Data Privacy Statement in Compliance with General Data Protection Regulation, Effective May 25th 2018 adjusted on June 05th 2020
How will your information be used?
Confidentiality is of primary concern, so to help maintain confidentiality I will use the client’s first
name or initials only on documentation I hold. As your therapist I will keep confidential session notes while you are attending therapy, this is in addition to the information recorded on the ‘Intake Form’ this is used to identify you, assess your suitability for psychotherapy and is a record of your consent for same. The session notes and “Intake Forms” will be held separately in a locked cabinet.
Limits to confidentiality as outlined in your initial intake apply to all forms of contact.
Telephone Therapy : it is essential you ensure you have a confidential space to engage in Telephone Counselling and Online Therapy.
Online Therapy: I am certified to offer Online Therapy I have a webclinic via an encrypted platform with end to end security in line with HIPAA – this is best practice for online therapy using technology, these options are in addition to or in the absence of Face to Face Therapy.
Unscheduled phone calls, emails or texts should be brief and not be used to process or discuss therapy sessions, a brief call or text to confirm or cancel appointments is appropriate. Clients are advised not to use social media apps e.g. Facebook/ Messenger to communicate with the service.
What is the Legal Basis for this and How Long Will Your Information be retained?
I retain your Data for legal reasons such as requirements set down by our insurers and to respond to potential disputes and complaints. Your data is retained for a period of 7 years after the end of the therapy relationship or in the case of minors who attend therapy, data is retained for 7 years from the point a child or adolescent has turned 18.
What Are Your Rights Under the GDPR?
You have a right to access a copy of the session notes should you so wish once you have given written consent to take on responsibility for this data. You also have the right to request amendments or deletion of information held about you under the General Data Protection Regulations (revised May 2018).
However, it is policy to retain a copy of client information and case notes for 7 years after your therapy ends, as a record of the therapy relationship. You may request a copy of any information pertaining to you that is held on file within and I will respond to requests within 40 calendar days as per the legislation.
What Are The Limitations of Confidentiality in the Contract You Make with Your Therapist?
There are some exceptional circumstances where I may have to break confidentiality such as where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, especially a child. Breaking confidentiality may entail contacting the Gardaí, your doctor or medical physician or your next of kin depending on the circumstances and risks that are identified. Under the Children’s First Bill 2012 and Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons 2012, as your therapist I have a statutory obligation to report a concern of child abuse to the HSE. As a therapist I am obliged to attend mandatory clinical supervision in which support and guidance is provided for their clinical caseload. Within this process no identifying information is given and pseudonyms are used to ensure confidentiality.
Note: Reports are not provided for court purposes or to resolve personal medical or legal disputes that you may be engaged in. This is to protect the therapeutic process, as clients often change their perspective between sessions or may risk their view being misrepresented by the therapist.