What To Expect And Other
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Counselling?

Therapy provides a safe and confidential space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. Your therapist will help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and of others. Your therapist will be impartial but understanding. They will listen to you without judgment and help you explore your thoughts and emotions. They may offer information, but they won’t tell you what you should think or do.

Counselling can take different forms depending on your needs and what type of therapy may be suitable. Most therapy takes place in planned, regular sessions which last for around 50 minutes. How often you see your therapist and how many appointments you have will depend on your individual circumstances, and will be agreed between you and your therapist.

A counsellor will not give you their opinions or advice or prescribe medication. They will help you find your own solutions – whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems (BACP).

What should I expect at the first appointment?

Making that leap to the booking the first session can be a huge step and can feel daunting. At the first session I will endeavour to make it as relaxed and welcoming environment as possible.

There are some important steps that I need to cover in the first session and therefore the first session can feel a little more structured than those going forward. In the first session I will do:

Introductions
Your therapist should spend a few minutes introducing themselves and explaining how they work. You can ask them about their qualifications and experience, your therapy or anything you’re not sure about. Your therapist will want to make sure you feel at ease by sorting out basic things like where you would like to sit, and whether you use first names or are more formal.
Assessment
Your therapist may ask you if you would like to give a history of the problems you’re experiencing. They might want you to complete some forms, or go through information they’ve received about you, such as a letter from your GP. Or they may just ask you to ‘tell your story’. It’s important that you feel you’ve had the opportunity to tell the therapist about what’s troubling you.
Contracting
Your therapist should agree the terms, or contract with you, about how they will provide their services. This may be either a verbal agreement or a printed document for you both to sign.

This first session is important for making sure that you feel comfortable with your therapist and their way of working. You don’t have to continue with a therapist if you can’t relate to them or don’t feel safe. (BACP)

What are your fees?

Counselling: £45 per 50 minute session

Supervision: £60 per 90 minute session

Training: Price on discussion of needs, approximately £500 for a full day or £300 per half day.

What training do you offer?

Working with Trauma. Including vicarious trauma and burnout
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Wellbeing at Work
Child and Adolescent Wellbeing
Creative Therapy

GDPR?

GDPR Privacy Notice

Introduction

It is very important in the therapeutic relationship that you trust that your details are kept securely and have information as to what happens to them during and after therapy.

This privacy notice discusses your contact details and any notes made during and after any sessions that we have together.

It is important that you read the policy carefully and contact with any questions or concerns about my privacy practices.

Who we are?

Rachel McAuley is the data controller for Rachel McAuley Talking Therapies.

What information do we collect?

Name, date of birth, address, contact details e.g. telephone, email, next of kin (for emergency purposes).

I, Rachel McAuley, collect data through the client contract for self-referrals and any referrals from insurance companies or other sources of referral that you will have agreed, previously with the referrer, to be given.

I, Rachel McAuley, will only be processing personal data e.g. any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. I will not be processing any sensitive personal data e.g. data consisting of racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, biometric data, data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

How do we use personal information?

Delivering marketing and events communication e.g. for your information only.

Providing a service.

Legal obligations e.g. BABCP professional ethics

Account set up and details e.g. for contact between sessions.

Sending previously discussed information to you.

What legal basis do we have for processing your personal data?

The following are the relevant processing conditions contained within the GDPR.

Consent e.g. any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which they, by statement or by clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to them. You can withdraw your consent at any time.

Contract e.g. a written contract will be supplied every time that I, Rachel McAuley, employ a processor to process personal data.

Legitimate interests e.g. a clearly articulated benefit to a single company or to society, that can be derived from processing personal data, without consent, in a legal way e.g. your or another person’s/group safety.

Vital interests e.g. in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person.

Legal obligation e.g. as a controller, Rachel McAuley, is required to maintain records of personal data and processing activities. Rachel McAuley will have legal liability, if she is responsible for a breach of your private information.

When do we share personal data?

There are very few circumstances that I would need to share your personal data and this would usually be with your consent e.g. GP, crisis team. However, I may need to contact the police, if you are committing or have admitted to committing a crime. Your data will only be shared as a duty of care towards yourself or any other natural person.

Where do we store and process personal data?

I, Rachel McAuley store your personal data in a locked filing cabinet, as agreed under GDPR 2018. My supervisor is aware of the location of the key, in such circumstances that I am unable to access the information e.g. illness or death. I also keep electronic notes via a web based confidential application specifically for healthcare professionals called Writeupp.

How do we secure personal data?

I, Rachel McAuley, will keep your personal mobile number on my password protected work mobile and this will be removed one month after cessation of service e.g. discharge or cancellation.

I, Rachel McAuley, will keep any written material in a locked filing cabinet that only I have access to unless in certain circumstances e.g. illness or death, that my supervisor will need access.

How long do we keep your personal data for?

Your personal data will be kept for 7 years, after discharge and then destroyed e.g. cross shredded. Any other information e.g. text, email, telephone number will be deleted after one month of no contact or discharge.

Your rights in relation to personal data

Under the GDPR, I must respect the right of data subjects to access and control their personal data. Data subjects have certain rights in respect of:

Access to personal information – this would be whilst in a session.

Correction and deletion – this would be agreed whilst in session.

Withdrawal of consent (if processing data on condition of consent)

Data portability – your data will be removed from the filing cabinet and transported to the office, where the therapeutic session will take place, in a padlocked case or transported via password protected confidential laptop and information is kept on a secure confidential web based application called Writeupp.

Lodging a complaint with BACP, if not satisfied with protection of your data.

If you require to see any information that I hold then this will be agreed and activated whilst in the therapeutic session. There may be times when data subject rights may be limited, eg if fulfilling the data subject request may expose personal data about another person, this information will be redacted before you are able to view the information held.

Use of automated decision-making and profiling

This is not relevant to information held within Rachel McAuley Therapy.

How to contact us?

Data subject can get in touch if they have questions or concerns about privacy practices, personal information, or if you wish to file a complaint. Please contact verbally, via email rachelmcauley.counselling@gmail.com or telephone 07592 263 639

Linking to other websites / third party content

Any links to external sites and resources from Rachel McAuley Therapy website does not constitute endorsement, and Rachel McAuley Therapy take no responsibility for the content (or information contained within) any linked website.