Privacy Policy

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling process and I endeavour to maintain your confidentiality throughout our work together. However, there are limits to the confidentiality policy. If you disclose thoughts or plans regarding a risk of serious harm to yourself or others (including children) I have a duty of care to report my concerns to the relevant agency. If you disclose any criminal activity, including acts of terrorism, I have a duty to report the disclosure to the police. I have an obligation to break confidentiality if ordered by a court of law.

As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I adhere to their ethical framework. This includes mandated clinical supervision once a month. Your anonymity will be protected during these supervision sessions, with no identifying features being discussed. Information can be found at www.bacp.co.uk

I am required to keep brief process notes at the end of each session. These notes do not include any identifying information and are stored in line with the GDPR guidelines. You have a right to access these notes which I will produce within 28 days.

Privacy Statement

I am a registered member of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and follow the current data protection law. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires me to clearly explain what information I collect, how it is stored and how I intend to use it.

All documents with personal details including name, age, phone number, address, GP details, medication and next of kin, are stored in a secure filing cabinet. Any electronic documents are password protected. I am required to hold client details for seven years, after which all data will be destroyed professionally.

You have a right to copy your data, a right to request corrections, a right to request your personal details are deleted and a right to make a complaint. Personal information will only be shared in the event of a legal or ethical disclosure.

General Information

Please note that I will aim to respond during the working hours of 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. I do not offer counselling outside of live sessions, so any disclosures made, will be held until our scheduled sessions. Any contact made via social media will not be acknowledged.

Should you find yourself in an emergency, please use 999, A&E or other valuable helplines, including Samaritans on 116 123.

Health and Safety

I have a strict substance misuse policy. Should you attend sessions under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the session will be terminated. I ask that all clients be 24 hours clean from drugs or alcohol, before a counselling session.

Cancellation Policy

A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required, should you need to cancel a counselling session. Contact can be made via phone call, text or email using the following details:

Phone or text - 07837 437306

Email - kirstypaynecouncelling@outlook.com

Failure to do so will result in the session being charged in full. Exceptions include personal circumstances deemed as an emergency eg. An accident, personal injury or illness.

Terms of Use

This Terms of Use provides details about the collection and use of any personal information that you provide while using this website and/or during the course of working together. These Terms of Use do not form part of any Contract between us (Kirsty Payne Counselling) and you (the client).

These Terms of Use may be modified from time to time without notice. Please check this page to ensure that you are aware of the latest terms.

This website may collect personal information from users via the information you provide when making a contact form submission, and also through your use of the site. This information may include your name, contact information and IP address. Website use information is gathered in order to see how you interact with the website and to ensure your experience of the website is the best it can be.

Information gathered from you is stored in the database for a period of 3 months, and is not shared with third parties, except as described in this policy. You can review and update your information by contacting us via email.

'Cookies' may be used in order to personalise your visit to this website. No information which personally identifies you will be collected through the cookies.

Information sharing and disclosure

Kirsty Payne Counselling will only share your information with third parties where it is needed to investigate, prevent or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, violations of this websites’ terms and conditions or as otherwise required by law. (See Privacy Policy - Confidentiality and Safeguarding section above.)

Where We Store Your Personal Data
Once your information has been received, it is stored on the Wix server. Unfortunately, the storage and transmission of information via the internet can never be completely secure. Although all reasonable endeavours to protect your personal data will be taken, the security of your data transmitted to this website cannot be guaranteed; any transmission is entirely at your own risk.

Access to Information

The Data Protection Act gives you the right to access information held about you. Your right of access can be exercised in accordance with the Act. Please contact Kirsty Payne Counselling using the details found on this website if you wish to access the information held for you.