Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy

How we use your email and contact details

We use Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt and protect email traffic. If your email service does not support TLS, you should be aware that any emails we send or receive may not be protected in transit.

We will also monitor any emails sent to us, including file attachments, for viruses or malicious software. Please be aware that you have a responsibility to ensure that any email you send is within the bounds of the law.

Should you choose to contact us using an email link, or our contact form none of the data that you supply will be stored by this website or passed to / be processed by any of the third party data processors.

Instead the data will be collated into an email and sent to us over the Transport Layer Security (TLS).

Should you choose not to consent to us using your contact details in any form submitted, please contact us by phone or direct email.

This website is hosted by 3rd party servers located in the EU which are compliant with EU legislation.

Website Legal Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.


Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under our control. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

We encourage you to read the privacy statements on the other websites you visit.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Privacy Statement

ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) Registration Reference Number: ZA175766
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is concerned with the personal information about you that I collect, store, and share. This statement details my GDPR policy.

Personal information: I collect the following information in order to help me provide psychological therapy to you, receive clinical supervision and consultation, and to maintain my accounts for billing and invoicing.  Personal details: name, date of birth, contact details, GP details, occupation, education, details of family and close relationships, counselling /therapy history, medical conditions, medication, substance use, emotional & psychological issues.

How I may process/share your personal information:  I have regular supervision/consultation with other therapists, (psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors) for my own professional development and the wellbeing of clients. I will discuss some personal details in these consultations. You are never identified by your full name in these sessions. My supervisors are bound by the same professional rules of confidentiality, code of ethics, and rules of GDPR.  If you were referred to me via an organisation, then there may be particular parts of your personal information that will be shared with that organisation. I will make it clear to you at the start of therapy what information may be shared.

Therapeutic Will: In the case of my serious illness or death, your name and contact details will be shared with my Therapeutic Executors. This is so you can be contacted if you are still in therapy with me. They will also be responsible for safely disposing of the personal information I hold on you. As professional psychotherapists, they are bound by the same rules of confidentiality, code of ethics, and rules of GDPR.

Emergencies: If I have reason to believe that you intend to harm another person/organisation (eg. terrorism), or yourself, the law may require that I inform an authority without seeking your permission. In such a situation, the law may require that I share your personal information without your knowledge. I would always endeavour to discuss this with you in advance if possible or appropriate. It is also the law that a judge can require the release of clinical notes without your permission, and I would be bound by law to release them. Again I would discuss this with you beforehand should this occur.

Storage of Information:
Paper: contact details, personal information, psychometric tests when completed, assessment/history taking notes, occasional email correspondence, some therapy notes, and invoices. All paper files/notes are stored in a locked filing cabinet in my locked office.
Digital: I keep your name and contact details in my smart phone and laptop (whilst you are in therapy with me).   Backups are made to icloud and external hard drive.  All devices and backups are password protected.   I use an online practice records system which has your name, contact details and the main notes of your therapy sessions.  This is a secure, password protected system and is GDPR compliant. 
Website: No personal information is stored on my website.

Erasing your Information:  I keep electronic emails and SMS/texts for up to a year. I am required by my professional insurance company to keep your clinical notes for up to 7 years after we have completed our work together. After this time has passed, I will shred or delete the information.

You have the following rights:
To be informed of what information I hold (this document).
To see the information that I hold about you (free of charge for the initial request).
To rectify/correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
To withdraw consent to me using your personal information.
To request your personal information be erased/deleted/shredded. I can decline if the information is needed for me to practice competently and in line with my insurance, or if there is an adverse reason (such as a complaint or legal reason).

If you have any questions about this privacy document please contact me.

 

 

 

Helen Lea Brighton Psychotherapist