All information within the client and therapist relationship is held in strict confidence and no information is made available to others in any form what’s so ever

I do not record conversations and only keep the very basic information; this information is kept encrypted and secure and can only viewed by me. My computer has the very latest security software that includes a fire wall and no information I keep is left unencrypted or available to others, one back up disk is encrypted and locked away

Client confidentiality is strictly recognized as imperative: there is no routine circumstance where your confidentiality would not be unconditional.

All therapists are required to seek supervision and in some cases your problem my be discussed with another therapist but no identifiable information is disclosed. Your personal information will be kept totally confidential. Supervision is essential for both your well being and that of the therapist.

There can be some exceptional cases when confidentiality cannot be kept: where you could be a danger to yourself, or to others. In such unusual circumstances, you would be informed that I am required to take appropriate action in passing that information on. Therapists are required by law to report suspected child abuse or serious neglect to the appropriate authorities.

What you need to know regarding confidentiality

Confidentiality is of paramount importance to the client therapist relationship, online therapy is no different to any other way of delivering therapy in that confidentiality has to be safe guarded as far as it is possible to do so.

Some of the safe guards I use and necessary for counsellors providing therapy online is:

An effective fire wall and virus / spy ware program

A computer that is restricted to providing the online services and not used for general surfing of the Internet or sending and receiving e-mails.

Effective encryption software that provides security against theft of data that stops others from seeing the data if stolen. The software may encrypt files, directories, and drives using methods that make it useless to anyone else trying to see the information.

Use communication programs or hardware that is considered compatible with confidentiality, telephones are not 100 % secure but are considered safe to use and are used for confidential communications like talking to Doctors and family etc and as such are considered safe to make use of.

Programs like Voip (voice over Internet protocol) applications like skype that use encrypted communications are also considered safe to use in this area.

The client needs to be aware that no communication can be 100% secure and they also have the need to install fire walls and other security programs that detect viruses and spy ware to safe guard their computers from data theft.

Any recordings of online sessions with the therapist you make must be encrypted to stop breaches of confidentiality i.e., if the computer is stolen or other people have access to it.