CONFIDENTIALITY: 

1. It is hereby stated that everything discussed between the Counsellor and the Client, during the Sessions, is strictly confidential in nature. The Organization requires the Counsellor to discuss their work with their Supervisor/s from time to time. However, during such discussions, personal information of the Client will not be disclosed. Any information received by the Supervisor/s shall be considered confidential in nature, being subjected to the same ethical criteria as the Counsellor.   

2. An expressed consent of the Client will be taken, in case a need arises for sharing information, obtained from the Client during the Sessions, with a third party. 

3. However, the following circumstances are exceptions to the above-mentioned statement, whereby the exceptions include but are not limited to the following :  

1. 1. if the Client is under the age of 18 years, the parents or the legal guardian(s) may have access to the records and may authorise the release of the same to a Third Party;

   2. and/or when a case is transferred;

   3. and/or if the Client is reasonably suspected to be in danger of harming oneself or another;

   4. and/or if the Client discloses the act of abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, or disabled persons;

   5. and/or to help qualify the Client for certain kinds of evaluation;

   6. and/or if the Client is part of a criminal proceeding;

   7. and/or for legal or regulatory actions against a professional;

   8. and/or upon the issuance of a court order or lawfully issued subpoena; 

   9. and/or where otherwise legally required. 

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FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT OUTSIDE SESSIONS: 

1. It is stated that in case the Client comes across the Counsellor, within social circumstances, the Counsellor will refrain from forming any form of contact with the Client. This is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the Client.

2. Alternatively, if the Client initiates any form of communication within such social circumstances, the Counsellor may respond appropriately and in a professional manner.

3. It is stated that if circumstances arise, whereby the Client and the Counsellor are part of the same social or professional group, the Counsellor has the right to withdraw from such a Client-Counsellor relationship.  

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DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT:

1. It is stated that the Organization keeps confidential records of the Client. The records being stored with the Organization are made accessible to authorised personnel only. The information may be used anonymously to produce practice statistics and to improve the services of the Organization.

2. Information collected by the Counsellor may be termed as sensitive information, which includes but is not limited to gender, sexuality, racial or ethnical origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, physical or mental health, relationship, sexual life, criminal proceedings and convictions. Personal and sensitive data provided by the Client is being used to provide services of the highest quality to the Client.

3. Presently, as per policy, the Organization holds records for up to a year before securely destroying it. The destruction takes place as per the Guidelines on the Destruction of Sensitive Information.

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It is noted that in an event of turning digital, the Organization will hold records for a total of 3 years before destroying them securely.

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