Anchor Counselling is a counselling agency affiliated with the Association of Christian Counsellors. We are a team of qualified counsellors that offer a professional service for adults, adolescents, children, and couples. Anchor is supported by Christian Fellowship Church (Charity No. 101476) and as such this privacy statement forms an addendum to the CFC Privacy Statement.
How we store your information:
Anchor Counselling are the data controllers for the information you give us. We use your consent, or legitimate interest, as the lawful basis for processing your personal information.
Data is held in the following formats by Anchor Counselling in respect to clients:
Electronically:
- Password protected spreadsheet held within CFC office to manage new client waiting list for the purpose of allocations to counsellors. This list consists of the name, postcode, age and gender of each client and is only accessible by the Anchor Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader.
- Anchor Counsellors may also store your mobile number or email address on their personal phones for the purposes of contact and arranging appointments. Your contact information will be deleted from their personal phones at the end of your therapy.
Handwritten/paper Documents:
- Personal information obtained at assessment consisting of name, address, mobile and/or landline numbers, and possibly email address for the purposes of contact.
- Details of G.P. name and practice for the purpose of contact in an emergency or to send out agreed information by post.
- Handwritten summary notes of counselling sessions to remind counsellors of themes and interventions used in session. This is aimed at providing you with the best possible therapy and is a requirement for documentation of sessions. These are securely stored separate from any identifying information and are encrypted using an assigned client code. Client records are retained for a period of 7 years after completion of therapy before being shredded, as outlined by the Association of Christian Counsellors. For children, records will be kept from the end of therapy until they reach the age of 25.
Sharing your Information
- Anchor Counselling will only share information about you with outside parties under circumstances relating to risk or legal requirement as outlined in the confidentially part of the Anchor Counselling Agreement (e.g. immediate risk of substantial harm to self or others; or under a legal requirement, e.g. terrorism, drug money laundering; or via court order for disclosure). We will always make you aware when any disclosures are being made and will endeavour to work with you in this.
- Anchor Counselling will never sell your data to third parties for any reason.
- As a client of Anchor Counselling you have the right to request a copy of your case notes at any time. Your signature is required on a release of information form and for couple’s therapy both clients must be present to sign for the release of any records. Once records are released from Anchor Counselling, we are no longer responsible for who has sight over the records and this becomes the sole responsibility of the client.
- Under data protection law you have the right:
- · to access a copy and explanation of your personal data
- · to request correction or erasure, in certain circumstances
- · to request limiting or ceasing data processing, where applicable
- · to compensation for substantial damage or distress caused by data processing, where applicable ( i.e. where data is inappropriately/carelessly shared to others without your knowledge.)
Our Promise to You:
At Anchor Counselling we take our responsibility for protecting your personal information very seriously. If you have any questions or concerns about how we use your personal information, please contact us:
Tel: (028) 9065 0690
Email: anchor@thisiscfc.com
Or write to us at:
Anchor Counselling Team Leader 10 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT4 2AN
