Trusted Minds Therapy 07500630283
Name of company
Trusted Minds Therapy
Registered office
Broadstone, Dorset
Contact details
Catherine Crosby MBACP
info@trustedmindstherapy.co.uk
Telephone: 07500630283
Regulatory authority
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Our Policies & Terms
Trusted Minds Therapy offers a confidential counselling service to its clients in accordance with the ethical requirements of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Confidentiality
Trusted Minds Therapy offers confidential counselling services to its clients in accordance with the ethical requirements of the BACP.
Confidentiality as defined by BACP is the protection of information that has been communicated in the expectation that it will not be disclosed to others.
Reasonably Foreseeable Limitations to Confidentiality.
Any limitations that a reasonably competent practitioner ought to be able to anticipate as causing difficulties in protecting clients’ confidences, for example, arising from legal or contractual obligations to disclose confidential information or to protect people from serious harm. Some situations that arise in practice may be so unexpected or exceptional that they are not considered to be reasonably foreseeable.
Breaching Confidentiality
Disclosing something that has been communicated in confidence by mutual agreement or with the expectation that it will be kept secret. The expectation of secrecy may have been stated expressly or implied. Confidentiality is breached when any disclosure is made without the consent of the person concerned, legal authorisation or being legally defensible in the public interest. Breaches can occur accidentally or deliberately. In most circumstances, obtaining the consent of the person concerned provides an ethical way of avoiding a breach of confidentiality.
Any disclosure of confidential information requires respecting the possible rights to confidentiality of any third person who is identifiable within the disclosure.
Ownership & storage of Information
Information passed on in the course counselling is deemed to have been passed on to be used, or not, within reason based on the nature of the information and work being done, unless the ‘giver’ of said information specifically requests it not be shared and the information does not indicate risk to the ‘giver’ or another. The ‘giver’ of the information remains the owner.
Storing Information
Where appropriate, personal information is anonymised and securely stored electronically in a password protected server. Electronic records are maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations 2018. An individual who is the subject of a computer record is entitled under the Act to access their record, as well as the right to erase, amend or restrict the processing of the data held under these regulations. We will immediately inform anyone if their data confidentiality has been breached.
Disclosing Information
You will be informed of any reasonably foreseeable limitations of privacy or confidentiality in advance, for example Supervision or training and in circumstances including the risk of harm to individuals or as required by law. This will not be considered a breach of confidentiality; however, the information remains personal and private and in the control of the ‘giver’.
Should it be necessary to disclose personally identifiable details of a client or their counselling to a third party or external organisation outside of the above circumstances, clients will be informed and required to give their consent before information is disclosed. The client must be kept informed of any issues concerning confidentiality and disclosure in relation to their counselling.
Where the client is attending within the NHS, the NHS risk protocol must be followed where risk is identified. Risk will always override confidentiality.
In line with the BACP’s Code of Ethics, GPs will be informed if their patient is receiving counselling only following where risk has been identified. No further details will be disclosed without the client’s consent and the client is informed of this in writing.
When working with clients in prison we must follow the Prison Risk Protocol and ACCT procedure which can be supplied upon request.
Where email is used as a form of communication about specific clients, information contained will be anonymised, using only client initials and appointment time-slot.
The client’s individual counselling contract will contain details of the confidentiality boundaries that apply to that counselling referral.
Disclosure of Information Procedure
In the rare event when information needs to be disclosed to an external authority, such as a GP, the following procedure is recommended.
We will discuss the situation with my Supervisor, or where necessary another Supervisor.
Where the Supervisor cannot resolve the situation then relevant external professional/legal advice will be taken in confidence to resolve the situation.
You will have the decision and the reasons for it explained to you, within confidentiality restraints of any external organisation involved.
We will make every effort to resolve situations as quickly as possible.
Each case will be considered on its individual merits. Where risk is identified, whether threats of suicide or physical harm to another, it is imperative that disclosure is discussed with the Client and where possible, consent for disclosure obtained.
In addition to these procedures, the following comments are offered for guidance:
In cases where after the recommended procedure has been followed, a child is felt to be at risk or in danger, the welfare of the child is paramount (C.A.1989) and Social Services must be informed
Safeguarding Policy
The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive therapy from Trusted Minds Therapy, and to provide the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection, to clarify safeguarding roles and responsibilities.
Trusted Minds Therapy operates from the position that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practise in a way that protects them. We recognise that the welfare of the child/young person is paramount, that all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. We will seek to keep children and young people safe by valuing them, listening to and respecting them, communicating with children (verbally) and parents (verbally and in writing) from the beginning of interventions about our safeguarding responsibilities and the limits of confidentiality. Providing effective management through supervision and support and recruiting associate therapists safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made, sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
If a safeguarding concern arises within privately commissioned work, we will speak to the parent/carer (unless unsafe to do so), keep the child informed about who information will be shared with, discuss the concern in supervision to agree a way forward and when necessary, share information with outside agencies such as children’s social care.
If a safeguarding concern arises within an outside setting such as a school, where an organisational safeguarding policy and structure already exists, we will speak to the parent/carer (unless unsafe to do so), keep the child informed about who information will be shared with, address safeguarding concerns through that organisation’s framework (for example liaising with the school safeguarding lead to agree a way forward) and when necessary, share information with outside agencies such as children’s social care.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that Counselling or Psychotherapy Treatments are not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment. Clients are responsible for assessing the outcome of their treatment and are advised to refer to NICE guidelines for further information.
Please note that talking therapies are not intended to replace conventional medical treatment and care. Nor are they intended to replace formal diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner.
Talking therapies may give information or guidance that could bring about positive change and such information or guidance is given for the client to consider/ Although the therapist will be supportive and helpful as possible in all decision making and change processes, any resulting choices and changes made by the client do remain the personal and legal responsibility of the client.
Get in touch
Call today
07500630283
or contact me below to arrange a free initial phone call to discuss your needs and explore how we can work together.
this is an important first step in finding the right counsellor for your needs.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.