This privacy policy allows you to see how SLM Therapy uses and protects any information given by you when you visit this website or book therapy sessions. Your personal information will always be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality and we will never share any information about you with any other company.
What is included under personal data?
The personal data SLM Therapy holds about you may include:
• Your personal details such as phone number, address, email address, date of birth and information about your health
• e-mails and e-mail attachments, SMS/WhatsApp messages we have exchanged
• The initial information which is collected during the discovery telephone call
• Brief notes for each therapy session. This information is collected for the personal and professional development of SLM Therapy and to help tailor any future therapy sessions to the clients needs.
How does SLM Therapy store your personal data?
• All client data will be stored securely in a locked filing cabinet.
• Your phone number may be stored to a SIM card on a mobile phone and will be attributed to your first name or initials only (no surname is used), along with any SMS/WhatsApp messages and records of phone calls. This phone is password protected and is kept secure at all times.
• E-mail correspondence is password-protected and my e-mail service provider ensures that the e-mails are secure and encrypted.
• Appointments are booked in my electronic calendar/diary with your first name only.
Why do I need to hold your personal data?
• In order to be able to communicate with you via phone or e-mail.
• So that I have a record of your attendance and a note of important factual information that may be of significance in our therapy sessions.
How long will SLM Therapy keep your personal data for?
• Hard copies of notes, forms and records of interventions will be scanned and stored securely electronically upon completion of a course of therapy. The hard copies will be shredded using a local secure shredding service which provides certificates of destruction for all paperwork. These certificates are available for viewing upon request.
• Information will be retained for 3 years after the course of therapy has ended. This is in line with the time limits for raising a complaint against a therapist, which is currently three years after counselling has ended under the BACP Professional Conduct procedure.
Your right to see the personal data I hold about you
• The Data Protection legislation states that you have the right to see the personal data that SLM Therapy holds about you.
• If you wish to do so, you can ask to see your personal data, and SLM Therapy will be required to provide this for you within 30 days of your request.
When may I share your personal information with third parties?
There are a limited number of circumstances in which SLM Therapy may share your personal data and other information with third parties.
• Where required by the court of law
• If your safety or that of a vulnerable adult or child is imminently at risk
• If you request and/or give me consent to share your information with another health professional for the purposes of improving your care
• I may discuss some aspects of my client work in supervision for the purposes of professional development and to ensure you are getting the best service. You will not be identified in this situation and the discussions are bound by the rules of confidentiality.
SLM Therapy 