Client Agreement

 In order to develop and maintain a successful counselling relationship, please consider the following; Counselling does not claim to have the answers to all of your difficulties, but it does offer the opportunity for you to explore the different ways of looking at your life in a safe and confidential place. Counselling can be a way to give you the special time and space to discover for yourself more effective and rewarding ways of living and coping with any experiences in your life. Counselling is a joint venture and your commitment to the process is also important.

At Transform Counselling Services C.I.C. (TCS), your privacy and confidentiality are the highest priority when collecting and storing information. This privacy notice explains how I use and store your data and meet GDPR obligations.

Who I am

Data Controllers: TCS

What do I collect?

I will collect ‘personal data’ and ask for your name, contact details, GP’s contact and medication you are on, an emergency contact. This is so that I can contact you if necessary, and also to comply with the regulations of my professional bodies and insurance company. I am required to show the ICO that I have a lawful basis on which I use this information, and the most appropriate is ‘legitimate interest’ for personable (article 6) and special category data (article 9). More details are available at https://bit.ly/2FLs0Bu

I make brief session notes which are coded and stored separately from your personal information.

Storage of Data

Your personal details are stored in a locked cabinet separate from session notes or in a password protected electronic file. Your name and contact details are stored on a password protected mobile phone which is touch ID/password enabled. Session notes are stored in a locked cabinet or in a password protected electronic file.

I will keep your data for the duration of our work together and then securely dispose of information after 7 years.

Sharing of Personal Information

Your information is confidential, and the only exceptions may be when there is a serious risk to yourself or others; when I am legally obliged; or when I have your written consent. The exceptions to confidentiality are:

.  Where the client gives consent for the confidence to be broken

.  If you inform the counsellor that someone you know is at risk of serious harm

.  If you indicate a serious and imminent intention to harm yourself or others

.  If you are involved or know of any terrorist activities

.  If you are involved or know of any drug trafficking or money laundering

.  Where your counsellor has received a court order to appear and give evidence.

I have monthly supervision to check my practice, but my supervisor is equally bound by the same limits of confidentiality.

Your Rights

You are entitled to be informed about what information I hold about you and at any time you can request to access this. You can request to have incorrect information rectified. You may request to have your records erased. The same applies to restricting processing. You can request data portability of your notes to another therapist. You may object to the processing of your data. These rights may be declined, as in defence of legal claims I may be unable to do so citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests.

If you have any concerns about how I have used your data, please contact the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). My data entry can be found on their website at https://ico.org.uk/ 

Counsellor / Counsellor Expectations:

As your counsellor, I will listen to you in a private and confidential setting.  I will offer you my full attention, respect, and a commitment to supporting you in developing your own solutions, insight, awareness, and answers to the issues which are important to you.

Equally, there is an expectation for you to be on time for your session and to give 48 hours’ notice should you wish to cancel your session.

Your allocated Counsellor is bound to the terms in this agreement.

Fees:

Fees for individual sessions are £50 and for couple/family sessions are £65. Sessions will last 50 minutes long unless you want to end earlier, that is your choice.

Please be aware that if you do not cancel your agreed session before 48 hours of the agreed date and time, the fee (where applicable) will remain payable.

If you would like to discuss anything in this agreement, please contact me on info@transformcounselling.co.uk.