Confidentiality is a very important aspect of the counselling relationship. Our sessions are strictly confidential. However, as a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), I am required to have regular supervision and may need to discuss our work with my supervisor. A supervisor is another counsellor (also bound by the BACP Code of Ethics) that assists me with my work, helping me provide the best service to you. I will not disclose your name or anything that would enable you to be identified. I will also need to keep client records and make short notes of our therapy sessions together. These notes for up to 2 years after the end of your therapy and you can not be identified from them. In compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018, I am committed to safeguarding your privacy as practicably possible and I am also registered on the Information Commissioner’s Register (ICO) Data Protection Register. More information can be found on the ICO website: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
There may come a time when I do have to break confidentiality – if I am convinced that you intend to harm yourself or there is a serious risk to others then I will need to break confidentiality. In very rare cases I may be required to break confidentiality by law.