Sharon Dyke, Hypnotherapist in Taunton
Sharon Dyke
Solution Focused Hypnotherapist in Taunton
T: 07766 250 113

Data protection and privacy policy 

I will not disclose users’ information to third parties unless legally bound to do, for example there is an identified risk to the client and/or others. I will process your personal data for the purposes of maintaining my client list and contacting you in future. Data collected by us site is used to:

  • Contact you in response to an enquiry
  • Administer and enhance my web site and service
  • Allow you to ‘opt in’ to my newsletter

All data that I hold on you will be stored securely for a period of 8 years in accordance with the CNHC guidelines.

It is my policy not to transfer data to any other organisation. I have a private mailing list with Mailchimp to enable me to send out newsletters, however this list is password protected with a two-factor authentication for my sole use only. There is also an unsubscribe button of the bottom of each newsletter which will stop any further contact via email.

I hold a professional will with my Clinical supervisor, so that if anything should happen to me, your personal data is safe, and will be disposed of correctly.

In order to ensure continued best practice, I receive regular clinical supervision of my work with clients.  During supervision it may be necessary to review your therapy but any reference that could allow you to be identified is removed.

You have a right to request to see any data that I hold on you. The request must be in writing, and you must allow 20 working days for a response to this request.

If you would prefer that I cease to send you further information about Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy, simply send an email to info@sharondhypnotherap.co.uk or write to:

Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy
59 Priorswood Road
Taunton
Somerset TA2 7PS

Online therapy sessions policy

If you are having online therapy sessions with me, please download, read, sign and return the following document, thank you:

Online therapy sessions policy (Word)

Online therapy sessions policy (PDF)

Cancellation policy

I’m sure you will appreciate my service is in great demand and currently I hold a waiting list for appointments. With this in mind, the following cancellation policy applies:

  • A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for rescheduling or cancelling sessions to enable me to offer the appointment to another client.
  • All cancellations should be made verbally via telephone, regrettably email or text messages cannot be accepted.
  • Same day cancellation, forgotten or missed appointments will be charged in full.

If this policy is not adhered to, you risk being charged for the full session.

Email and text messaging Information

If you choose to correspond with me through email or text, I may retain the content of your email or text messages together with your email address and phone number and our responses. I provide the same protections for these electronic communications that I employ in the maintenance of information received online, mail and telephone.

How do I use the information that you provide to me?

Broadly speaking, I use personal information for purposes of administering my business activities, providing customer service and making available other items and services to my customers and prospective customers.

I will not obtain personally-identifying information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information to me, nor will such information be sold or otherwise transferred to unaffiliated third parties without the approval of the user at the time of collection.

I may use software programs to create summary statistics, which are used for such purposes as assessing the number of visitors to the different sections of our site, what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, I use software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage, in addition I use software to monitor client progress.

I may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when I, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy

While we are happy to work with children from 8 years old and upwards, there are some protective conditions in place. Children are not eligible to use my web site and I ask that minors (under the age of 16) do not submit any personal information to me. If you are a minor, you can use this site only in conjunction with permission and guidance from your parents or guardians. Any consultations must be carried out with a parent or guardian present and any subsequent sessions will be conducted with the parent or guardian on the premises. I have an up to date enhanced DBS certificate.

Complaints policy

Most complaints can be sorted out at once by discussing them with the therapist so I ask that you do this first, although I realise that in some circumstances you might prefer to contact the CNHC straight away.

You have to complain in writing using the complaint form on the CNHCs website, www.chnc.org.uk.If this is a problem you can ask someone to fill it in for you. Or you can contact the CNHC by phoning 020 3668 0406 and they will do their best to arrange for someone to help you. Please note any legal disputes will be investigated and concluded under English Law only. 

How I protect your information, and secure information transmissions

Email is not recognised as a secure medium of communication. For this reason, I request that you do not send private information to me by email. However, doing so is allowed, but at your own risk. Some of the information you may enter on my website may be transmitted securely via a secure medium known as Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL. Information sent via my contacts page assumes that you are happy for me to use the information given for me to contact you.

Policy changes

I reserve the right to amend this privacy policy at any time with or without notice. However, please be assured that if the Privacy Policy changes in the future, I will not use the personal information you have submitted to me in a manner that is materially inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, without your prior consent.

I am committed to conducting our business in accordance with these principles in order to ensure that the confidentiality of personal information is protected and maintained.

