User privacy

Dear Counselling is committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of our users’ personal and confidential information. We understand the importance of maintaining trust and respect for our users’ privacy, and we are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for our users to access our services. We are committed to protecting your personal information and want to ensure that you are fully aware of how we collect, use, and disclose your personal data. Please take the time to read this policy carefully to understand our practices and procedures.

Confidentiality Policy

We maintain the confidentiality of our users’ personal and confidential information in accordance with the highest standards of professional ethics and laws. We do not disclose or share any information about our users without their explicit consent, unless there is a threat to their own or someone’s life, required by law or legal proceedings.

We collect and process personal information about our users, including but not limited to:

Contact information: name, email address, physical address and phone number.
Demographic information: age, gender, location and language.
Counselling session information: dates, times, and topics discussed during sessions.
Communication data: emails, messages, and chat logs.
Usage data: browsing history, search queries, and interactions with our website.

We maintain the confidentiality of this information at all times, and we do not share it with any third parties without the explicit consent of the user.

User Rights

Our users have the right to:

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information to our counselors and therapists who provide services to you.
We may disclose your personal information to law enforcement agencies or government agencies in response to a lawful request or legal matter.
We may disclose personal information to emergency contacts when necessary to prevent imminent threat to our own or someone else’s life or serious harm.
We may disclose the personal information, If the therapist believes that the client is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, they will take steps to ensure the client's safety and well-being. The therapist's primary concern is the client's health and safety.
We may disclose your personal information, If the client discloses information about abuse or neglect of a child, an elderly person, or someone who is defenseless, the therapist is legally required to report this information to the appropriate authorities. The therapist understands that this can be a difficult conversation, but it is essential to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
In a group counseling setting, the therapist will maintain confidentiality for all group members. However, it's important for clients to understand that group members may not also maintain confidentiality. The therapist will do everything possible to ensure that group members understand the importance of confidentiality and will work with clients to address any concerns.

User policy for Minors (Under 18 years)

As a minor (under the age of 18) receiving mental health treatment from us, please be aware that your parents/guardians have the right to access your treatment records. We will generally share information about our work together with them, unless we believe there is a significant risk of harm to yourself or others. Before sharing any information, we will discuss it with you and respect your objections. A letter of consent from a legal adult may also be required, which may or may not be your parent.

Security Measures

Consent to treatment

We’ll share a consent form with you before starting therapy, which is a mutual agreement between you and Dear Counselling.

By signing this consent form, you are agreeing to receive mental health services from Dear Counselling. You understand that we will work together to create a personalized plan for you, and that you can stop treatment at any time. Our therapists will prioritize your well-being and safety above all else. In order to ensure a comfortable and respectful environment, we reserve the right to discontinue therapy if you engage in behavior that makes us feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This is an essential step in creating a safe and supportive space for our work together.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, or legal requirements without any prior notice.

User Privacy