Your privacy is important to me, and I want to make sure you feel safe and informed about how your information is handled when you visit my website or engage in counselling services with me.

I am a registered member of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), reference number: ZB767800.

What information I collect

When you reach out or book a session, I may collect:

• Basic Contact Information – Your name, age, address, mobile or landline telephone number, email address and emergency contact details.
• Health-Related Information – Any details you choose to share about your mental health, wellbeing, personal circumstances and counselling needs that are relevant to our work together. This information is treated as confidential and is considered special category data under UK GDPR.
• GP Details – Your GP details may be requested in case there are concerns regarding your safety or wellbeing, and I need to contact them in exceptional circumstances.
• Session Notes – Brief counselling notes may be kept to support the therapeutic process and maintain professional records.
• Payment Information – If payments are required, they will be processed securely through a trusted third-party payment provider. I do not store your card details.
• Website Data – Basic technical information, such as browser type, device information, and IP address, may be collected to help improve the website experience and security.

How I use your information

I only use your information to:

• Respond to your enquiries and schedule sessions.
• Provide and personalise counselling services.
• Maintain appropriate clinical records.
• Process secure payments.
• Improve the website experience.
• Comply with professional, ethical and legal requirements.

Lawful Basis for Processing Data

I process your personal information under the following lawful bases:

• Contract – to provide counselling services that you have requested.
• Legitimate Interests – to manage my counselling practice safely and effectively.
• Legal Obligation – where I am required by law to retain or disclose information.
• Health-related information is processed as special category data because it is necessary to provide counselling services.

How your information is protected

I take confidentiality seriously and use appropriate safeguards to keep your information secure.

Any electronic records are stored securely and password-protected. Any paper records are kept securely and are only accessible to me.

Whilst every effort is made to protect your information, no online system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. I therefore encourage care when sharing sensitive information electronically.

When information might be shared

I do not sell, rent or trade your information.

Information may only be shared:

• With trusted services that assist with scheduling, administration or payment processing.
• During professional supervision, where client anonymity is maintained wherever possible.
• If there is a concern that you or another person may be at risk of serious harm.
• If required by law, a court order, or another legal obligation.
• If there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult.

Where possible, I will discuss any necessary disclosures with you first.

How long information is kept

Your personal information and counselling records, including session notes, will be retained for 7 years following the end of our therapeutic work. This is in line with professional, ethical and insurance requirements.

After this period has expired, all records will be securely destroyed or permanently deleted.

Any paper records will be shredded, and electronic records will be securely deleted.

Your rights

Depending on your circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information I hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of information where there is no legal reason for it to be retained.
• Restrict how your information is processed.
• Object to certain processing activities.
• Request a copy of your information where applicable.

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact me at: yourtimeyourtherapy@gmail.com.

International Data Transfers

Some third-party services used to support my practice may store or process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information and comply with UK GDPR requirements.

Cookies and Tracking

My website may use cookies to improve your experience.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings if you prefer not to use cookies.

Third-Party Links

My website may contain links to external websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.

Complaints

If you have concerns about how your information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance so that I can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Updates to this Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.