Consent and Information Sharing Policy

Helen Ward Therapy
Trading name of ResolvedRM Ltd

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 30/05/26
Review Date: 30/05/27

1. Purpose

Helen Ward Therapy is committed to ensuring that clients are able to make informed decisions about engaging in therapy and that consent is obtained, respected and reviewed throughout the therapeutic relationship.

Consent is regarded as an ongoing process rather than a single event. Clients have the right to receive sufficient information about therapy to enable them to make informed choices, ask questions and participate actively in decisions relating to their care.

This policy has been developed in accordance with:

UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR);
Data Protection Act 2018;
BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions;
applicable legal and professional guidance.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

prospective clients;
current clients;
former clients where relevant;
children and young people where therapy is offered;
parents or those with parental responsibility where applicable.

3. Principles of Consent

Helen Ward Therapy believes that consent should always be:

informed;
voluntary;
freely given;
specific where appropriate;
based upon sufficient information;
capable of being reviewed throughout therapy.

Clients are encouraged to ask questions at any stage of the therapeutic relationship and to discuss any concerns regarding therapy, confidentiality or the way in which information is managed.

4. Informed Consent to Therapy

Before therapy begins, clients will normally receive information regarding:

the nature of therapy;
the therapist's qualifications and professional registration;
the therapist's way of working;
confidentiality and its limits;
fees and cancellation arrangements;
data protection and privacy;
record keeping;
online therapy (where applicable);
safeguarding responsibilities;
complaints procedures;
relevant practice policies.

Therapy will normally begin only once the client has had the opportunity to consider this information and has indicated their agreement to proceed.

Informed consent is reviewed throughout therapy whenever there are significant changes to the therapeutic work or the circumstances in which therapy is provided.

5. Consent During Therapy

Consent remains an ongoing process throughout the therapeutic relationship.

Where appropriate, Helen Ward Therapy will discuss and seek agreement before:

introducing significant changes to the therapeutic approach;
using particular therapeutic interventions where explanation is appropriate;
changing the method of delivery (for example, moving between face-to-face and online sessions);
involving another professional where this is appropriate;
sharing information where client consent is required.

Clients remain free to ask questions, decline particular interventions or discuss concerns at any stage of therapy.

6. Consent and Data Protection

Consent to therapy should not be confused with consent under data protection legislation.

Helen Ward Therapy processes personal information in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Most personal information processed for the purpose of providing therapy is processed under lawful bases other than consent, including where processing is necessary for the provision of therapeutic services and the fulfilment of professional and legal obligations.

Where consent is relied upon as the lawful basis for a specific activity, clients will be informed accordingly and may withdraw that consent where legally applicable.

Further information is available in the Practice Privacy Policy.

7. Special Category Data

Therapy involves the processing of Special Category Data relating to health and mental wellbeing.

Such information will only be processed where there is an appropriate lawful basis and a relevant condition for processing under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Processing is limited to what is necessary for the safe, ethical and effective provision of therapy.

8. Information Sharing

Helen Ward Therapy is committed to protecting client confidentiality.

Confidential information will only be disclosed where:

required by law;
authorised by law;
there is a safeguarding concern;
there is a serious risk of harm;
another legal or professional obligation applies.

Where client consent is required before information is shared, consent will be informed, specific and appropriately documented.

Helen Ward Therapy does not prepare or provide reports, letters, statements, opinions, assessments, references or other written documentation for third parties or for use by clients for external purposes, except where required by law.

9. Online Therapy

Where therapy is provided online, clients will be provided with information regarding:

confidentiality;
technological limitations;
security considerations;
client responsibilities;
procedures for technical difficulties;
emergency arrangements where appropriate.

Participation in online therapy indicates acceptance of these arrangements.

10. Children and Young People

Where therapy is offered to children or young people, consent arrangements will be considered individually, taking account of:

age;
maturity;
understanding;
parental responsibility;
legal requirements;
professional guidance.

Appropriate agreements will be established with both the young person (where appropriate) and those with parental responsibility regarding confidentiality, information sharing and the therapeutic process.

11. Withdrawal of Consent

Clients may withdraw consent for specific activities where consent is the lawful basis for processing or where consent relates to participation in a particular aspect of therapy.

Withdrawal of consent will not affect any processing that has already been carried out lawfully.

Where another lawful basis applies, Helen Ward Therapy may continue to process information where permitted or required by law.

A client may choose to end therapy at any time, subject to any contractual arrangements regarding appointments and fees.

12. Capacity to Consent

Helen Ward Therapy will take reasonable steps to ensure that clients are able to provide informed consent.

Where questions arise regarding a person's capacity to consent, appropriate professional, ethical and legal guidance will be followed before therapy proceeds.

13. Recording Consent

Where appropriate, Helen Ward Therapy may record:

informed consent to therapy;
consent to online therapy;
discussions regarding confidentiality;
consent for information sharing where required;
withdrawal or amendment of consent.

This documentation supports safe, ethical and accountable practice.

14. Responsibilities

Helen Ward Therapy is responsible for:

providing sufficient information to support informed decision-making;
respecting client autonomy;
reviewing consent throughout therapy;
documenting consent where appropriate.

Clients are responsible for:

reading the information provided or directed to;
asking questions where clarification is required;
informing Helen Ward Therapy of any changes that may affect consent or the therapeutic process;
raising concerns if they no longer feel able to continue therapy on the agreed basis.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where required by changes to legislation, professional guidance or practice procedures.