Use of cookies

When accessing our Website, we will learn certain information about you during your visit.

Similar to other commercial websites, my website utilises a standard technology called “cookies” and web server logs to collect information about how our website is used. Information gathered through cookies and web server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our website, and the websites visited just before and just after our web site, your IP address.

I also employ analytical cookies in order to provide meaningful reports about our site visitors. These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and see how visitors move around the site. This information helps me to improve the way my website works. However, these cookies do not collect personal data about you. You can turn off cookies by blocking them in your browser, but this may mean that some functions of the website will no longer work.

Privacy settings

My website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you use these links please be aware that you have left my website, I do not have any control over other websites. We cannot therefore be held responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide when visiting such sites and these sites are not governed by my privacy policy. I advise therefore that you exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Social media sites such as Facebook collect analytical data about you, and they will hold their own data protection laws relating to this. I only use Social media to post articles that I feel my audience will find of interest, and to answer any queries that come through messenger. Messages will be stored on Facebook until the query/question has been resolved, and then deleted.

Covid 19 declaration

The aim of this declaration is to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect both therapist and client.

You are recommended, in the first instance, to follow Government guidelines which can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you have any of the following symptoms, please contact your therapist to reschedule or change to an online appointment.

  • a high temperature– this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough– this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste– this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you have recently returned from overseas from any of the high-risk areas listed on the government website within the last 14 days you are advised to self-isolate. This may mean that you will need to postpone your face to face appointment with me or arrange an online session. Please contact me for further details.

If you sit within one of the high-risk groups, I would recommend you have online sessions with me until further notice.

I will undertake full infection control measures in my clinic. However, if you are not 100% comfortable attending your appointment in person I will be happy to move to online at short notice. 

Please use hand sanitiser on arrival, and please feel free to bring a mask if you would like to wear one during our session. The 1 metre + social distancing rule will be in place in my clinic, but I am happy to wear a mask too if requested.

Please use the bathroom before arriving for your appointment.

Please bring your own bottle of water to the appointment as refreshments cannot be provided.

As an extra layer of protection during this time I will not be shaking hands or using the GSR monitor on your fingers.

The use of couch paper will be used for each client as additional infection control measures.

Please arrive for your appointment at the exact time agreed, to allow for cleaning between clients to take place and ventilation of the room.

Avoid crossing other clients on the steps and path leading up to the clinic.

Individuals waiting to pick up or drop off a client to their session must remain in their own vehicle or outside the premises in the open air, whilst observing social distancing.

Individuals to attend appointments on their own, unless they are a parent attending with a client who is a minor. In such circumstances, only one adult from the household should attend with the minor. 

Payments where possible should be via bank transfer, payable no later than 30 minutes before your session.

The Government advice about COVID-19 is constantly evolving, with that in mind this information is subject to change as required.

CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE

In the event Sharon Dyke (Therapist) contracts coronavirus.

If I contract Covid-19 I will be obliged to inform the health authorities of everyone I have been in contact with. I will need to share your name and contact details, but I will not disclose the nature of our relationship. You may be contacted by the Health Authority for further details and additional contact information. By signing this agreement you are agreeing to waver your rights under GDPR.

If I become incapacitated due to Covid-19, you will be contacted by a trusted third party informing you.

Infection control policy

  • It is the aim of Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy to maintain the highest standards of infection control at all times, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. My aim is to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, clients are protected from the spread of infection.
  • In the case of an outbreak of infection I may employ a widespread use of antiseptic hand wash.
  • Clients will be asked to wear protective gloves and face coverings. Clients will be asked to wash their hands before attending an appointment.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of face coverings and disposable gloves will be provided by Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy if the client arrives without them.
  • Where necessary, I may work in collaboration with any local infection control agencies and experts such as (GP/local infection control teams) in line with the Governments track and trace guidelines.
    • Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy has a duty to ensure that the premises where clients attend their appointments are kept clean and hygienic.
      • Sharon Dyke Hypnotherapy views infection control training and supervision as a vital part of its infection control procedures. I am trained in line with content from the NICE Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections

COVID-19 Risk assessment

Please see the latest Covid-19 Risk Assessment document here

 

Contact 

If you have any questions regarding this policy, or your dealings with my website, please contact me:
sdhypnotherapy@yahoo.co.uk

or click here to use the contact me form

ICO registration number: 00045751882