WHAT DATA DOES GOOD LIFE THERAPY KEEP AND WHY IT IS NEEDED?

Name and Age: This is basic information that helps the Therapist to begin to get to know the Client

Address, email address, phone number: This is used as a way of making contact with the Client regarding the sessions (initial conversation and subsequent consultations as agreed). The Client will be contacted by the initial method used by Client to contact the Therapist and if the Client is not reachable via this first method, then different methods will be tried.

Next of kin/medical professional’s details: If the Therapist deems that the Client may be at risk, then the Therapist may need to contact the Client’s next of kin or medical professional. If it is feasible, the Therapist will let the Client know when, or if, this is going to be carried out.

Session notes: The Therapist will keep brief notes of the therapy session/s. Nobody other than the Therapist will have access to these notes.

Sharing your data: The Client’s personal information and session notes will not be sold to anyone or used for unethical reasons. The Therapist may have to share the notes if they are subpoenaed by a Court of Law, or if the Client tells the Therapist that they are at harm or risk of harm. The Therapist may also discuss the Client’s case during Supervision. In this case the Client will be referred to by first name only.

Storing your data: The session notes are mainly stored as hard copy in a locked filing cabinet. Immediately after the work is finished, the data is transferred to a password protected computer belonging to the Therapist. These will be retained by Good Life Therapy for the time required by my insurer (currently 7 years).