Purpose
This confidentiality policy (“Policy”) is intended to protect the privacy of the client (“Client”) in their therapeutic relationship with the counsellor (“Counsellor”). The purpose of this Policy is to outline the ways that counsellors working for Serenity Counselling will ensure a secure environment that fosters trust, openness, and effective therapy.
We reserve the right to change this policy at any given time. If you want to make sure that you are up to date with the latest changes, we advise you to frequently visit our website for updates.
Extent of Confidentiality
All communication between the Client and the Counsellor, whether verbal or written, will be treated with utmost confidentiality. This includes counselling sessions, notes, reports, and other personal information. The Counsellor will securely store these records.
Limits of Confidentiality
While the Counsellor is committed to maintaining confidentiality, certain circumstances may necessitate the disclosure of information. These situations include:
- When the Counsellor believes that the Client poses a risk to their safety or the safety of others.
- When the Counsellor is under legal order to disclose information.
- In cases where consultation with other professionals is needed, either by the client’s suggestion, or if the Counsellor is providing a referral to another service, the Counsellor will only disclose information necessary for the consultation. This information will only be supplied with the Client’s permission, and the Client must fill in a Permission to Disclose form, supplied by the Counsellor.
In any of these circumstances, your Counsellor will notify you in advance (unless this is not possible for legal reasons). Your Counsellor will discuss with you the extent of the information provided.
Rights and Responsibilities
Client’s Rights
The Client has a right to privacy and to understand the steps taken to protect this right. The Counsellor will maintain secure records of all counselling sessions and related information. These records will be kept for a period of seven years after the date of your last counselling session, after which they will be destroyed. The Client has a right to request a summary of these records.
Client’s Responsibilities
The Client is responsible for protecting their privacy outside of the counselling context. This includes understanding the potential privacy implications of email, texting, or social media interactions.
Other Confidentiality Information
Agreement to Terms
Clients must read and sign an informed consent form, provided by the counsellor, acknowledging that they understand the terms of the counselling service, including a summary of this counselling policy. Clients may withdraw their consent with written notice.
Queries, concerns and further information
For queries, concerns or further information relating to this policy and Serenity Counselling, contact us.
Last Updated: 24/09/2025