Last updated: 14 September 2025
Why confidentiality matters
Feeling safe is the foundation of good therapy. You need to know that what you share with me stays private. This page explains how I protect your privacy, the rare situations where I may need to share information, and what this means in practice—whether we work in person or online.
What confidentiality means in my practice
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Your sessions are private. I don’t discuss you with anyone outside the arrangements below.
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Brief, secure notes. I keep brief, factual notes to support our work. These are stored securely and separately from identifying details.
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Supervision that protects you. Like all ethical counsellors, I discuss my work in clinical supervision to ensure you get the best care. I remove identifying details so you remain anonymous.
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Discretion outside sessions. If we see each other in the community, I won’t acknowledge you unless you approach me.
How I protect your information
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Data protection. I follow UK GDPR and professional guidance. I only collect information necessary for therapy (contact details, GP details for safety planning, and session notes).
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Storage & retention. Notes are kept securely for up to seven years (or longer only if required by law) and then destroyed confidentially.
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Email, text & phone. These are best used for admin (booking, cancellations). For your privacy, please avoid detailed clinical content by email or text.
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Online sessions. I use reputable, encrypted platforms and work in a private space with headphones to preserve your confidentiality.
The limits of confidentiality (rare but important)
There are a few circumstances where I may need to share information. Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first and we will do it together.
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Serious and immediate risk to you or someone else (for example, risk of significant harm or suicide where emergency help is needed).
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Safeguarding concerns about children or vulnerable adults.
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Legal obligations, such as a court order, or information linked to serious crime or terrorism.
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Professional advice, where I may seek guidance (e.g., from my supervisor or insurer) while protecting your identity as far as possible.
If we agree to involve your GP or another professional for support, I’ll seek your explicit consent and only share what’s necessary.
Working with GPs and other professionals
If we decide together that involving your GP, psychiatrist, school or another professional could help, I’ll:
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explain what would be shared and why,
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ask for your written consent, and
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keep you copied into any correspondence where appropriate.
Couples counselling: how confidentiality works
In couples work, I use a “no-secrets” approach—therapy is most effective when information relevant to the relationship can be discussed together. If one partner shares something privately that directly affects the work, I will encourage it to be brought into the joint session.
Your rights
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Access: You can request a copy of your personal information and notes (a “subject access request”). There will be a small charge for this to cover my administration costs.
Emergencies and out-of-hours
I’m not an emergency service. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent help, you can contact your GP, NHS 111, or Samaritans 116 123 (free, 24/7). You can also email me; I’ll respond as soon as I can during working hours.
Frequently asked questions
Will you tell my family, employer or GP what I say?
No. I won’t share anything without your consent unless there’s a serious safety or legal reason to do so. I’ll aim to discuss this with you first.
Can I keep my identity private?
You can choose how you’re addressed in sessions, but I do need accurate contact and GP details for safety and legal reasons.
How detailed are your notes?
Brief and factual—enough to support your therapy and meet professional standards. They’re stored securely and are not shared for any purpose such as marketing or training.
What about emails and texts?
Please keep them to admin. If you send sensitive content, I’ll usually suggest we discuss it in session where your privacy is better protected.
Do you record sessions?
No, not without explicit, written agreement from both of us and a clear purpose. I do not routinely record therapy.
What happens if we meet outside therapy?
I won’t approach you to protect your confidentiality. If you say hello, I’ll follow your lead.
Summary
Confidentiality is central to how I work. I’ll offer you a private, respectful space—and I’ll be transparent about the rare situations where I may need to act to keep someone safe. If you have any questions or want to talk through a concern, please ask. It’s your therapy, and you’re entitled to understand how your information is handled.