Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
All personal information will be kept securely and used only for the purpose for which it was given.
I adhere to current data protection legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) (the GDPR).
Please contact me with any questions about this policy via hester@effectivesteps.com
I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office: registration reference ZA164994
My lawful basis for holding personal data is that it is necessary for the purpose of psychotherapy.
I will collect the following personal information:
Name
Address
Telephone number
Email
Date of birth
GP
Emergency contact
Personal details and any session notes are kept on a secure database or in a locked office or in a locked filing cabinet.
My mobile phone is PIN protected, and my e-mail address password protected.
Personal details are not shared with any third party.
Records are kept for seven years after the end of counselling sessions and are then destroyed.
Clients have a right to ask for personal information to be deleted, to limit how it is used or for it to no longer be processed. Clients can also ask for a copy of any information being held about them by emailing hester@effectivesteps.com
For more information about the rights of data subjects please see ico.org.uk/your-data-matters.
Complaints about the handling of personal data can be addressed to the above email address in the first instance and any formal complaints to the ICO at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Terms and Conditions
Hester Bancroft has a first class degree in Psychology, holds a doctorate in Counselling Psychology, is a registered Psychotheraist with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) is a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), a professional member of ANLP (Association of NLP) and member of the BPS (British Psychological Society). Hester abides by the BPS code of ethics and the code of ethics of the Metanoia Institute (with whom she trained). Hester has an enhanced DRB (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. She also holds HCPC (Health and Care Professional Council) registration.
If a client is experiencing severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts Hester is happy to support them in the best way she can, however, she will do so only if they are under the supervision of their GP alongside the intervention.
Hester gets consistently good results for her clients around the issues they face. However, as with any therapist, the outcome or result cannot be guaranteed. Hester is aware that no one therapist can be best for every client. If for any reason a client feels that the treatment is not working, it is important the client knows she or he can always consult another professional or change therapists.
When working with children
Hester is not a medical practitioner and, as such, does not prescribe medication or make diagnoses. However, when working with children, she may make recommendations to parents to consult with additional professional(s) should she believe a particular child is displaying signs of a psychological condition such as ASD, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or appears to have processing difficulties.
Where it is considered helpful and is agreed by the parents, Hester is able to provide reports to schools and local authorities sharing her thoughts in relation to a particular client’s social and emotional needs within the academic setting, and to support applications for a Statement of Special Education Needs. Please note that there is a charge for this service.
Hester will endeavour to provide appointments on a mutually agreeable date and time. It is however the client's responsibility to
ensure they have booked the appointment in advance. Please note that after school appointments get booked up very quickly.
Please also note that, where parents are separated, Hester needs the express permission from both parents for their child to attend therapeutic sessions.
These sessions are confidential. It is important for a child to feel (as adults do) that what is discussed in their sessions are between their therapist and themselves. Where it is helpful, Hester will give an overview of what is being covered but will not disclose the content of the sessions to parents. Children can, of course, share whatever they wish to with their parents.
As Hester works from her home, she does not have a waiting room. Therefore, parents are requested to drop off their children and collect them after their 55 minute session. Prompt collection is appreciated.
For all clients
Clients will be required to pay at the end of each session by cash, debit card or cheque.
Hester requests 24 hours notice to cancel any appointments. She will endeavour to fill a cancelled appointment, but reserves the right to charge the full session fee for short notice cancellations if she is unable to re-book them. Please note that this also applies to clients whose appointments are normally covered by their health insurance companies as these companies do not pay for cancelled sessions. When this happens the client will be expected to pay the full fee of the session if cancelled in less that 24 hours.
Confidentiality is assured unless disclosure is required by law or in the circumstance of significant risk to self or others.
