Privacy Policy

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This Privacy Policy explains how Peak Counselling uses and protects any information that you provide when you use this Service. 

Peak Counselling is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should your therapist ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. 

Peak Counselling may change this policy from time to time so it may be helpful to regularly check this page to ensure that you continue to be comfortable with the measures that Peak Counselling is taking to protect your privacy. This policy is effective from 25th May 2018. 

By visiting www.peakcounselling.com you are accepting and consenting to the practices described in this policy. 

By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to the use of cookies described below. 

Any changes made to this privacy and cookie policy will be posted on this page. 

For the purpose of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the Act), the data controller is Helen Peters, Unit 17C Dunfermline Business Centre, Dunfermline Fife KY11 3BZ.

The lawful basis for processing your data

A lawful basis for processing is how Peak Counselling justifies the processing of your personal data.

Peak Counselling processes your personal data in line with GDPR legislation (General Data Protection Regulation) (EU) 2016/679.

The lawful basis for processing your data is legitimate interests.

How Peak Counselling collects your information from this website:

www.peakcounselling uses Cookies. Cookies are small files that are stored on your computer when you visit a website. Cookies are used to store non personal data about you (for example, your geographical location, and IP address, as well as which of our webpages you’ve visited most. Cookies help to distinguish you from other users of my website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve this site. 

If you choose to get in touch via the contact form your information is not stored on the website. Your enquiry goes through via email, and whilst Peak Counselling stores this information in order to respond to your query and get in touch, we will never sell or share this information. Should Peak Counselling ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

If you make contact via phone, email or the Facebook page only contact details required to respond to your enquiry or to provide a requested service to you are stored by Peak Counselling until contact has ended. 

When you enquire about Peak Counselling’s services via email or social media we cannot guarantee that your message, or the reply, is 100% secure. It is important that you understand that no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. 

Peak Counselling processes your personal data in line with GDPR legislation (EU) 2016/679, and takes all appropriate measures to keep it secure.

What type of information is collected when using this service?

Personal Information

Peak Counselling may collect some or all of the following personal information from you, either prior to your first session or throughout the course of therapy:

• Name

• Contact details including email address and phone number (your therapist may save a contact phone number or email address on a password protected mobile device whilst you are engaging in therapy with Peak Counselling in order to make contact should they become unavailable when you have a pre-arranged appointment). 

• Age

Special Category Data (Sensitive Data)

Some of the information collected from you in order to provide psychotherapy services will be classified as sensitive. This data will only be collected if it is appropriate to your course of therapy and may include:

• Your and/or your family’s physical and mental health history (including history of alcohol consumption, drug use and any medication previously prescribed)

• Current physical and mental health symptoms including suicide risk, alcohol and drug use, and any medication you are currently taking

• Questionnaire scores (questionnaires that assess the severity of your symptoms) 

• Relationship history and current status

• Religion

Information will only be shared in the following circumstances:

Working with Peak Counselling through your insurance company or an Employee Assistance Programme:

If you are engaging with Peak Counselling via your insurance company or an Employee Assistance Programme it is likely that they will require certain information regarding your attendance and engagement. Each company has different policies and procedures and this will be discussed with your therapist at your initial session.

Court Order

If your therapist is required to disclose data about you under a Court Order

Child Protection and Adult Protection

If your therapist is concerned a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm following information disclosed during therapy. Should such a concern arise your therapist will, if appropriate, discuss with you immediately and advise you of any action to be taken.

Risk to self or others

Where there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others. 

Retention period-how long do we store your data?

Therapy notes are stored for three years following the end of therapy (or three years after a client turns 18 if under 18 when attending for therapy).

Any phone numbers or email addresses will be deleted from your therapist’s phone or email account when therapy ends.

Your Individual Rights

You have a number of rights (including Right to be informed, Right to access, and Right to lodge a formal complaint) when it comes to your personal data. Please refer to the ICO’s website for full details of your rights.

Right of Access

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998 and in line with GDPR legislation (EU) 2016/679. Depending on the volume of information requested and the administrative costs involved in providing you with this information, there may be a charge for this information. You will be informed of the costs at the time the request is made. Requests for information must be put in writing. If you would like to request access to the information held on you, please do this via email to info@peakcounselling.com or in writing to Peak Counselling, Unit 17C Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline KY11 3BZ.

Requests that are considered excessive or unreasonable may be refused. In the event your request to obtain details of information held about you is refused, you will be provided with an explanation as to why that is.

Right to rectification and deletion of details.

If you believe that any information Peak Counselling is holding on you is incorrect or incomplete please advise your therapist as soon as possible and these details can be updated.

If you wish your information held by Peak Counselling deleted or removed please speak to your therapist.

Right to lodge a formal complaint with a supervisory authority in relation to your data

If you believe that your rights under the GDPR regulation have been infringed, or that the processing of personal data relating to you does not comply with this Regulation, you can inform the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) or by phoning their helpline on 0303 123 1113.

Online and phone sessions

Peak Counselling cannot guarantee the security of any links made to carry out online or phone sessions (eg. By Skype or WhatsApp). By requesting online or phone sessions you are accepting this limit to confidentiality.

Peak Counselling 

May 2018