Confidentiality is the foundation of counselling. Everything you share is kept private, in line with the IACP Code of Ethics & Practice, GDPR, and Irish law.

1. What is confidential

The content of every session.
That you are a client (unless you tell someone else).
Your personal, health, and contact information.
Any notes or records held about you.

2. Clinical supervision

All IACP-accredited therapists are required to work under regular clinical supervision. Cases are discussed anonymously — your identity and identifying details are not shared. The supervisor is bound by the same confidentiality obligations.

3. Limits of confidentiality

Confidentiality may need to be broken in the following limited circumstances:

Risk of serious harm. If there is a real and imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or to another person.
Safeguarding. Where there is reasonable concern that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk — reported in accordance with Children First Act 2015.
Legal obligation. Where required by a court order or under statute (e.g. reporting of certain offences under the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012).

Wherever possible, we will discuss any need to share information with you before doing so.

4. Records

Brief factual notes are kept from each session, in line with IACP standards. See the Privacy Policy for storage, retention and your rights of access.

5. Contacting you outside of sessions

We contact you only in the way you have chosen (email, phone or SMS) and only about your care. We will not use your data for marketing unless you opt in.

6. Questions

If anything here is unclear, please raise it with Linda in your first session — or in advance at linda@timetochange.ie.