Data Privacy Policy
This policy provides an overview of how Teresa complies with data protection legislation and the basis on which any personal data Teresa collects from you, or that you provide to her, will be processed. Although Teresa may need to collect and hold certain personal data in order to deliver her services to you, she is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This policy is informed by the Information Commissioner’s Office, ICO which is the independent supervisory authority for data protection in the UK.
Couple Family Therapy – Teresa Pacchiega
Teresa is a qualified family and systemic psychotherapist and clinical psychologist and started her independent practice in the UK in 2015. Teresa’s website provides information about her qualifications, experiences and her practice.
My contact details
Name: Teresa Pacchiega
Address: www.couplefamilytherapy.co.uk
Phone Number: +44 7910 097085
Email: contact@couplefamilytherapy.co.uk
The type of personal information I collect and how I get this information
I currently collect and process the following information:
1. Personal identifiers, contacts and characteristics: name and contact details, contact details of next of kin, contact detail of your GP and information about health issues and medication.
This information is obtained via the Therapy Contract Part 2 – Client form at the beginning of the work.
2. Records of communications and meeting: I am obliged by my professional code of conduct to keep records of the dates and brief notes of the main themes discussed in sessions.
3. Records of health and social reports from other organisations: if you had therapy with other clinicians and organisations or if you had been in contact with social care, it is helpful to have a summary of the work carried out by them.
I will ask you for a copy of the reports you might have or your consent to liaise with these professionals or organisations.
Why I have the information described above
1. The personal information is required in order to establish a contract for the services and to ensure communication channels with you as well as a safer practice.
Contact of GP and a next of Kin in required in case of concerns as explained in the Therapy Contract. Please note that I will endeavour to discuss with you prior to contacting and sharing information about you with any other person. In situation of risk, I am required by law to take action in order to ensure yours and others safety.
Information about health issues and medication enables to take them into consideration as part of the service provided.
2. Records of communications and meetings are a requirement of my professional registration and are used to help to develop an understanding of the patterns and dynamics that are contributing to the issues you bring to the sessions. They help to inform my practice and to how I develop and coordinate the work with you.
To enhance my practice, I may discuss the work with you in my clinical supervision. This will be done with your best interest in mind and, to preserve your privacy and comply with confidentiality, no names or identifiable information will be shared with others.
3. Records of health and social reports from other organisations are helpful in complementing perspectives from other professionals that will contribute to the above (item 2).
How I store your personal information
Your information is securely stored in my personal computer which has encrypted password protection.
I keep your personal information as described above for the period that I am required by the professional regulatory body that I am part of, the UKCP. At the end of this period, I delete or destroy all personal data that is no longer required for me to keep.
Your data protection rights
Under data protection law, you have a number of rights about how your data is managed. This includes: right to access your data, to restrict of processing of your personal information in certain circumstances, to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate, among other things.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of your data processing and management, please get in touch with me and we can decide together the best way to proceed with your questions and requests. ICO provides a comprehensive information on your rights and guidance for your requests and concerns.
How to complain
If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, please contact me to discuss them. I will endeavour to explain and clarify any questions that you might have.
If you would like to make a complaint to Teresa’s professional registration board, you can find more information of this procedure in:
The UKCP – UK Council for Psychotherapy: how to make a complaint
You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.
The ICO’s address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113