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Taking Strides Counselling understands that your privacy is important to you and that you care about how your personal data is used. We respect and value the privacy of all our clients and will only collect and use personal data in ways that are described here, and in a way that is consistent with our obligations and your rights under the law.

1. Information About Us

Taking Strides Counselling. Registered address: 25 Brangwyn Square BS22 6HU. I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

2. What Does This Notice Cover?

This Privacy Information explains how we use your personal data: how it is collected, how it is held, and how it is processed. It also explains your rights under the law relating to your personal data.
 

3. What is Personal Data?

Personal data is defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/679) (the “GDPR”) as ‘any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier’.
Personal data is, in simpler terms, any information about you that enables you to be identified. Personal data covers obvious information such as your name and contact details, but it also covers less obvious information such as identification numbers, electronic location data, and other online identifiers.
The personal data that we use is set out in Part 5, below.

4. What Are My Rights?

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights, which we will always work to uphold:
  1. The right to be informed about our collection and use of your personal data. This Privacy Notice should tell you everything you need to know, but you can always contact us to find out more or to ask any questions using the details in Part 11.
  2. The right to access the personal data we hold about you. Part 10 will tell you how to do this.
  3. The right to have your personal data rectified if any of your personal data held by us is inaccurate or incomplete. Please contact us using the details in Part 11 to find out more.
  4. The right to be forgotten, i.e. the right to ask us to delete or otherwise dispose of any of your personal data that we have. Please contact us using the details in Part 11 to find out more.
  5. The right to restrict (i.e. prevent) the processing of your personal data.
  6. The right to object to us using your personal data for a particular purpose or purposes.
  7. The right to data portability. This means that, if you have provided personal data to us directly, we are using it with your consent or for the performance of a contract, and that data is processed using automated means, you can ask us for a copy of that personal data to re-use with another service or business in many cases.
  8. Rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling we do not use your personal data in this way.
For more information about our use of your personal data or exercising your rights as outlined above, please contact us using the details provided in Part 11.
Further information about your rights can also be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s Office or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
If you have any cause for complaint about our use of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
 

5. What Personal Data Do You Collect?

We may collect some or all of the following personal data (this may vary according to your relationship with us):
·       Name;
·       Date of birth;
·       Gender;
·       Address;
·       Email address;
·       Telephone number;
·       Business name;
·       Job title;
·       Profession;
·       Payment information.

6. How Do You Use My Personal Data?

Under the GDPR, we must always have a lawful basis for using personal data. This may be because the data is necessary for our performance of a contract with you, because you have consented to our use of your personal data, or because it is in our legitimate business interests to use it. Your personal data may be used for one of the following purposes:

·       Providing and managing your account.
·       Supplying our services to you. Your personal details are required for us to enter into a contract with you.
·       Communicating with you. This may include responding to emails or calls from you.

With your permission and/or where permitted by law, we may also use your personal data for marketing purposes, which may include contacting you by email with information, news, and offers on our services. You will not be sent any unlawful marketing or spam. we will always work to fully protect your rights and comply with our obligations under the GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, and you will always have the opportunity to opt-out.

7. How Long Will You Keep My Personal Data?

We will not keep your personal data for any longer than is necessary considering the reason(s) for which it was first collected. Your personal data will, therefore, be kept for the following periods:
·       A fixed period of three years upon conclusion of counselling.
 

8. How and Where Do You Store or Transfer My Personal Data?

We will only store or transfer your personal data in the UK. This means that it will be fully protected under the GDPR.
 

9. Do You Share My Personal Data?

We will not share any of your personal data with any third parties for any purposes, subject to one important exception.
In some limited circumstances, we may be legally required to share certain personal data, which might include yours, if we are involved in legal proceedings or complying with legal obligations, a court order, or the instructions of a government authority.

10. How Can I Access My Personal Data?

If you want to know what personal data we have about you, you can ask us for details of that personal data and for a copy of it (where any such personal data is held). This is known as a “subject access request”.
All subject access requests should be made in writing and sent to the email or postal addresses shown in Part 11.
There is not normally any charge for a subject access request. If your request is ‘manifestly unfounded or excessive’ (for example, if you make repetitive requests) a fee may be charged to cover our administrative costs in responding.
We will respond to your subject access request within one month and, in any case, not more than one month of receiving it. Normally, we aim to provide a complete response, including a copy of your personal data within that time. In some cases, however, particularly if your request is more complex, more time may be required up to a maximum of three months from the date we receive your request. You will be kept fully informed of our progress.
 

