How do I book a session?

You can email me with any enquiries or call me for a free 20 minute consultation to talk about what you might need from counselling and how I might be able to help.

Call- 07496279517

Email –

What if I can’t make a session or miss a session?

I will require 48hrs notice for any cancellation of sessions. I will endeavour to find another time within the same week that is convenient for both of us if you miss or cancel a session, if it is not possible, then the full fee of £50 will be charged for the cancelled or missed session.

What about Confidentiality?

Confidentiality means that everything you say stays between us in the counselling room. I will only break confidentiality if you were to say that you wanted to cause harm to yourself or harm to another person or if you disclosed an act of terrorism. I would always tell you that I would be breaking confidentiality and the reasons why. As I work with young people I would also break confidentiality if I felt that there may be a risk to children or the child disclosed someone was causing harm to them. I have regular meetings with a supervisor as keeping within the BACP ethical codes of conduct (this is my space to talk about our work together and you will always remain anonymous to them. This is to make sure that the work is safe and relevant).

Can I Contact you in between sessions?

You can phone or text me on my mobile during my working hours and if I don’t answer please do leave a message. Do email me too, I may be a bit slower getting back to you via this method but I will reply as soon as possible. My working hours are Monday to Friday 9am-9pm.

How much is each session?

Each session is 60 minutes and costs £55. Sessions are paid for via BACS prior to each session or via a debit/credit card after your appointment.

I really believe that therapy should be available to all and if you would like to discuss referral to any charitable agencies in the area I would be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies from person to person. At first I will suggest that we agree to work together for 6 sessions. Generally 6-10 weeks is considered short term therapy. Longer term therapy is considered more than 10 weeks.

I will always emphasise that this must be your choice and within your control but for therapy to have a continuity I do insist that sessions are attended on a weekly or twice monthly basis and we have a final ending session together.

What happens if my session is cancelled?

I will let you know with at least 4 weeks’ notice when I will be taking time out. Should anything unforeseen mean that I can’t see you I will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible and if necessary refer you to another counsellor.

How do you work with young people?

I work with young people from the age of eleven. Working with the individual as well as the family that they live with is often the most useful way forward- we are relational beings and the products of our relationships and our environments. The issues a young person brings to therapy may not come directly from issues from within the family – they may be bullied at school- but will need the support of the family to move forward.

As I commence therapy with a young person, then further down the line , with the consent of the young person, I might suggest that other family members join us in therapy to support their progress. My contract will be first and foremost with the young person but I will give my professional opinion if I believe it to be of benefit to bring other members of the system into the therapy room with their consent too.

If any member of the young person’s system contacts me outside the therapy room then the young person will know of the information given, so that there is a transparency to the work. Everything said within the work with the young person is confidential apart from if I have reason to believe that they plan to or are causing significant harm to themselves or others or if I believe that someone may be causing harm to them.

Data Privacy Policy

Privacy Notice

This privacy notice provides information about the personal information I process about you as a data  controller, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This notice highlights how GDPR is being implemented by explaining why confidential information is held and how this is protected.

https://ico.org.uk

It is assumed that by engaging with this service you are consenting to records being kept

Data Control

Catherine Haley is the data controller for Catherine Sweet Counselling.  She is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO; registration no: ZB251301).

The personal data I process, why I  process it, where it comes from and the legal basis for doing so 

I  collect and processes the following personal data from assessment/therapy clients:

  • Personal data such as basic contact information including name, address, email, contact number, video conference ID (if online therapy), GP contact details
  • Special categories of personal data such as health information (including GP contact details), therapy records (therapist notes, letters, reports and/or outcome measures)
  • If you complete a web-based enquiry form, I will also collect any information you provide to me as well as your internet protocol (IP) address.  

 

If you are referred by your health insurance provider or another referring agency, I  will also collect and process personal data provided by that organisation. This includes basic contact information, referral information, and health insurance policy number and authorisation for psychological treatment.

I process this personal data because it is in my legitimate interests to do so.  I will need to  use this information to provide psychological assessment and therapy services to my clients.

In relation to any special category personal data, such as health records or information concerning race, ethnic  origin or sex, data processing is necessary for the purposes of the provision of health care or treatment, in  addition to my legitimate interest. This might also include assessment questionnaires, reports and their associated data.

Other personal data 

I also process personal data pursuant to my legitimate interests in running my business such as:

  • Invoices and receipts;
  • Accounts and tax returns;
  • Information to help with my marketing (such as how you heard about my service)

Retention period

I will only store your personal information for as long as it is required. 

Consultation notes and questionnaires will be held for a year after our work has ended (and then securely disposed of).

E.g. some records may be held indefinitely if there were any issues of concern that could lead to police investigation in the future

E.g. mental health records are subject to special legislation e.g. children’s records are kept until age 26 and adult records for 8 years after the last contact with the service

www.gov.uk/government/publications/records-management-code-of-practice-for-health-and-social-care

How your personal information is used

I use the information I collect to:

  • Provide a  service to you
  • Process payment for such services

 Who we might share personal information with

I hold information about each of my clients and the therapy they receive in confidence. This means that I will not normally share your personal information with anyone else without your consent. However, there are exceptions to this when there may be need for liaison with other parties:

  • Health insurance providers for the purposes of billing and to provide treatment updates where necessary; 
  • Those who have instructed us to provide psychological treatment, such as a solicitor. In these cases,  relevant clinical information from therapy records will be shared with legal services as required and with  your written consent;   
  • Relevant authorities when the information concerns risk of harm to the client, or risk of harm to another adult or a child. I will discuss such a proposed disclosure with you unless I believe that to do so could  increase the level of risk to you or to someone else; 
  • HMRC as they require; 
  • With others pursuant to a court order. 

How I ensure the security of personal information

  • All information recorded on paper will be securely stored in a locked filing cabinet
  • Confidential digital information will be stored in a secure cloud service offering high levels of security
  • Confidential information sent by the counsellor via the internet will be encrypted and password protected, with this sent separately by text
  • Letters sent to professionals such as GPs, by surface mail, will be clearly marked Confidential
  • All electronic devices  (e.g. computer, laptop and phone) used to access stored information will themselves be password protected

Your rights

  • You have the right to know what information I hold about you, what I use it for and who I share it with
  • You have the right to access your records, update them and request corrections to any errors. Clinical information may not be changed for legal reasons but you may add a note if you disagree with them. A ‘subject access request’ or SAR can be made for copies of records. These will be provided within 30 days of the request being made.
  • You have the right to ask me not to process your personal data for marketing purposes.
  • You have the right to lodge a complaint – If you have any concerns about the way your personal information has been processed, please contact Catherine Haley (see below). Alternatively, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on 0303  123  1113.

Information on Cookies

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Catherine Haley

Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor

Contact information:

Email.

Tel. 07496279517

Last updated on 28/11/21