Privacy and cookies policy

The General Data Protection Regulation means you have the right to know why I need personal information from you, what I do with it, and who I might share it with.

 

Data controller
Paul Melia is the data controller at Therapy in Manchester.


What information do I collect about you?

When you become a client of Therapy in Manchester I collect and hold the following information:
• Your name, address and date of birth.
• Contact details – a phone number and email address.
• The name and address of your GP.

Some of this information is provided by you by email or by telephone when you book your first therapy appointment. The remainder is provided by you in writing during our second appointment when you sign a declaration agreeing to terms and conditions of my service.

 

How will I use this information about you?
This information is solely used for the purposes of arranging and conducting therapy appointments.
I may share this information with your GP or the law:
• if I have reason to think the safety of a child is at stake, or you are going to harm another person, or you are going to seriously harm yourself,
• if I am compelled by law to provide information.

From time-to-time I make reference to conversations with clients for the purposes of supervision, education and training. I do this in such a way that the client cannot be identified.


How I store your personal information

Your information is securely stored.

Handwritten information (the personal details you provide at the beginning of therapy as well as appointment notes) is kept in a locked cabinet.
IT devices (e.g. computers and smart phones) storing information (e.g. correspondence by email or text messaging) are locked and only accessible by password or by fingerprint or face recognition.

 

Erasing your information
• Handwritten notes (relating to appointments) are retained for 3 years from the end of our work together.
• Electronic records (contact details, emails, and messages) are retained for three years from the end of our work together.
• At the beginning of therapy you provide personal details and sign a declaration agreeing to terms and conditions of my service. This sheet is retained for 6 years.

My policy for erasing records is informed by recommendations issued by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. See,
BACP’S Good Practice in Action (071): Ownership and storage of records in the context of the counselling professions. See in particular, Section 4: How long should I keep my records?
Available at
https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/good-practice-in-action/

 

Access to your information and correction
You have the right to access the information I hold about you.

You may ask me to correct, remove or update information you think is inaccurate.

 

Other websites
My website contains links to other websites. This privacy policy only applies to this website so when you link to other websites you should read their own privacy policy.

 

How to complain
If you are unhappy with how I have used your information please contact me in the first instance.

You can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are unhappy with how I have used your information. The ICO’s address is:
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

 

Changes to my privacy policy
I keep this privacy policy under review and will place any updates on this webpage.

This privacy policy was last updated 13 December 2022.

 

Cookies
Google Analytics’ cookies are text files placed on your internet device (e.g. computer, smart phone) to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information. It does so in a way that does not directly identify anyone.

This information collected is used to compile reports on how this website is used.

For further information visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org

You can set your browser not to accept cookies and the above websites tell you how to remove cookies from your browser.

 

Receipts from the Zettle by PayPal card reader
I use a Zettle by PayPal card reader to accept payment by cards and contactless devices.
If you need a receipt please let me know and I will email a receipt to you.

However, if you want a digital receipt from the card reader then you will need to enter into the reader your name and phone number or email address. Zettle will then store this information. Zettle will send you receipts when you make payments on other Zettle card readers using the same payment card.

Owners of Zettle card readers do not have access to this information.

Zettle is responsible for this processing of your information. See,
https://www.zettle.com/gb/help/articles/2258543-how-we-processes-contact-details-of-cardholders