Policies

A legal disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice. While every effort is made to ensure that the information contained on this website is accurate and up to date, no guarantees are made regarding its completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability.

Accessing this website or contacting T.S. Counselling through this website does not establish a therapeutic relationship. A counselling relationship is only formed once an initial assessment has taken place and a counselling agreement has been agreed by both parties.

The content of this website should not be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are at risk of harming yourself or others, or require urgent support, please contact your GP, NHS 111, emergency services by calling 999, or an appropriate crisis support service.

Links to external websites are provided for convenience and information only. T.S. Counselling accepts no responsibility for the content, accuracy, or availability of external websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, T.S. Counselling shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from the use of, or reliance upon, information contained within this website.

By using this website, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this disclaimer.

GDPR Privacy Statement

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018, you have specific rights regarding the personal data we hold about you. This statement explains how we collect, use, and store your information, and your rights in relation to it.

1. Data Collection and Use
We collect and process personal information, including counselling records, to provide therapy services to you. The lawful basis for processing this data is:

To fulfil our contract with you.
To comply with legal obligations.
To meet ethical requirements for professional record-keeping.

2. Data Retention

Records are kept for 5 years after the termination of therapy and then securely destroyed.
For clients under 18, records are kept for 5 years after their 18th birthday.
Certain records may be retained longer if required by insurance companies, regulatory, or professional bodies.

3. Your Rights Under GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access: You can request to see your records by making a formal request.
Rectification: You can request corrections to your personal information (e.g., change of name or address).
Erasure: You can request your data to be erased, although there may be legal or ethical reasons why we cannot immediately comply (e.g., professional obligations to retain records).
Restriction or Objection: You may request that we limit or object to certain processing of your data.
Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Complaint: You can lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data rights have been violated.

4. Data Sharing
Your records may be shared only when required by law, for insurance purposes, or with professional regulatory bodies. We do not share your personal information for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security
We take appropriate measures to ensure your data is kept secure and confidential at all times.

6. Consent
By signing this document, you consent to your records being retained in line with this policy:

For adults: 5 years after termination of therapy.
For clients under 18: 5 years after your 18th birthday.

Complaints

I am committed to providing a safe, professional and ethical counselling service. If you have any concerns about our work together, I encourage you to discuss them with me in the first instance so that we can try to resolve them openly and constructively.

If you feel unable to raise your concerns with me directly, or if you remain dissatisfied, you may make a formal complaint. As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and am subject to their Professional Conduct Procedure.

Further information about making a complaint can be found on the BACP website. BACP Professional Conduct Procedure

Safeguarding

T.S. Counselling is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all clients. Safeguarding refers to the responsibility to protect individuals from harm, abuse, or neglect, and to take appropriate action where there is a concern about safety.

While counselling is a confidential space, there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality. If there is a serious concern that you or someone else is at risk of significant harm, I may need to share relevant information with appropriate services such as emergency services or safeguarding professionals. Wherever possible, I would aim to discuss this with you first unless doing so would increase risk.

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to, risk of harm to self or others, disclosure of abuse or neglect, or situations where there is a legal obligation to disclose information.

I work in line with the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which guides my practice in relation to confidentiality and safeguarding.

If you have any questions about how safeguarding is managed within my practice, you are welcome to discuss this at any time.