Testimonials
I may contact you by email after your therapy has ended to ask for a testimonial. This could be a brief written statement about your experience of working with me or, if you prefer, you can send me a video.
This helpful for me because other people often get comfort from the experiences of those in similar situations.
However, there is absolutely no obligation for you to provide this.
If you do choose to provide a testimonial, it will be published on my website and may be used in promoting my services. I am happy to protect your identity (for example, by using just your initials alongside the testimonial) but if I am asked to verify the testimonials I publish, for example, by the Advertising Standards Agency, I may have to reveal your name and contact details. This is the only information that would be shared in response to this sort of request, your therapy notes would remain private.
Updated 17.8.23 to clarify the use of testimonials
Social Media
Most businesses encourage their clients and customers to connect with them and discuss their products on social media and discussion forums. It’s a bit different for therapists because we have rules about confidentiality which prevent us from discussing your personal issues in public.
I have accounts with social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, which are used for business purposes.
You are welcome to like my Facebook business page, follow any of my other social media business pages, and read and share the articles and comments there. You may leave general comments and questions but remember that anything you post is visible to everyone who visits the page. If you want to ask anything specific to you please contact me* privately. If I feel any posts you have made blur the line of our professional relationship or identify you as a client, I will delete them.
It is not a regular part of my practice to search for clients online, via search engines or social media. One exception to this might be if one of the Duty of Care provisions applied. These are explained on my GDPR page.
*Please note that email and social media messaging services are not completely secure or confidential. Messages you send me are automatically kept in the logs of your own computer and mine. Although in practice it seems unlikely, in theory, they could be read by the system administrator. With this in mind, it’s best not to use email to send any information that should be kept private. Any emails you send me that refer to your therapy will be printed and kept in your confidential records.
If you have concerns about my services, I hope that you will bring your feelings and reactions to our work directly into the sessions. If you are not comfortable discussing it with me, you can always contact my professional body, the General Hypnotherapy Register, which oversees the way I work.
None of this is meant to keep you from sharing that you are in therapy with me wherever and with whomever you like. Confidentiality means that I cannot tell people that you are my client, but you are more than welcome to tell anyone you wish that I’m your therapist. Or how you feel about the treatment I provided to you.
And I welcome recommendations (‘word-of-mouth’ referrals) if you think I can help someone you know.