Participant Confidentiality

I. Purpose 
The purpose of this Confidentiality Policy is to ensure that Parsons Counseling Training Institute protects the confidentiality and security of all participant information related to qualifying programs. This includes safeguarding the identity of participants and the information and materials submitted by participants in the course of their engagement with our continuing education programs.

II. Scope 
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and any other individuals who are involved in the creation, delivery, and administration of trainings provided by Parsons Counseling Training Institute.

III. Policy

A. Confidentiality

  1. All participant information, including personal identification details, contact information, educational records, and any materials submitted by participants, shall be treated as confidential.

  2. Participant information shall not be disclosed to any third party without the express written consent of the participant, except as required by law.

  3. Discussions that take place during training sessions, including participant contributions, shall be considered confidential and shall not be disclosed outside the session without the consent of the individuals involved.

B. Data Collection and Use

  1. Participant information will only be collected for legitimate educational and administrative purposes, such as maintaining participant records or issuing certificates of completion.

  2. Information collected will be limited to what is necessary to fulfill these purposes.

C. Data Storage and Security

  1. All electronic records containing participant information shall be stored securely with access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access the data.

  2. Physical documents containing participant information shall be stored in a secure location, with access limited to authorized personnel.

  3. All staff with access to confidential information will be trained on the importance of confidentiality and the procedures for maintaining it.

D. Data Retention and Disposal

  1. Participant information shall be retained for five years.

  2. After the retention period, all participant information shall be destroyed in a manner that maintains confidentiality, such as shredding physical documents and securely erasing electronic files.

E. Breach of Confidentiality

  1. Any unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss of participant information must be reported immediately to the designated privacy officer within Parsons Counseling Training Institute.

  2. Parsons Counseling Training Institute will investigate any such incidents promptly and take appropriate corrective action, including notifying affected participants if necessary.

F. Policy Review and Changes

  1. This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure compliance with any changes in legal or ethical standards.

  2. Any amendments to this policy will be communicated promptly to all relevant parties.

IV. Acknowledgment All individuals subject to this policy must acknowledge that they have read and understood the policy and agree to abide by its terms.

By implementing this Confidentiality Policy, Parsons Counseling Training Institute is committed to upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and privacy for our participants.