THERAPEUTIC SPACE
Confidentiality and Safety
All information disclosed within our sessions is confidential unless I think there is a risk of you harming yourself, someone else, or if I am called to give evidence in a court of law. In any of the above, I would let you know and hope we could discuss it beforehand. All records, forms and notes are kept in a locked filing system or as encrypted files.
It is a requirement of the BACP that I discuss aspects of our work with a qualified supervisor. However, Clients’ identities are not revealed.
I am legally bound to make disclosure to the police authorities if a client reveals that they are at serious risk of causing harm to others. In addition, if at any point during the counselling you were in need of emergency support, I may ask for your consent to contact your GP.
More on Confidentiality
According to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework, confidentiality involves actively protecting your information from unauthorised access or disclosure and clearly informing you about how your personal data will be used and who may have access to it, such as in supervision or training contexts. Therapists must ensure that anyone who receives your information agrees to keep it confidential and only disclose information with your consent or when there is a legally or ethically justified reason to do so. This includes situations where there is a risk of serious harm to you or others, or where disclosure is required by law. Therapists also inform you in advance about any foreseeable limits to confidentiality before therapy begins .
Similarly, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Code of Ethics emphasises that confidentiality is central to the therapeutic relationship. Psychotherapists commit to not disclosing any information about your therapy or personal details outside the therapy room or supervision without your written consent, except in exceptional circumstances such as legal requirements or serious risk of harm. In such cases, therapists strive to discuss the situation with you and limit disclosure to what is strictly necessary.
BREAKING CONFIDENTIALITY
In the context of therapy and counselling in the UK, disclosure would be required by law in the following specific situations:
Terrorism Act 2000 and related legislation: If a client discloses information indicating that they are involved in acts of terrorism, planning a terrorist act, or have knowledge of someone else's involvement, the therapist has a legal duty to report this to the police.
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: If a client discloses information that suggests they are involved in money laundering or handling the proceeds of crime, therapists may be legally obliged to report this to the authorities.
Children Act 1989 and safeguarding legislation: If a therapist has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm (abuse or neglect), they have a legal duty to report this to the relevant child protection services. This duty overrides confidentiality.
Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007): In situations where a client poses an immediate and serious risk to themselves or others due to a mental disorder, and the therapist believes that detention under the Mental Health Act is necessary, they may be required to disclose information to facilitate a mental health assessment and potential detention.
Court Orders: A court can issue a court order that compels a therapist to disclose client information as evidence in legal proceedings.
Road Traffic Act 1988: If a therapist believes a client is unfit to drive due to a medical condition, they may need to disclose this to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) if the client refuses to do so themselves.
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003: Mandatory reporting if you are told by a client they have performed FGM on themselves or someone else.
Legal and Ethical Framework
Safeguarding
To protect the space, it is important we both share the responsibility of safeguarding against intrusion of any kind at either end of the communication:
Physical intrusion: being overheard or someone being present without the knowledge and consent of the person at the other end of the communication
third party intrusion: adequate password protection and encryption of services being provided, regularly updating firewalls, virus protection or other applicable security systems and providing suitable information to service users to enable them to protect their end of the communications.
technological breakdown which prevents us meeting online, we would discuss how to rearrange the scheduled appointment.
Working Online
I am a self employed individual in private practice, my qualifications, right to practice, business activity operate under UK law. You can find my GDPR statement here.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and abide by their code of practice and ethical framework. Further information relating to these guidelines can be found at www.bacp.co.uk
As a registered member of the BACP, I am subject to their complaints and sanctions.
According to the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), working online includes all electronic and digital methods of communication such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or any other device.
Our online sessions are on Zoom, and there are some simple steps I take to ensure sessions are secure, which we will go through in the initial consultation.
Some points to consider when working online
It is imperative that your space is private, sound proof (ie no one can hear you), and that you will not be disturbed. For example, it is NOT ok for someone else to be in the same room while we are in session, even if they are wearing noise reducing headphones. Please see my GDPR and DPA statement specifically relating to online sessions.
It’s worth doing an audio and visual test run on all devices, and having headphones and a charger to hand.
Ensure your devise has enough charge or is plugged in
Are you familiar enough with the technology / apps used, and do you have appropriate devices with a back-up if necessary?
Is your internet / WIFI connection stable, secure, and do you check this regularly?
