Digital policy
This digital policy relates to digital media and the impact it may have on your counselling experience. It aims to address the most likely eventualities that may arise around online activities, including issues relating to privacy, data protection, and boundaries.
I am not currently using an email encryption programme, so any emails we send to each other may be vulnerable to viruses or human error. For this reason, it is important to consider what you include in emails to me, and which email address you choose to use. I will ask for your preferred email address in our first appointment together (also known as the initial consultation).
In an effort to keep confidential material in the therapy room, it is best to avoid disclosing it in an email. All emails are retained in the logs of Internet Service Providers, and can also be vulnerable to viruses and unintentional forwarding or replication. If you are concerned about the confidentiality of your emails, you may wish to contact me by telephone instead.
I only check emails during office hours. My emails are not checked on Sundays, bank holidays or outside of office hours. On the days I am working, I try to respond to emails within 24 hours.
Email should never be used in the event of an emergency. In a crisis, you should contact Samaritans (dial 116 123), NHS 111 (dial 111), or the emergency services (dial 999).
In an effort to keep confidential material in the therapy room, it is best to avoid disclosing it in an email. All emails are retained in the logs of Internet Service Providers, and can also be vulnerable to viruses and unintentional forwarding or replication. If you are concerned about the confidentiality of your emails, you may wish to contact me by telephone instead.
I only check emails during office hours. My emails are not checked on Sundays, bank holidays or outside of office hours. On the days I am working, I try to respond to emails within 24 hours.
Email should never be used in the event of an emergency. In a crisis, you should contact Samaritans (dial 116 123), NHS 111 (dial 111), or the emergency services (dial 999).
Text messages
Contact by text message should be limited to appointment cancellations or changes, or to inform me if you are running late for an appointment. I will ask for your mobile phone number before you come for your first counselling session, in case I need to contact you before we meet.
My phone is only switched on during office hours. This means I do not check or reply to text messages on Sundays, bank holidays or outside of office hours.
I am unable to offer an emergency service, even by phone. In a crisis, you should contact Samaritans (dial 116 123), NHS 111 (dial 111), or the emergency services (dial 999).
My phone is only switched on during office hours. This means I do not check or reply to text messages on Sundays, bank holidays or outside of office hours.
I am unable to offer an emergency service, even by phone. In a crisis, you should contact Samaritans (dial 116 123), NHS 111 (dial 111), or the emergency services (dial 999).
Telephone and online counselling
While I typically hold counselling appointments face-to-face, there may be times when we agree to have telephone or online therapy sessions. For both telephone and online appointments, I will make every effort to ensure confidentiality and data security.
For online counselling, I use a platform called Zoom. Zoom does not collect personal information and sessions are not recorded. In addition, video calls are encrypted to ensure they remain confidential.
Whether you are having telephone or online counselling, you will need to make sure you are in a safe, secure and private space for your appointment. You are responsible for the security of your devices, using password protection, and having regularly updated virus checkers and firewalls installed. I will also do the same.
We both agree not to record our telephone or online sessions.
For online counselling, I use a platform called Zoom. Zoom does not collect personal information and sessions are not recorded. In addition, video calls are encrypted to ensure they remain confidential.
Whether you are having telephone or online counselling, you will need to make sure you are in a safe, secure and private space for your appointment. You are responsible for the security of your devices, using password protection, and having regularly updated virus checkers and firewalls installed. I will also do the same.
We both agree not to record our telephone or online sessions.
Clear Insight Counselling social media
I have Facebook and Twitter accounts for Clear Insight Counselling. On these pages I post tips, information, links and articles relating to counselling and mental health. I may also engage in public conversations on these topics.
In accordance with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Code of Ethical Practice, I will never discuss client details or sessions on any social media channels. I will also not knowingly engage with clients over social media.
It is your decision whether or not you follow me on social media, although for reasons of confidentiality, and to preserve our therapeutic relationship, it is advisable not to.
In accordance with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Code of Ethical Practice, I will never discuss client details or sessions on any social media channels. I will also not knowingly engage with clients over social media.
It is your decision whether or not you follow me on social media, although for reasons of confidentiality, and to preserve our therapeutic relationship, it is advisable not to.
Personal social media
I have a private Facebook account for personal use, and a LinkedIn account for professional use. I aim to keep my Facebook account as private as possible, and it would not be appropriate to be Facebook “friends” with current or former clients. It would also not be appropriate to add current or former clients as “connections” on LinkedIn.
I acknowledge there can sometimes be an overlap across social networks, where we may have mutual friends or acquaintances in common. If this is the case, we would need to discuss it in our next session together.
I agree not to ever search for you on social media.
I acknowledge there can sometimes be an overlap across social networks, where we may have mutual friends or acquaintances in common. If this is the case, we would need to discuss it in our next session together.
I agree not to ever search for you on social media.
For your privacy, I do not want to encounter information about you that does not come directly from you. This means I do not Google my clients.
I acknowledge you may use Google to find out about me when you are looking for a counsellor. If this search has raised any questions, I would be happy to discuss them with you. Going forward, I have found it is best to find out from each other what we need to know.
You can find out more information about privacy, and how any information you provide to Clear Insight Counselling is used and protected, in my privacy policy.
I acknowledge you may use Google to find out about me when you are looking for a counsellor. If this search has raised any questions, I would be happy to discuss them with you. Going forward, I have found it is best to find out from each other what we need to know.
You can find out more information about privacy, and how any information you provide to Clear Insight Counselling is used and protected, in my privacy policy.