Sparkhouse Solution Focused Hypnotherapy – Privacy Policy

How will my data be stored? 

In May 2018 the Data Protection Act was replaced by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The changes to the Data Protection Act are aimed at ensuring that your personal, confidential and sometimes sensitive data, is held privately and securely. All your data will be stored securely at 10, Victoria Avenue, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2PE

How long will you hold my information for? 

The National Council for Hypnotherapy (of which I am a member) recommends that I should keep written records stored securely for 8 years after the last interaction with an adult client and up to the age of 25yrs for a child under 16 when last seen or 26yrs for 17–18-year-old. 

What if I would like my data to be destroyed before this date? 

Under GDPR rules, you can request the deletion of any of your records at any time. Please put this in writing addressed to me, Trisha Hall the Data Processor. 

The right to erasure: given the nature of our work I am required to hold your details for a period of 8 years, after this your information will be securely destroyed. The right to restrict processing: I will only use the information for the purposes that I have stated. 

Am I able to see or get a copy of the information held by you? 

In line with GDPR, yes, within 30 days.  Please put your request in writing addressed to me, Trisha Hall the Data Processor. If you believe any of the information, I hold on you is incorrect then please let me know as soon as possible and I will make the relevant changes.

What are your Reasons for collecting this information? 

I will use this information in order to contact you to discuss your requirements. I may also use this information so that I may improve my services. If you choose to proceed with making an appointment to see me, I will send you a copy of this Privacy Policy so that you are aware in advance how I will use information provided during our sessions together. 

I will ask you at your appointment to tick a box if you wish to receive promotional/ further information about services I may offer in the future, or about wellbeing in general. If you do not tick this box, I will not contact you for these purposes. 

I will ask you for your GP contact details and some basic health information: there are some conditions that are contra indicated for hypnotherapy and sometimes there are circumstance where it may be necessary to contact your GP before commencing therapy. I will inform you of this at our appointment should this appear appropriate. I will ask you for details of your next of kin: this is used very rarely and only in emergency situations

You do not have to consent to the collection of information, however, if you choose not to provide it, I may not be able to work with you. During our sessions: I will ask for your email address &/or telephone number for the purposes of sending you a recording to listen to as part of the therapy. It may also be necessary to send emails to confirm or rearrange appointments. I will make a note of information you provide me in order that we can plan bespoke therapy sessions and identify/produce scripts which will be used in session and/or which can be sent to you to listen to between sessions. 

I uphold the common law principles of confidentiality where the duty to keep confidence is measured against the concept of ‘greater good’. If in my opinion as a therapist there is good reason to believe not to disclose would cause danger or serious harm to self, the therapist or others then your GP or other appropriate agencies may be contacted. Only information required to ensure safety of relevant parties would be disclosed. Information may have to be disclosed without consent for the prevention, detection or prosecution of a crime. The sharing of anonymous case histories with supervisors and peer support groups is not a breach of professional confidentiality.

For the purposes of clarity, I do not receive or retain your bank details. 

How do I know that you will store my information securely? 

All written information will be securely filed away on my premises. Any IT files will be stored on the company’s secure network.

Are our discussions within the hypnotherapy sessions confidential? 

Yes, unless I need support from my supervisor, or I believe that you are about to harm yourself or another. 

What if I see you outside of a hypnotherapy session? 

I cannot discuss your case outside the clinical session for patient confidentiality reasons. 

Will you discuss information about me with other health and social care professionals?

Only with your written consent.

Who is the Data Controller and what is their ICO registration number? 

Trisha Hall is the data controller.  ICO registration number: ZB520522.