340 – Can Clients Ask You to Delete Their Data?

Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse – Carl Rogers’Seven Stages of Process

In Episode 340 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics:

Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, we look at the question: Can clients ask you to delete their data? – covering legal, ethical, and practical considerations.

Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Jeremy Sachs about supporting male survivors of sexual abuse, with a focus on the intersectional challenges they face and practical considerations for therapists.

And finally, in ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken explain and simplify Carl Rogers’ Seven Stages of Process, highlighting how this core theory maps client growth in therapy.

Can Clients Ask You to Delete Their Data?  [starts at 03:26 mins]

In this section, Rory and Ken address a challenging but important question: Can clients ask you to delete their data?

Key points discussed include:

• Under UK GDPR (Article 17), clients have the “right to erasure” (right to be forgotten), but it’s not absolute.
• You may decline deletion if:
  • The data is required for legal obligations, such as tax or insurance records.
  • You need the data to defend against complaints or for safeguarding purposes.
• Deleting data prematurely could leave you without a defence if a client complains later or if you are required to provide records to legal authorities or coroners.
• Good practice includes:
  • Explaining data retention policies in your contract.
  • Consulting the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) for UK-based practitioners.
  • Documenting decisions with written evidence from insurers or data protection authorities.
• Consider using a split-note system to separate identifying details from case notes.
• How long should client data be kept after therapy ends? (Commonly six years for adults, up to age 25 for children).

Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse [starts at 23:53 mins]

In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Jeremy Sachs, therapist and author of the upcoming book Masculinity Reconnected, about male sexual abuse and its often-overlooked challenges.

Key points discussed include:

• Societal silence: Male survivors often go unheard due to cultural narratives about masculinity, strength, and emotional repression.
• The role of masculinity:
  • Traditional masculinity can prevent men from seeking help.
  • Men may internalise shame and avoid vulnerability.
  • “Toxic masculinity” can further oppress male survivors.
• Intersectionality:
  • Men experience sexual abuse differently based on race, gender identity, class, or sexuality.
  • Therapists must recognise these layers when supporting clients.
• Supporting survivors:
  • Create safe, validating spaces for male clients to share their stories.
  • Explore how societal expectations and cultural messaging impact their healing.
  • Encourage community and connection to reduce isolation.

Carl Rogers’ Seven Stages of Process [starts at 45:40 mins]

In ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken simplify Carl Rogers’ Seven Stages of Process, a key person-centred theory describing how clients grow through therapy.

Key points include:

• The seven stages map a client’s journey from rigidity to fluidity – from defensiveness to openness and self-trust.
• Stages explained:
  1. Rigidity & Defensiveness – Blaming others, avoiding self-awareness.
  2. External Recognition – Acknowledging problems exist but externalising them.
  3. Tentative Self-Exploration – Starting to discuss personal feelings.
  4. Here-and-Now Feelings – Becoming present-focused, seeking involvement in therapy.
  5. Ownership & Change – Taking control and committing to change.
  6. Experiencing Fully – Accepting emotions in real-time and trusting the inner self.
  7. Self-Actualisation – Living authentically and growing beyond therapy.
• Most therapy takes place between stages 3–5, with stage 6+ often continuing after therapy ends.
• The seven stages are non-linear. Clients may move back and forth through stages as they progress.
• Use the seven stages in supervision or case studies to reflect on client progress.

Links and Resources

Jeremy Sachs

Counselling Skills Academy

Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Counsellor CPD

Counselling Study Resource

Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide

Counselling Tutor Training and CPD

Facebook group

Website

Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide

Online and Telephone Counselling Course