Privacy Info
Under General Data Protection Regulation, I need to outline the personal information that I may collect from you in order to undertake therapeutic work. I hold your name and contact/address details (for invoices and contact). I keep financial records and a note of your attendance in order to log the number of hours that I complete as a psychotherapist that the UKCP requires from me. I may also keep material that arises from our sessions, for example, charts, diagrams, digital and paper correspondence, letters and reports that you give to me and letters that you ask me to write on your behalf. The data is kept as reference to the work and would only be shared with your permission. HMRC require that financial records be kept for 6 years. After psychotherapy has finished, session material may be kept up to 3 years or longer depending on individual circumstances that I would discuss and agree with you. I ask for a dated signature to indicate acceptance of this policy.
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Working Online
My preferred online service is Zoom, which is encrypted service and free for you to access and download. www.zoom.us. A video on how to use Zoom is here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting
Click [Zoom invitation link] at the appointed time to join the session.
Please make sure that:
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You have your computer or mobile set up with Zoom before the session commences. You will be able to enter the therapy room at the time of meeting. Please talk to me if it would help you to access the room to set up shortly before the session.
Note that Zoom is not a social network, and there is no need to open a personal account. It is also free for this kind of one-to-one call.
Please make sure you have the correct microphone and video turned on. You can check both in settings at the bottom left of the Zoom screen.
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Ideally you will be using a set of over-the-ear headphones with their own microphone (approx. £20 on Amazon, and the Logitech headset H340 is a good example).
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Your computer or mobile needs to be positioned at a sensible height so that I can clearly see your face and that the camera is at eye level.
It is very easy to hear background noises e.g. animals and washing machines and kettles etc. so please make sure you are in a quiet location. Headphones greatly help keep the sound manageable.
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It would be helpful if you are not disturbed for the duration of the session and that the door to the room you are sitting in is closed. Although exceptions can be made for receiving deliveries if need be.
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Please try to position a light behind the device in front of you to ensure adequate lighting and avoid having your back to a window or light – this can make it very hard for me to see you clearly.
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Recording a session can only happen with our mutual consent.
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Please let me know, so that we discuss, the possibility of any other person listening in to our sessions.
(Courtesy of Alexandra Dent)