Confidentiality & GDPR
The privacy, integrity and welfare of those with whom we work is paramount. We always operate within the professional Code of Ethics and Practice of I.A.H.I.P and I.C.P, P.S.I and A.P.P.I and strive to maintain confidentiality in all occasions. However, limits to this confidentiality exist in that we are obliged to breach confidentiality in the following circumstances:
1. There is significant and imminent risk of suicide to client and/or physical injury/harm to others.
2. There are reasonable concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of or has experienced abuse or neglect. In these cases, the counsellor has a responsibility to refer that concern on to the appropriate authority.
3. The therapist’s records are subpoenaed by law.
Client information is stored on the therapist’s client management database, the intake form, and a name on a calendar. Client written records where necessary are kept in a locked filing cabinet in the counselling office. All client data is destroyed after a period of seven years. Client information may be shared among the counselling team as part of case management or in supervisory contexts only where client consent has been given. At all times this information remains confidential within the team or the supervisory environment. These files are strictly confidential and do not contain personal data of the client. Clients of course have the right to access their own files under the Data Protection Act (1998). There is a procedure in place which is followed when clients request a copy of their files.
In the case of a client under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must be present at the beginning of the initial session to sign consent for therapy to take place and acknowledge the necessary confidentiality between client and the therapist.