Privacy Notice

I collect, store and process information about you to enable me to run my counselling practice in an ethical and professional manner. I collect this information in accordance with the GDPR on the legal bases of Contract and Legitimate Interests for the purposes of counselling.

The information I collect includes name, email and phone number. I may also collect some health information such as GP contact details. I keep a handwritten diary in which I record appointments using your initials only. I keep brief hand-written notes after each session so that I can provide you with the best possible service. These notes do not identify you by name.

I may use this information to track the progress of our work together and sometimes for discussion in my own supervision at which you cannot be identified.

I will do my best to keep your information safe. All information about you that I collect and process is stored behind lock and key or is PIN and password protected. I may keep this information for up to six years after our last session at which time they will be securely deleted.

Any email or text messages are limited to information like meeting arrangements, appointment dates and times.. Emails and texts are deleted once any dates they refer to have passed.

In exceptional circumstances, if I believe you or another person is at significant risk, I may contact the relevant authority without your permission. This might include your GP, the emergency services, and the mental health crisis team.

I am required by law to pass on information relating to acts of terrorism or safeguarding concerns.

Your contact details may also be passed on to my Therapeutic Executor, who is another counsellor, so that you can be informed should anything happen to me that would prevent me from attending a session and from communicating with you directly – such as serious illness or death.

By engaging with the service I offer you are consenting to records being kept and processed in the ways described above.

I am registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioners’ Office. (ICO). Further information about the ICO, GDPR and your rights as a client with regards to information held about you can be found on the ICO website.