Privacy Policy for Katherina Ferguson Counselling
Effective Date: 29.09.25
Introduction
At Katherina Ferguson Counselling, I value your privacy and am committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with the UK’s Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the ethical standards set by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This Privacy Policy outlines how I collect, use, store, and protect your information.
1. Information I Collect
I may collect the following types of personal data:
- Personal Information: Name, contact details, and any other information you provide during sessions or through forms.
- Therapeutic Information: Notes and records related to your counselling sessions, including your reason for seeking therapy and progress notes.
- Sensitive Information: Details regarding your mental health and any other sensitive personal information relevant to your counselling.
2. Purpose of Data Collection
Your personal data is collected for the following purposes:
- To provide effective counselling services tailored to your needs.
- To maintain accurate records for professional accountability.
- To communicate with you regarding appointments and therapy-related matters.
3. Legal Basis for Processing Data
I process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: You have given explicit consent for me to process your personal data for the purposes outlined above.
- Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party, namely the counselling services I provide.
- Legal Obligation: I am required to retain certain records for legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Data Storage and Security
I take your privacy seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data:
- Your information is stored securely, either in encrypted digital format or in locked physical files.
- Access to your data is restricted to me and any authorized personnel only.
- All devices used for processing and storing data are password protected, with up-to-date security measures.
5. Confidentiality and Data Sharing
- Your information is confidential and will not be shared with third parties unless I have your explicit consent or I am legally obligated to do so (e.g., safeguarding concerns).
- In exceptional circumstances where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, I may need to share information with relevant authorities. I will discuss this with you whenever possible.
- Additionally, for the purposes of professional development and learning, I may share anonymized information with my supervisor, who is also bound by confidentiality agreements.
6. Data Retention and Disposal
- I will retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy and comply with legal requirements.
- After this period, your data will be securely destroyed or deleted.
7. Your Rights
You have several rights regarding your personal data, including:
- Right to Access: You can request access to the personal information I hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You can request corrections to any inaccuracies in your personal data.
- Right to Erasure: You can request that I delete your personal data, subject to certain conditions.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You can request a restriction on the processing of your personal data under specific circumstances.
- Right to Data Portability: You may request your data in a structured, commonly used format to transfer it to another service.
If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact me directly.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to you, and the revised policy will be posted on my website.
9. ICO Compliance
• I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and adhere to its guidelines on data protection. For further details, or to raise a concern, you can visit the ICO’s website at https://ico.org.uk.
10. Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact me at:
Terms and Conditions for Katherina Ferguson Counselling Services
Effective Date: 29.09.2025
These Terms and Conditions govern the therapeutic relationship between Katherina Ferguson, hereafter referred to as "the Counsellor," and the client, hereafter referred to as "the Client." By engaging in counselling services, the Client agrees to adhere to these terms.
1. Sessions and Duration Sessions will last 50 minutes and typically occur weekly, unless otherwise agreed upon.The Counsellor will provide a safe and confidential space for the Client to explore their thoughts and feelings.
2. Appointments Appointments will be scheduled at mutually agreed times. The Client is responsible for attending their scheduled sessions. The Client may request to change their appointment time, provided they give at least 48 hours’ notice.
3. Cancellation Policy If the Client needs to cancel or reschedule an appointment, they must provide at least 48 hours’ notice. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur a cancellation fee equivalent to the full session rate. In the event of an unexpected emergency, this policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
4. Payment Terms Fees for sessions will be discussed and agreed upon prior to the first appointment. Payments are due at the time of each session unless otherwise arranged. Accepted methods of payment include [bank transfer, credit/debit card].
5. Confidentiality All sessions are confidential. The Counsellor will not disclose any information about the Client without their consent, except in circumstances where there is a risk of harm to the Client or others or where there is a legal obligation to disclose information.
6. Ending Therapy The Client or the Counsellor may decide to end therapy at any time. Ideally, the decision to end therapy will be discussed in a session to ensure a proper closure process. Should the Client wish to end therapy, it is recommended that they provide notice to info@KatherinaFerguson.com.
7. Professional Boundaries The Counsellor maintains professional boundaries and will not engage in dual relationships with Clients (e.g., friendships, business relationships) to ensure the integrity of the therapeutic process.
8. Complaints If the Client has a complaint or is dissatisfied with the service, they are encouraged to discuss it directly with the Counsellor. If the issue is not resolved, the Client may reach out to the relevant professional regulatory body, such as the BACP.
9. Changes to Terms and Conditions The Counsellor reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Clients will be notified of any significant changes.
10. Acceptance of Terms By engaging in counselling services, the Client acknowledges that they have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to abide by them.
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