Privacy Policy

How Will My Data Be Stored?

In May 2018 the Data Protection Act was replaced by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Jenny Mellenchip is GDPR registered. The changes to the Data Protection Act are aimed at ensuring that your personal, confidential and sometimes sensitive data, is held privately and securely. This means that any data you give to Jenny must be processed in a way that you agree with. GDPR exists to protect your rights as a consumer. It applies to your identifiable data, e.g. your name and address & any reason you might have for visiting Jenny. It also covers any session records, text messages or emails between Jenny and yourself.

How Long Will You Hold My Information For?

Jenny is a member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). As such she is bound by their regulations regarding the length of time she must hold onto your information. The CNCHC insists that Jenny must hold onto your data for 8 years after your final session. However, the rule for children is different and the CNHC stipulates that their data must be held until their 25th birthday.  The exception to this rule applies to young adults whose treatment ends when they are 17 years old when Jenny must keep their records until they reach their 26th birthday. Client records will be destroyed in the January after the dates given above. This is in line with NHS regulations for holding data.

What If I Would Like My Data To Be Destroyed Before This Date?

For legal reasons, data collected by Jenny during your sessions cannot be deleted until the dates referred to in the section above.

Am I Able To See Or Get A Copy Of The Information Held By You?

In line with GDPR, if you send Jenny a request in writing, specifying the data you wish to see, she will supply you with a copy of your data within 30 days. Jenny will need to confirm your identity before sending you the information. There will be no charge for this service. NB. Jenny’s insurance company’s legal team may wish to verify any information she sends out.

What Are Your Reasons For Collecting This Information?

 Jenny is keen to offer the highest quality support to her clients and in order to do so she will collect the following information:

  • An idea of what you would like to achieve by coming for hypnotherapy,
  • A small amount of medical information
  • Some brief session notes
  • Your contact details
  • GP contact details
  • MyCaw research data
  • Some basic information about your important others

This information allows Jenny to provide continuity within the sessions, in order to help you towards your goal. This information will allow Jenny to refer to the content of earlier sessions and previous discussions. Jenny will only use your contact details/address and GP’s details with your explicit consent. See client agreement and initial consultation sheet. The MyCaw research programme collects unidentifiable information for the purposes of producing scientifically measured outcomes for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy.

How Do I Know That Jenny Will Store My Information Securely?

  • Paper session notes – Jenny stores all paperwork within locked cabinets.
  • Text messages – Jenny’s work phone is secured with fingerprint recognition or a passcode.
  • Emails – Jenny’s email account requires a user name and password.
  • MyCaw research data – accessed via a randomly authenticated passcode on a laptop protected by facial recognition.

Are Our Discussions Within The Hypnotherapy Sessions Confidential?

Everything you discuss with Jenny during your sessions remains strictly confidential. Occasionally it may be necessary for Jenny to discuss elements of your sessions with her supervisor to ensure that she is helping you in the most effective way. However, no identifying features about you will be disclosed during these discussions. Jenny’s supervisor is also registered with GDPR.

What If I See Jenny Outside Of A Hypnotherapy Session?

Jenny is obligated by GDPR to protect your confidentiality at all times. So, for this reason, although she may acknowledge you, it would be ideal if any further conversation could be avoided.  However, if you wish to discuss your therapy with other people, that is your choice and you are welcome to do so.

Will Jenny Discuss Information About Me With Other Health And Social Care Professionals?

Jenny is only able to contact other health and social care professionals with your written consent. Should she write to your GP, to notify them that you have entered into a therapeutic relationship with her, or to notify them that your therapy has been satisfactorily concluded, Jenny would require your signature in line with GDPR requirements. Jenny does have a “Duty of Care” towards her clients, so the only exceptions to this would be if she believed that you were about to harm yourself or others. Should this occur then Jenny would be required to inform the relevant authorities”. However, Jenny would always aim to discuss this with you before taking any action. Legally, Jenny would also have to provide the police with information as set out in a warrant or court order, should the situation arise.

Who Is The Data Controller And What Is Their ICO Registration Number?

Data Controller is Jenny Mellenchip, Room 2, Stem Cell Clinics, 13 Lichfield Road, Stafford ST17 4 JX. This policy was last updated 6th March 2024. It may be updated at any time, so please check back regularly to ensure that you’re aware of the latest version. Please note that the cookie policy for www.jennymellenchip.co.uk is available to view on this website under a separate document, by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

ICO Registration number: ZA750718