Privacy Policy
At Jacqueline Shearman Therapy, your privacy matters to me. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical therapy, and I am committed to protecting your personal information to the highest professional and legal standards.
I am the data controller for the information you share with me, meaning I am responsible for deciding how and why it is used. I work to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework, and I am a Registered Member of BACP, register number 398580.
How I Use Your Information
I collect and process your personal data to manage your therapy well. This includes answering your queries, arranging appointments, and keeping accurate records. Good records support safe and reflective practice and help provide continuity of care in line with BACP guidance.
What Information I Collect
For an initial appointment I need your name, contact details, and payment information. Once therapy begins, I may also collect sensitive information such as your mental health history, family background, and other details relevant to our work together. I may ask for your GP's contact details, and I will always tell you if I need to contact them, particularly if I have a concern for your safety.
Why I Am Allowed to Process This Information
By engaging in therapy with me, you are agreeing to this policy and to the processing described here. For most of the sensitive information involved in therapy, my lawful basis for processing is the provision of health care by a professional bound by a duty of confidentiality, rather than consent alone. This matters because consent can be withdrawn at any time, whereas my professional responsibility to keep accurate records continues even if you decide to stop therapy. You are still welcome to ask questions or raise concerns about how your information is used at any point.
Keeping Your Data Secure
Your data is stored on secure, encrypted servers with up to date security measures in place. Only I have access to your records. Where possible, identifying details are kept separately from clinical notes to add an extra layer of privacy.
Sharing Your Data
I do not share your information with anyone else, except where there is a risk of harm to you or someone else, where I have a legal obligation to do so, or where a court requires it. If information ever needs to be shared, I share only what is necessary and I handle this with as much care for your privacy as possible.
Your Rights
Under data protection law you have the right to ask what information I hold about you, to have inaccurate information corrected, and to request that your information be deleted. You can contact me in writing to use any of these rights, and I may ask for proof of identity before I act on your request.
How Long I Keep Your Information
I keep client records for six years after therapy ends, in line with BACP guidance and my professional insurance requirements. In some circumstances I may need to keep information for longer, for example where the law requires it, or with your agreement.
If Something Goes Wrong
In the unlikely event of a data breach affecting your information, I will let you and the Information Commissioner's Office know within seventy-two hours, as the law requires.
Raising a Concern
If you are ever unhappy with how your information has been handled, please tell me directly and I will do my best to resolve it with you. If you would prefer to raise it elsewhere, or if you are not satisfied with my response, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Cookies and Website Analytics
My website may use cookies and Google Analytics to understand how it is used and to help me improve it. Where these are not strictly necessary for the site to function, I will ask for your consent before they are switched on, and you will always have an equally easy option to accept or decline. You can change your mind at any time through the cookie settings on my website or through your browser.
Updates to This Policy
I review this policy regularly to keep it in line with current law and good practice, and I will update it here whenever something changes. Significant changes will be shared with you directly or through my website.
Contact and Registration
Jacqueline Shearman Therapy
BACP Register Number: 398580
ICO Registration Reference: ZB086801
* Please let me know if any of your details change, so I can keep your records accurate and up to date.