Confidentiality and GDPR

We attach the highest importance to confidentiality for all forms of communication between our Registrants and their patients.

In psychotherapy patients are invited, not just to be themselves and to reveal intimate secrets, but at times to reveal their worst. This activity can only occur in a situation in which the patient trusts there to be a high degree of neutrality and confidentiality. Any breach of confidentiality would be acutely damaging to the essential relationship between the patient and the psychoanalytic psychotherapist and a violation of the patient’s innermost thoughts, feelings, fantasies and dreams.

It is therefore important that our Registrants keep strict standards of confidentiality on all the information that their patients disclose. Our stance of confidentiality also covers written records and notes that are made about a patient. Under all circumstances, registrants must avoid identifiable disclosure of all information and material.

The relationship between the therapist and their client is primarily based on confidence.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to harmonise data protection rules across all EU member states. GDPR replaces the data protection legislation in the UK and will therefore have an impact on almost everyone.

We have put together briefing notes on confidentiality, related issues and GDPR that we hope our Registrants will find useful

Information Commissioners Office also provide detailed information and guidance on GDPR. You can also visit their website for further detailed information and updates.

Please note, we are unable to provide individual tailored advice to Registrants as the GDPR legislation is complex. We have however compiled FAQs that we hope, will be  a useful starting point. If your require further assistance you may wish to seek professional advice from a legal expert on data protection. They will be able to clarify the finer points of GDPR requirements and what it means for you. Our briefing note is an overview of the changes and should be considered as a guidance document only.

At the heart of GDPR is the protection of personal data.

We collect personal data so that we can operate effectively and provide the public and our Registrants with the best possible service. The information we collect depends on the context of your interactions with us and with our website. Registrants can find out more on how we use personal information on our website by reading our Website Privacy Policy.

 

BPC guidance confidentiality, related issues and GDPR

BPC Statement on Confidentiality
- (139 KB PDF)
Our statement on confidentiality can be read in full here
Download
BPC Guidance on Notes and Records
- (119 KB DOC)
This document is intended to assist our Registrants in maintaining proper, appropriate and confidential records of clinical work.
Download
BPC Guidelines on Writing Reports for Solicitors
- (115 KB DOC)
Solicitors sometimes ask psychotherapists for reports on patients. Find out more here.
Download
BPC Guidance on GDPR
- (2 MB PDF)
Read our GDPR Guidance in full.
Download

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Ethical framework

Our Registrants must practice in accordance with our Ethical Framework. Find out more here.
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