Important Information

Fees

I charge £55 for a 50 minute session for individuals.

Please note: Payments for sessions should be made via bank transfer a minimum of 48 hours prior to the session. A session is only confirmed when payment is received. If you need to rearrange your session, please contact me as soon as you can to see if this is possible.

Fees are subject to change on an annual basis.

Location

I am currently providing online and telephone therapy only. If you have any concerns regarding online and telephone therapy, please get in touch. Many people are actually surprised at how effective online and telephone therapy can be. For some, it gives an increased sense of flexibility.

Confidentiality & Privacy

It is important that when we work together, you feel safe. What you bring to your sessions will remain confidential and will stay between us.

The only exception to this is where there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, a requirement by law, or where you give consent for the confidence to be broken. This happens rarely but really it is about keeping you safe.

If this ever happens I won't break your confidentiality without you knowing. Nothing will happen behind your back. I will discuss this with you first wherever this is possible. We can explore this in our first session together and please feel free to ask any questions that you may have.

The National Counselling Society (NCS) Ethical Framework for Good Practice to which I adhere, requires that I am in regular supervision of my work to ensure that standards are maintained. Although I discuss my caseload with my supervisor, your personal details are not disclosed.

If you would like to know more about the NCS Ethical Framework, please click here:

NCS Ethical Framework

Under UK data protection law (UK GDPR), I need a legal reason to use your personal information. Because therapy involves sensitive health information, there are two legal rules I must meet:

1. General personal data

I use your information because it’s necessary to carry out our agreement. When you choose me as your therapist, we form a contract. I need to use your personal details to provide the therapy you’ve asked for.

2. Sensitive health data

I also use your health information because it’s needed to provide you with therapy. As a qualified therapist, I’m allowed to do this as part of delivering care, and I’m required to keep everything confidential.

UK law requirement

There’s an additional rule in UK law that allows health professionals to use personal data when it’s needed for health or social care.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under registration number ZA602354, and I am a registered member of NCPS.

I collect and use the following types of personal information:

Basic contact and admin details such as your name, address, phone number, and email, emergency contact information, your GP’s details (if needed), information you send through the website contact form.

Health and therapy information such as why you’re seeking therapy and the concerns you bring; relevant medical or mental health history; and notes from our therapy sessions.

Important

Your health and therapy information is considered sensitive data under UK GDPR. This means it has extra legal protection, and I’m only allowed to use it under strict conditions set by law.

Secure Storage

I make every effort to keep all information confidential. Your personal information is stored securely and confidentially. Once your forms are completed, they will be saved on a password encrypted laptop and within a password protected folder. My notes will not contain your name or any personally identifying information and will only contain your initials. Your telephone number is kept on a password protected phone.

Any communication that we have via email will be kept for the duration of your therapy and then destroyed. I will hold your data for 7 years after our last session in line with the Limitation Act 1980 and standard professional indemnity insurance requirements.

Supervision

I work in line with NCPS guidelines, which means I attend regular clinical supervision. Supervision is an important part of safe and ethical practice, helping me reflect on my work and make sure I’m offering you the best possible support. When I talk about my work in supervision, your privacy is always protected:

I do not share your name or any identifying details
I only use anonymised or disguised information
My supervisor is a qualified professional who is also bound by strict confidentiality
They follow their own professional ethical framework
The focus is on supporting my work and development, not on identifying you as a client

This is a normal and important part of therapy practice, and it helps ensure that the care you receive is safe, thoughtful, and of a high standard.

Legal Exceptions

The information disclosed during the course of counselling is confidential. However, there are legal exceptions. For example, if you reveal a threat of harm, or there is a threat of harm to self or to others, if you reveal knowledge of terrorist activity or if a court order is received and a legal obligation arises.

Right to Access

You have the right to ask for a copy of your personal information, free of charge, in an electronic or paper format. You also have the right to ask me to amend or change any incorrect information about you.

Right to be Forgotten

You have the right to ask me to erase any information that I hold about you. This includes your personal information that is no longer relevant to original purposes, or if you wish to withdraw consent. In all cases and when considering such requests, these rights are obligatory unless it’s information that I have a legal obligation to retain.

Data Portability

As the client, you have the right to receive your personal information which you previously provided, and also have the right to transfer that information to another party.

This Privacy Policy lets you know how your personal information is being collected, stored, and shared and this is line with EU/UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Complaints

If you have any concerns about how your information is handled, you’re welcome to get in touch with me. I will always take your concerns seriously and aim to respond as promptly as possible.

You can contact me at contact@clear-skies-therapy.co.uk.

If you feel your concerns haven’t been fully resolved, you also have the option to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Website: ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Address: ICO, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF