Privacy & General T&Cs
Privacy Policy
Introduction -
Bristow Psychotherapy is committed to protecting your privacy, is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and is fully compliant with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This policy explains how your personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit our website or engage our services.
Data We Collect -
We collect personal data that you provide when contacting us via the website, email, telephone, or other channels, including your name, email address, and telephone number. Where you engage our therapeutic or assessment services, we also collect and hold sensitive personal information - known as special category data under UK GDPR - relating to your physical and mental health. This information is collected directly from you in the course of our professional relationship.
Lawful Basis for Processing -
We process your personal data on the following lawful bases:
Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)): to provide you with the services you have requested. Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)): for example, responding to enquiries and managing our practice. Health care provision (Article 9(2)(h)): where we process special category data, including health and mental health information, as part of the provision of psychological therapy, assessment, or related professional services.
Use of Data -
Your personal data is used solely to provide our services and communicate with you about those services. As a clinical practitioner, we are required to maintain session notes and clinical records. We do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances: where required by law, for example by a court order or under our safeguarding obligations; for the purposes of clinical supervision, which your practitioner undertakes as required by professional standards - information shared in supervision is anonymised wherever possible and is subject to strict confidentiality obligations; or where you have given your explicit consent because your service involves a multiple-disciplinary team across other organisations, including and not limited to Autism Assessment Centre and the NHS.
Data Retention -
Clinical records are retained for a minimum of seven years following the conclusion of a therapeutic or professional relationship, or for seven years after a minor client reaches the age of 18, in line with professional guidance. Website (and telephone/email) enquiry data that does not lead to a professional engagement is retained for no longer than 24 months.
Cookies -
Our website uses cookies to improve your experience, managed by our website provider, Wix, and subject to change. These cookies may collect data about your browsing activity but do not personally identify you. You can disable cookies through your browser settings.
Data Security -
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or destruction. Clinical records are held securely. Please be aware, however, that data transmitted over the internet is not completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of information sent to or from our website and organisation.
Data Transfers -
Your personal data is held within the UK. Where third-party services - such as video conferencing platforms used for online sessions - involve data processing outside the UK, we take steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.
Your Rights -
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access, correct, or request erasure of your personal data; to restrict or object to its processing; and to data portability. Please note that some of these rights may be limited where we hold a legal or professional obligation to retain records. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at contact@bristowpsychotherapy.com.
How to complain -
If you have any concerns about the use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me at BristowPsychotherapy@gmail.com. I will send you a written acknowledgement within 30 days, make every effort to resolve the matter within three months and inform you of the outcome.
As required by the law, I will keep a record of your complaint for six years.
You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how I have used your data or if you are not happy with how I have attempted to resolve your complaint. Contact them at:
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113. ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk
Changes to this Policy -
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and you are encouraged to review it periodically. Enquiries and engagements of services represent an acceptance of our current privacy and general policies.
General Terms and Conditions
Introduction -
By using the Bristow Psychotherapy website, you agree to comply with the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use this website or our services.
Use of Website -
This website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of all information presented, we do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy.
Intellectual Property -
All content on this website, including text, images, and logos, is the property of Bristow Psychotherapy unless otherwise stated. You may not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use any content from this website without our prior written consent.
Limitation of Liability -
Bristow Psychotherapy is not liable for any damages arising from the use or inability to use this website. This includes, but is not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, and consequential damages.
External Links -
This website may contain links to external websites. Bristow Psychotherapy is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those external sites.
Governing Law -
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from the use of this website will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Changes to Terms -
We may update these terms and conditions at any time. Your continued use of the website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
Contact Information -
If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us at contact@bristowpsychotherapy.com.
Online Therapy: Terms and Conditions
Introduction -
Bristow Psychotherapy offers therapeutic and assessment sessions conducted via secure video conferencing. By agreeing to participate in online sessions, you accept the specific terms set out in this section, which apply in addition to the General Terms and Conditions above.
Platform and Security -
Online sessions are conducted using a secure video conferencing platform. We take reasonable steps to ensure that any platform we use meets appropriate standards for confidentiality and data protection. However, as with all internet-based communication, absolute security cannot be guaranteed, and by engaging in online sessions you accept this inherent limitation.
No Recording Policy -
Neither the practitioner nor the client may record any part of an online session, by any means whatsoever, without the explicit written consent of the other party obtained in advance of the session. This applies to audio recording, video recording, screenshotting, and any other form of capture or transcription, including the use of AI-based note-taking or transcription tools.
Recording a therapy session without consent is likely to constitute a breach of the other party's rights under UK GDPR where the recording constitutes personal data, and will constitute a serious breach of the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationship. A breach of this condition may result in the immediate termination of the therapeutic relationship without refund of any session fees paid in advance.
If you are unsure whether a recording feature on your device is active, please check before the session begins. Please also be aware that some operating systems and applications may enable automatic transcription by default; it is your responsibility to ensure that any such features are disabled before joining a session.
Your Environment -
You are responsible for ensuring that you are in a private, safe, and confidential space for each online session. Specifically, this means being in a location where you cannot be overheard by others; using a personal device rather than a shared or workplace device wherever possible; ensuring that no third party is present during the session unless this has been explicitly discussed and agreed with your practitioner in advance; and connecting via a secure, private internet connection rather than a public or shared Wi-Fi network. Your practitioner will take equivalent steps to protect the confidentiality of their own environment.
Technical Difficulties -
If the connection is lost during a session, both parties should attempt to reconnect using the same platform. If reconnection is not possible within a reasonable time, your practitioner will contact you by telephone on the number you have provided. Time lost to technical failure will be dealt with at your practitioner's reasonable discretion, taking into account the nature and extent of the disruption. Bristow Psychotherapy is not responsible for connection failures arising from your own internet service or equipment.
Suitability of Online Therapy -
Online therapy is not appropriate for all clients or all clinical presentations. Your practitioner will discuss with you at the outset whether online working is clinically suitable in your situation, and this may be reviewed over time. Bristow Psychotherapy reserves the right to recommend a transition to in-person sessions where this is considered to be in your clinical interest.
Location -
Online sessions are ordinarily offered to clients located within the United Kingdom. If you are located outside the United Kingdom at the time of a session, you must inform your practitioner in advance, as this may affect professional obligations and the appropriateness of continuing to work online. Bristow Psychotherapy cannot accept responsibility for any regulatory requirements applicable in jurisdictions outside England and Wales.
Crisis and Safeguarding -
Online therapy has inherent limitations in situations of acute crisis. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the emergency services (999), NHS 111, or the Samaritans (116 123) rather than waiting for a scheduled session. Where relevant, your practitioner will discuss a safety plan with you.
Your practitioner's professional safeguarding obligations apply equally during online sessions. Where there is a concern for the safety of yourself or another person, your practitioner may be required to take action, including contacting relevant statutory services, even where this involves disclosure of information ordinarily held in confidence.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us at contact@bristowpsychotherapy.com.