Your privacy is very important to me, and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure and will only be used for the purpose it was given to me. I adhere to current data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) (the GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or the way in which I handle your personal information you can contact me via phone on 07918 876348 or email: emma@emmagerrardtherapy.uk

Data Controller

As the data controller, I oversee the collection, storage, and responsibility for personal data. Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office under Registration No: C1424536, you can contact me via phone at 07918 876348 or email at emma@emmagerrardtherapy.uk for any privacy-related concerns. 

My lawful basis for holding and using your personal information

The GDPR states that I must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. If you are currently having therapy or if you are in contact with me to consider therapy, I will process your personal data where it is necessary for the performance of our contract. If you have had therapy with me and it has now ended, I will use legitimate interest as my lawful basis for holding and using your personal information.

How I use your information

I will never use your personal data for any purposes other than the administration of the therapy service that I am providing to you i.e. to arrange, cancel and rearrange appointments. I will only retain your personal information for as long as is necessary. This is in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Initial contact

I may collect personal information such as your name, contact details, email address, and any other information you voluntarily provide through the contact forms or appointment scheduling, which will be used for responding to inquiries and scheduling appointments. If you don't want to be contacted, you don't have to share this info. Your GP, a relative, or a trusted person can also provide your details. If you decide not to continue after an inquiry, I will delete your data within a month or sooner if requested. 

While you are accessing therapy

During therapy, I securely store your personal details and session notes for our work together. Your confidentiality is protected, and I adhere to professional standards. Confidentiality may be breached in specific legal or safety circumstances, which will be discussed with you whenever possible. I will keep a record of your personal details to help the therapy run smoothly. These details are kept securely on a password-protected computer and are not shared with any third party.

Post-Therapy

Records are retained for seven years post-therapy for potential future service continuity. Confidential destruction of notes is in alignment with industry guidelines after this period. 

Third-Party Recipients

In certain instances, session details may be shared with clinical supervisors or relevant healthcare professionals, always prioritising your privacy and well-being.

Data Security

Stringent measures are in place to secure all data held, ensuring the protection of your information.

Your Rights

Under GDPR guidelines, you hold rights pertaining to access, correction, deletion, and limitation of personal information processing. Requests for information access or amendments can be made in writing to emma@emmagerrardtherapy.uk

Transfer

Data transfers outside the UK or EEA are rare and conducted with necessary safeguards as per data protection laws.

Complaints

For any concerns about data handling, reach out directly. Formal complaints can be lodged with the ICO if needed. If you have any complaints about how I handle your personal data, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing me at the contact details given above.

Formal complaints can be lodged with the ICO, the statutory body that oversees data protection law in the UK. For more information go to ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

Changes to Privacy Notice

This privacy notice may be updated periodically to ensure continued transparency and compliance with data protection regulations.