your data can be found at The Information Commissioner's Website.

Social Media Policy

I engage with a range of social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn primarily, but some others too - so there is a possibility that we may come into contact with each other digitally outside of online therapy sessions.

I keep a Facebook page, a LinkedIn page and Twitter account for professional purposes. You are welcome to look at these and make comments. I will not, however, reply to comments made, 'follow', or accept 'friends' requests from current or former clients as I believe to do so will allow me to have access to parts of your life that you may not want to share with me just yet.

There are two additional reasons that I take this approach:

• Firstly this may compromise your privacy.
• Secondly, as your therapist my relationship with you is professional and to have conversations with you outside of the time and space provided for therapy sessions would be entering into a Dual Relationship, which can have the detrimental effect of blurring the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship.