GDPR Policy

Privacy Policy

GDPR will provide increased protection for the personal data of individuals by imposing a new framework of rules for organisations, which handle or process such personal data.
This framework of rules will apply to MAC Counselling as a ‘controller’ of personal data.  

PERSONAL INFORMATION WE WILL COLLECT
• Name
• Gender (or preferred identity)
• Age
• Date of Birth
• Relationships & Progeny
• Occupation
• Address.
• Telephone/SMS number (plus permission to send SMS & leave voice message).
• Email address.
• Counselling History.
• Medical conditions relevant to counselling
• Prescribed medication
• Session summary

HOW WE WILL STORE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
STORAGE METHODS
• Paper: written notes (described below). • Smartphone: We will store your contact information that backs up to our I-Cloud private Drive. This allows us to contact you in case of emergencies.
• Email/SMS: your email address and correspondence will be stored our email account by nature of you contacting us. Your telephone number will also be stored.
• Website: Your name and email address are held stored on our website.

DOCUMENTS HELD

PAPER...
• Contact Sheet
• Contract including GDPR Agreement
• Assessment Record
• Brief Session Notes
• Client Code (linking documents)

ELECTRONIC...
• Contact name and telephone
• Email/SMS

HOW WE MAY PROCESS/SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
EMERGENCIES
If your health is in jeopardy (provided we have your consent) we may share your contact information with an emergency healthcare service (e.g. Mental Health Crisis Team).

If we have become aware of your intent to cause harm to another person/organisation (e.g. terrorism), the law may require that we inform an authority without seeking your permission. In such a situation, the law may require that we share your personal information without your knowledge (known as: whistle-blowing).

ERASING YOUR INFORMATION
When we have finished working together, we will erase electronic copies of your information and correspondence within one month.

We will hold onto your written information for up to seven years past the end of our working together. This is so that we have a reference of our work in situations such as you returning to counselling in the future. After this time has passed, we will destroy the written information.

YOUR RIGHTS
You have the following rights...
• To be informed of what information we hold (i.e. this document).
• To see the information we hold about you (free of charge for the initial request).
• To rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• To withdraw consent to us using your personal information.
• To request your personal information be erased (though we can decline whilst the information is needed for us to practice lawfully and competently).

NB: A printed copy of this statement is included in your contract, which will be given to you when you first meet for counselling. If we agree to working together, both parties will sign the printed copy of this statement to indicate agreement.