Introduction
As mental health clinicians, we respect your privacy and treat what you share with us as confidential. We aim to work openly and collaboratively with you at all times.
Usually, what you discuss in sessions stays between you and your clinician. Your clinician may discuss their work with a professional supervisor to ensure good quality care, but your name or identifying details will not normally be shared.
However, there are rare situations where we may need to share information without your permission. This could happen if we believe:
- You are at serious risk of harm (for example, risk of suicide)
- Someone else is at risk of harm
- There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
If possible and appropriate, we will try to discuss this with you first.
This document explains how we use and protect your personal information under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
What Information We Collect
To provide therapy, ADHD assessments, or related services, we may collect and store:
Personal Information
This includes:
- Your name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Date of birth
Sensitive Health Information
This may include:
- Mental health information
- Physical health information
- Medication details
- Personal history discussed in sessions
Sometimes information about important people in your life (such as partners, family members, or friends) may also be recorded if it is relevant to your care.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide therapy and healthcare services
- Keep accurate clinical records
- Communicate with you about appointments or treatment
- Meet professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities
- Protect you or others from serious harm when necessary
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you normally have the right to:
- Know how your information is used
- Access your records
- Ask for incorrect information to be corrected
- Request that information is deleted
- Restrict or object to certain uses of your data
However, there are some situations where these rights may be limited by law, particularly when safeguarding concerns exist or when sharing information is necessary to protect someone from harm.
When We May Share Information Without Consent
We usually process your information with your clear and informed consent.
However, UK law allows us to share information without consent in certain safeguarding situations under the Data Protection Act 2018.
This may happen when:
1. It is not possible or safe to get your consent
For example:
- You are unable to give consent
- Asking for consent could increase risk or prevent protection from being provided
- There is a strong public interest in protecting someone from harm
2. There are concerns about serious harm or neglect
We may share information if we reasonably believe that:
- You or another person is at risk of physical, emotional, or mental harm
- A child or vulnerable adult may be at risk
- Someone is unable to protect themselves from neglect or abuse
In these situations, we may contact relevant professionals such as your GP, emergency services, or safeguarding teams.
How We Protect Your Information
We take your privacy seriously and store your information securely. We only keep information that is necessary for providing our services and meeting legal or professional requirements.
Access to your information is limited to authorised professionals who need it to support your care.
By signing these documents, you confirm that you understand how your information may be used and protected.
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions about how your information is handled, please speak to your clinician. We are happy to explain anything that is unclear.