Privacy Policy

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 How will my data be stored? In May 2018 the Data Protection Act was replaced by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The changes to the Data Protection Act are aimed at ensuring that your personal, confidential and sometimes sensitive data, is held privately and securely. This means that any data that you give to Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy must be processed in a way you agree with. GDPR exists to protect your rights as a consumer. it applies to your identifiable data, e.g. your name and address and any reason you might have for using Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy. It also covers any session records, text messages or emails between Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy and yourself. 

How long will you hold my information for? Sharon Clare is a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy. As such, they are bound by their regulations regarding the length of time they must hold your data. This organisation stipulates that written records must be stored securely for 8 years after the last interaction with an adult client and up to the age of 25 for a child under 16 when last seen, or 26yrs for 17-18 year old. All records will be deleted in the January after the above timescales. This is in line with the NHS records for holding data. 

What if I would like my data to be destroyed before this date? Due to the sensitive nature of what Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy offers, the insurance company advises that the deletion of client data cannot occur before the minimum term (see above) has expired.

Am I able to see or get a copy of the information held by you? In line with GDPR, if you send Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy a request in writing, specifying the data you wish to see, they will supply you with a copy of the data within 30 days. Sharon Clare will need to confirm your identity before sending you the information. There will be no charge for this service. NB: Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy's insurance company's legal team may wish to verify any information Sharon Clare sends out. 

What are your Reasons for collecting this information? Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy is keen to offer the highest quality support to their clients and in order to do so they will collect the following information: 

• An idea of what you want to achieve by coming for hypnotherapy
• A small amount of medical information 
• Some brief session notes 
• Your contact details
• GP contact details 
• CORP research data 
• Some basic information about your significant others

This information allows Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy to provide continuity within the sessions, in order to help you towards your goal. This information will allow Sharon Clare to refer to the content of earlier sessions and previous discussions. Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy will only use your contact details/address and GP's details with your explicit consent. See consent form and initial consultation. 

How do I know that you will store my information securely? 

• Text messages/Whatsapp - my mobile phone is secured with Face ID or a passcode. 
• Emails – my email account requires Face ID or a user name and password. All emails are treated as written information (see sections above) and will be stored in accordance with this. 
• Session notes & personal information – all information is stored electronically on a a password protected device, within an application that requires Authentication approval before a personal file can be opened. Applications used are Powerdiary (a secure platform for clinicians and/or one drive). 
• CORP research data - accessed via a password protected programme on a password protected device.  

Are our discussions within the hypnotherapy sessions confidential? Everything you discuss with Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy remains strictly confidential. Occasionally it may be necessary for Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy to discuss elements of your sessions with their supervisor to ensure that they are helping you in the most effective way. However, no identifying features about you will be disclosed during these sessions. Sharon Clare's supervisor is also registered with the ICO and abides by GDPR requirements. 

What if I see you outside of a hypnotherapy session? Sharon Clare is obliged by GDPR to protect your confidentiality at all times and therefore won't initiate conversation. However, if you wish to discuss your therapy with other people present, that is your choice and you are welcome to do so. 

Will you discuss information about me with other health and social care professionals? Sharon Clare is only able to contact other health and social care professionals with your written consent. Should they write to your GP, to notify them that you have entered into a therapeutic relationship with them, or to notify them that your therapy has been successfully concluded, Sharon Clare would require your signature, in line with GDPR requirements. Sharon Clare does have a 'duty of care' towards their clients, so the only exceptions to this would be if they believed you were about to harm yourself or others. Should this occur then Sharon Clare would be required to inform the relevant authorities. However, Sharon Clare would always aim to discuss this with you before taking any action. Legally, Sharon Clare would also have to provide the police with information as set out in a warrant or court order, should the situation arise. 

Who is the Data Controller and what is their ICO registration number? 

The Data Controller is Sharon Clare Hypnotherapy. This policy was last updated on 25/3/24. It may be updated at any time, so please check back regularly to ensure that you are aware of the latest version (this can be found on the bottom of the website at www.sharonclare-hypnotherapy.com). Please note the cookie policy for the website is available to view online. 

ICO Registration number: ZB676025