Our Privacy Policy

This privacy policy explains how Tree of Life Counselling processes and keeps your personal data secure and safe. In accordance with guidelines from General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which came into force from May 2018, Tree of Life Counselling only collects and retains information which is necessary for the services provided.

An important part of the counselling process is confidentiality and it is essential that every client has control over their personal data – how it is collected, shared and stored. Each Tree of Life counsellor (Nick Brimacombe, Elise Gilwhite, Janine Mounsey) is individually registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and complies with their requirements.

What personal information do I collect?

If you come for therapy at Tree of Life Counselling you will be asked to sign a Counselling Agreement which will typically include your full name, email address and telephone number. This personal information acquired within the Counselling Agreement will be secured in a locked filing cabinet by your Tree of Life counsellor and only they will have access to it.

These details are collected for the purpose of being able to identify you and any communications between us. Your information will not be shared with a third party unless there is a legal requirement to do so. Your personal information will be retained for as long as you are using a service from Tree of Life Counselling. After that it will be securely destroyed with the exception of invoicing references needed for business record purposes.

What sensitive information do we collect?

I collect sensitive information which may include your GP’s contact details, medical history and emergency contact details. This data is collected so I can provide a safe and ethical service to my clients.

I may also make brief notes on the content of counselling sessions to aid future sessions and keep track of your progress. This type of sensitive information is kept separately from your personal information in a locked filing cabinet so you cannot be identified. Sensitive information would only be disclosed to a third party for legal reasons, or when I may have reasons to believe there is risk of harm to yourself or others.

Sensitive information will only be kept for as long as you are using a service within Tree of Life Counselling and it will be securely destroyed after this with the exception of invoicing references needed for business record purposes.

Online data collection

Any personal information collected online via the Tree of Life Counselling’s enquiry form or via email enquiry will be stored by your counsellor on a password protected computer which only they have access to. This information will not be shared with a third party.

Please note: We recommended that email is used only for booking and confirming appointments, rather than including detailed sensitive information.

Online data collectionSecurity measures: overview

  • Any paperwork containing your personal or sensitive information is kept separately in locked filing cabinets which only your Tree of Life counsellor will have access to.
  • All electronic devices used to store and handle your personal data are secure and password protected.
  • Your personal and sensitive information will be securely destroyed when you are no longer using Tree of Life Counselling services. In certain circumstances your data may need to be kept longer but this will never exceed seven years.

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your personal data, please email hello@thetreeoflifecounselling.co.uk

Cookies policy

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