Privacy Notice
About us
The Queer Therapist is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) ZB537479.
Any personal data provided by you to the The Queer Therapist through any means (verbal, written, in electronic form, or by your use of our website) will be held and processed in accordance with the data protection principles set out in the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation for the purposes for which you have given consent and to provide the services you have requested.
Introduction
The Queer Therapist, the ‘data controller’, is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy only applies to data collected by The Queer Therapist. Third party agents, and websites which are linked to The Queer Therapist are not covered by this policy.
Visitors to the Website and Social Media Platforms
When someone visits our website we use a third party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. This information is only processed in a way that does not identify anyone. We do not make, and do not allow Google to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website.
We use Google Analytics so that we can continually improve our service to you - read the Google Analytics privacy notice.
Like most websites we use cookies to help the site work more efficiently - find out about our use of cookies.
If you fill in a form on our website, that data will be temporarily stored on the web host, Squarespace before being sent to us.
Where we provide links to websites of other organisations, this privacy notice does not cover how that organisation processes personal information. We encourage you to read the privacy notices on the other websites you visit.
The Queer Therapist has a presence on various social media platforms. If you engage with us via these platforms we will not collect or store your personal data. Where we are collecting personal data for future use, we will let you know and provide you with details about the intended use. We have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To find out how these companies use your data and how you can control the way they use your data please refer to their privacy policies, which should be available on their websites.
When you request counselling with The Queer Therapist you will be asked to consent to our processing of your data under the terms of this policy.
What information is collected?
Counselling Requests – Registering with The Queer Therapist to request access to counselling and psychotherapy services can be done online, on paper or in person. The request process involves providing your name, address, telephone numbers and email address. Information on your availability, therapeutic issues, and other details which we deem relevant to processing your request may also be requested.
Initial Assessment Appointments – At an initial appointment you will be asked about your current personal, social, medical, financial circumstances as well a your background and family history. This information is required to determine what type of therapy will be best suited to you and what the focus of the work will be.
Social Media - The collection and use of this data by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is subject to their own Privacy Policies.
Other Forms – The information you provide (including all enquiry and application forms) may include your name, postal address, email address, phone number and other messages.
What your information is used for?
To provide clients with the professional counselling and psychotherapy service requested.
To offer suitable counselling and psychotherapy appointments.
To notify you about changes to your appointments and other changes to the service.
To seek feedback from you on your experience of counselling and psychotherapy with TheQueer Therapist.
To improve the service to ensure that it is provided in the most effective manner.
To administer the service, including the arrangement of appointments, for financial control and data analysis.
To keep in touch with those who consent to this, for the purposes of service.
To fulfil administrative, legal and contractual obligations.
What information is shared?
The Queer Therapist will not share any information about you with other organisations or people, except in the following situations:
Consent – The Queer Therapist may share your information with professional carers or others whom you have requested or agreed we should contact.
Serious harm – The Queer Therapist may share your information with the relevant authorities if there is reason to believe that this may prevent serious harm being caused to you or another person.
Compliance with law – The Queer Therapist may share your information where required to by law.
How your information is kept safe?
All information you provide is stored as securely as possible. All paper forms and correspondence are kept in locked filing cabinet off site - this information is transported in a password protected briefcase. All electronic records are stored on a password protected computer in platforms that require password-protected authentication. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. Although The Queer Therapist uses industry-standard protocols and encryption, there is no guarantee of the security of your data transmitted via email; any transmission is at your own risk. Once your information has been received, The Queer Therapist will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.
Your identifiable personal information is kept separately from any session notes and other descriptive material. Client notes and other documentation are destroyed 3 years after the end of counselling. Personal contact details are destroyed/deleted after 10 years of no contact or updates.
Your rights
You have the right to ask The Queer Therapist to provide a copy of the information held by in the records. You also have the right to request to correct any inaccuracies in your information.
You may withdraw your consent for The Queer Therapist to hold and process your data at any time. However, if you do this while actively receiving counselling at The Queer THerapist, your counselling would have to end.
Changes to this policy
The policy may be edited from time to time. If any substantial changes are made, The Queer Therapist will notify you by posting a prominent announcement on our website.