©2023 Matt Lightfoot Counselling
This Privacy Policy explains how I use and protect any information that you give to me during our interactions. I am commited to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should I ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using my services, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this Privacy Notice.
Personal Information that I may collect about you is as follows:
All client notes are stored in a secure electronic record which is encrypted and accessible only by myself. I may also store information on various electronic devices, such as a telephone number or text messages on a password and biometric protected mobile phone or email account. Information is stored for 5 years before being permanently erased.
It should also be noted that if you pay by BACS or Debit Card, some basic information about you may appear on my bank statements. Payments to me in this way will also show up on your own bank statements. This information will also be available to my accountant or should I need to produce bank statements for anything during my personal life.
Records are accessible (with some safeguards) to clients at their request. Matt Lightfoot Counselling is also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (Registration Numberr ZB509125 - certificate available on request).
Everything you tell me will be confidential in most circumstances. However, there are some exceptions to this:
If I feel at any point that you or someone else is at significant risk of harm, I may have to share information. Where possible, I will endeavour to discuss my concerns with you first
If I am ordered by a court, I will be required to share information about you. It is therefore essential that you inform your counsellor of any forthcoming court case that you may be involved in. There are also requirements to share information should you have any involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking or applicable aspects of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
In accordance with guidlines set by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), I receive regular clinical supervision where I discuss my clients with a qualified Counselling Supervisor to ensure that I am working safetly and professionally. If my work with you is discussed, I will only use your first name. Furthermore, my supervisor will have access to your basic contact information shoudl I become incapacitate in the form of a Clinical Will.