Your privacy is a top priority and what happens to your data is important. This Privacy Policy outlines how Sarah Holbrook Counselling and Wellbeing Services uses and protects any personal information that is supplied. It was last updated in May 2019.
Contact details for Counsellor, Sarah Holbrook
Sarah Holbrook Counselling & Wellbeing Services
90 New North Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD1 5NE
The website address is www.sarahholbrook.co.uk
If you need to make contact, please write to Sarah Holbrook at the above address or email hello@sarahholbrook.co.uk.
Personal information collected when working with counselling clients
When working with counselling clients, the following information is collected and stored on a client registration record.
Name, date of birth, status
Contact information (email, telephone number) and preferred method of contact
Address and postcode
Contact details in case of emergency
GP details, and medications
Relevant background information
A risk assessment is recorded and saved (coded) electronically.
After each counselling session, Sarah Holbrook may make brief session notes. These will be coded and anonymous.
A coded signed copy of our counselling agreement will also be scanned and kept.
Your mobile phone number is stored on my mobile to enable you to be contacted in the event of an emergency, lateness or cancellation. Your number will be removed once counselling sessions have ceased.
Website data and security
If you make contact via the website, this has a valid SSL certificate. This means that when you enter your contact details on the site, there is a secure connection between your computer and the website. The padlock in the corner of the web address bar indicates the website is served over SSL.
When people visit the website, Google Analytics is used to collect standard internet log information to help improve website performance. For instance, it shows how many visitors visit different areas of the website. visitors are going to different areas of the website. This information does not identify anyone. Please read the Google Analytics privacy notice.
Like most websites, cookies are used to help the site work more efficiently.
Sometimes the website may include links to other websites that may be of interest, for instance, in articles. When you leave the site and go to another, this privacy policy no longer applies. Any information supplied will fall under the privacy statement of the website in question.
Data security and protection
The information you provide may be sensitive and your privacy is respected. Systems and procedures are in place to keep information supplied confidential and secure.
Personal records are kept for 6 years and then confidentially destroyed.
Personal information supplied is stored securely and only Sarah Holbrook has access to this.
All personal data is kept secure. Paper-based personal information is in a locked file storage that only Sarah Holbrook has access to. Any data stored electronically is on Microsoft 365. The laptop that Sarah Holbrook uses to support the counselling business is encrypted and password protected.
Any session notes are coded and kept anonymous.
Personal information is never shared or sold to third parties, unless required by law to do so.
Confidentiality and disclosure of personal information..
All personal information given and everything that is shared during sessions is treated with the strictest confidence. In most situations we will not disclose personal data without consent with any individual.
There are situations where confidentiality may be breached, such as if it was felt you were at risk of causing harm to yourself or others, or there was concerns that a child or young person may be at risk from harm or neglect. Any concerns would be discussed with you where possible, before action was taken. Also, if ordered by a court of law to provide information held about you, this must be done.
All counsellors have a supervisor to support their practise. Client details may be discussed with Sarah Holbrook’s supervisor however this is under an agreement of confidentiality and anonymity is always maintained.
Your rights
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) you have rights which you can exercise in relation to the information we hold about you. You can read more about these rights on the ICO’s website. https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/
Access to your personal information
You can make a ‘subject access request’ under GDPR to find out what personal information is held about you, why it is being held and who it could be disclosed to. We will also let you have a copy of the information.
To make a request for any personal information held, do this in writing or by email using the contact details above.
Complaints and queries
Concerns and complaints are taken seriously.
If you wish to make a complaint about the way your personal information has been used, this can be done by contacting the ICO. This is the body that oversees data protection law. .
If you think the personal information, collected about you, is inappropriate or unfair, please let me know because I welcome suggestions for improving the way I work.
Privacy Policy for Sarah Holbrook, Counsellor in Huddersfield
