Privacy Policy | Dr Alistair McBride

Any personal data which you provide to Dr Alistair McBride Counselling & Psychotherapy will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, in accordance both with Irish and European Data Protection legislation and with codes of ethics and practice for psychotherapists (IACP).

It is necessary for me to collect and process your personal data in order for me to provide you with counselling and psychotherapy. This notice sets out details of the information that I collect, how I process it and who I share it with. It also explains your rights under data protection law in relation to my processing your data.

How I Collect Your Personal Data

During our first meeting or over the phone we will fill in a form with your name, age, phone, email, name of next of kin/emergency contact, name of GP, and relevant history. All information received about and from you will be used by me only in accordance with the purposes outlined in this notice.

The Purpose and Legal Basis for Collecting Your Data

Any personal data you provide will be processed fairly and lawfully. In keeping with professional codes of ethics and practice the processing of personal data by me is necessary in the course of its legitimate activities.

I am required to maintain session notes; these notes will contain ONLY the themes discussed, with no personal information. Counselling records are also kept in the rare incident of conflict, such appropriate and confidential records can also help to protect both Client and Therapist. Precise record keeping can help provide clarity in the event of legal or ethical proceedings (IACP).

I store your information securely and retain counselling records for a period of seven years following termination of counselling in keeping with professional codes of practice. I will only ask for and keep information that is necessary and make every effort to keep it as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

Details of Third Parties With Whom Your Personal Data May be Shared

Disclosure of Information to Other Health Care Professionals

In the context of referral to other health care professionals, it may be necessary to furnish them with relevant parts of information in order for them to provide you with the treatment and services you need. This information will only be given with your explicit consent, except when there is serious concern for your safety.

Disclosures to Third Parties

In the case of requests made by third parties I will only release information with your signed consent.

Disclosures Required or Permitted Under Law

The information that you provide to me is confidential. Information shared within the context of a counselling relationship is treated in a strictly confidential manner and will not be divulged to others without your consent, except in the following exceptional circumstances:

If there is a serious concern that there may be a threat to your safety or life or that of another.
In the context of criminal behaviour and disclosures required by a legal process.
Counsellors are legally obliged under the Children First Act 2015 to report child protection concerns to Tusla Child & Family Agency, or An Garda Síochána.

Supervision, Professional Development and Quality Assurance

It is required by all psychotherapists and counsellors to attend professional supervision and engage in reflective practice at which they discuss client presentations as part of their continuing professional development. In these situations, any identifying information pertaining to the client concerned is not revealed.

How Long I Keep Your Data

In keeping with the data protection principles I will only store your data for as long as is necessary. For the purposes described here I will store your data for a period of seven years following the termination of counselling.

Accessing Your Counselling Notes

You have the right of access to all the personal information. If you wish to receive a copy of your records having viewed them, you can make a written request and they will be provided to you within thirty days or sooner, free of charge.

Your Rights

Subject to certain exemptions, you have various rights under data protection law, including the right:

To find out if I use your personal data, access your personal data and receive copies of your personal data;
To have inaccurate/incomplete information corrected and updated;
To have your details deleted from systems or have the use of your personal data restricted in certain ways;
To object to certain processing and withdrawal consent at any time;
To not be subject to solely automated decisions.

If you wish to avail of these rights or have any complaints, please contact Dr Alistair McBride at info@thecounsellor.ie.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (www.dataprotection.ie).