Privacy Policy

Who is This Policy For?

This policy explains how your personal information is secured if you facilitate contact  with BWG Therapy. Whether we converse by phone, email, or interpersonally, this policy provides clarification, transparency and confidence that your privacy and information is respected and protected.

What Personal Information is Collected?

To ensure optimal psychotherapeutic support is provided, the following identifiable information may be required:

· Full name and contact details

· Emergency contact/s (Next of kin)

· Notes from our sessions

· Health and wellbeing information

· Payments and invoices

· Any messages or forms you have sent through the website or email.

Please ensure that your emergency contacts have consented to be contacted by me and are aware of their information being shared with BWG Therapy.

Sensitive Information

Naturally, shared information is likely to be of sensitive nature, ordinary, general health and wellbeing history or socioeconomic background. This information, ultimately, is protected and utilised in ways that support your psychotherapeutic treatment or as required by statutory law, adhering strongly to the Data Protection Act (2018).

How is Your Information Used?

The information you provide aids me to:

· Arrange and deliver your sessions

· Keep accurate and helpful records

· Respond promptly to any arising queries or concerns

· Manage appointments and payments

· Meet legal and professional requirements

Sharing Your Information

Please rest assured that all information shared with remains strictly confidential. I will only share your information during the following circumstances:

· It is important for your care, and you have provided informed consent.

· It is required by statutory law or to safeguard you, or another individual, from harm.

· It is with trusted services that help run the practice securely, like IT providers.

Any organisation I work with is credible and duty bound to respect your privacy, while displaying strict adherence to data protection laws. Prompt updates concerning data protection law changes will be reported.

Keeping Your Data Safe and Maintaining Privacy

Your information is kept secure, whether it is written or stored electronically. Printed notes are locked away, and digital records are protected with passwords and encryption.

I store information for as long as necessary to meet professional or legal requirements, and thereafter, it is safely deleted or destroyed.

Your Consumer Rights

As a consumer of BWG therapy,  you have the right to:

· See the information I hold about you

· Ask for anything to be corrected if it is wrong

· Withdraw consent (if applicable)

· Ask for your data to be deleted, in certain situations.

· Restrict or object to how your data is used

· Request a copy of your data in a portable format.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information about any of these rights.

Legal Requirements- Why Your Data is Processed

I am stipulated by the Data Protection Act (2018) to require good reason to use your data. These include:

· When you have provided informed consent

· When it is agreed as part of our psychotherapeutic work

· When I have a legal obligation

· When it helps run the practice safely and ethically.

Cookies and Website Use

My website uses cookies (small files) to help optimise user experience. These help me comprehend what pages are beneficial and how users navigate the website. Please rest assured that cookies are unable to collect personal information and can simply be switched off in your browser settings. To learn more, please visit: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies. 

How Long Is Your Information Kept?

Client records are usually kept for six years after therapy ends, based on guidance from professional organisations. This helps ensure proper care and insurance coverage.

In the event you decide to revisit it, enquiry information is usually held for up to six months.

You will not be sent updates or emails unless you have provided informed consent. And you can opt out at any time.

Get in Touch

If you ever have a question about this policy, your data, or would like to make a request about your information, feel free to contact me at: ben@bwgtherapy.co.uk

If you have concerns that are not resolved, you can speak to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk

Keeping this Policy Updated

This privacy policy may change from time to time as needed. You’re welcome to check in occasionally or ask for the most recent version.