Cannongate Counselling takes client privacy seriously and we would like to reassure you that we have systems in place that respect how we use and protect the information that you share with us. To this end the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will apply from 25 May 2018, when it supersedes the UK Data Protection Act 1998. The new law expands the rights of individuals to control how their personal information is collected and processed.

How do we collect and use your information?
Initially, we take essential information such as your name, address, contact details, work profile and family circumstances. In addition, we also keep records of the on-going work with you that help us to keep track of your progress and key themes. These records are written in a way that does not identify you, and soon after, when the work with you is complete, we shred the notes.

We will never communicate with you in writing, electronically, by ‘phone or text to discuss the content of our work. This will only take place in the counselling setting that is private and wholly confidential.

Confidentiality
Confidentiality and transparency are at the heart of counselling and our work with you is completely protected except when we judge that there is a serious risk to yourself or others, when we are legally obliged to do so. We also take details of your family GP since this enables us, with your consent, to seek medical help in an emergency.