11. How Do I Contact You?

To contact us about anything to do with your personal data and data protection, including to make a subject access request, please use the following details:
Email address: website@takingstridescounselling.co.uk.
Telephone number: 07899 267938.
Postal Address: Taking Strides Counselling, 25 Brangwyn Square, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 6HU.
 

12. Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may change this Privacy Notice from time to time. This may be necessary, for example, if the law changes, or if we change our business in a way that affects personal data protection.
Any changes will be made available on our website.

Terms and conditions for use of this website

General Terms

Welcome to my website www.takingstridescounselling.co.uk, managed by Maria Stride. If you browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and are bound by the following terms and conditions. These, together with my privacy policy, governs the privacy of the user and explains how I comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). If you do not agree with any of these terms, please do not use this website.

This website contains material which is owned by Taking Strides Counselling. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. The use of these are forbidden without written consent from Taking Strides Counselling.

You must not:

  • Republish material from this website without prior written consent
  • Reproduce, duplicate or exploit any information from this site for any purpose
  • Redistribute any information from this website

Use of external links

www.takingstridescounselling.co.uk contains links to external websites. Taking Strides Counselling does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or suitability of the information found on any of the linked sites and therefore accepts no liability. Taking Strides is not responsible for these external websites or the information contained therein. They are provided for your information only and it shall be your own responsibility to ensure the information provided is suitable for you. Taking Strides Counselling is not responsible for information you take for personal use.

How your information is protected

It is important that you remember that email is not recognised as a secure medium of communication. Thus, sending private information in this way is allowed, but at your own risk. Credit Card information and other sensitive information is never transmitted via email.

Please see the Privacy Policy for further information on your information protection.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Taking Strides Counselling and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Taking Strides Counselling. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

If you have any concerns or would like further information regarding these terms of

service please do not hesitate to contact Taking Strides Counselling.

Useful Links

Hub of Hope

Database of mental health services in the UK, including community, charity, private and NHS mental health support https://hubofhope.co.uk/


Mind

Information, support and advice on mental health https://www.mind.org.uk/


BACP

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy  www.bacp.co.uk/


Samaritans

A non-judgement free telephone service 116 123  www.samaritans.org/ 


SHOUT

Confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you're in crisis and need immediate help 85258 (text SHOUT) https://giveusashout.org/


Stay Alive

App with help and resources for people who feel suicidal or are supporting someone else https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/


Survivors Trust

The largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK www.thesurvivorstrust.org


SARSAS

Support for people affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives www.sarsas.org.uk


SupportLine

SupportLine is particularly aimed at those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse www.supportline.org.uk


Women’s Aid

The national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children www.womensaid.org.uk


Male Domestic Abuse Network

Organisations supporting male victims of domestic abuse https://mdan.org.uk/key-national-organisations/


CRUSE

Offers face-to-face, telephone, email and online support for anyone who has experienced a loss www.cruse.org.uk


Petals

Specialist counselling work was for bereaved parents www.petalscharity.org


YoungMinds

Children and young people's mental health www.youngminds.org.uk


StopBreatheThink

Mental health service for young people  www.stopbreathethink.org.uk


NSPCC

Advice and support regarding young people and children  www.nspcc.org.uk


LGBT Foundation

National charity offering advice, support and information - https://lgbt.foundation/

Switchboard

The national LGBTQIA+ support line https://switchboard.lgbt/

 

What is counselling?

Counselling, sometimes called Talking Therapy, gives people a safe, non-judgemental space in which they can explore their inner world. This can help you to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can begin to understand the why behind what you are feeling and/or the why behind your actions then take the steps to change, if this is what you want to do. Sometimes understanding is all that is required.

A counsellor is someone who will not tell you how to resolve your issues, instead they work with you to find the best way of managing the difficulties these present. The work you and your counsellor do is seek out the root causes of your feelings, actions and behaviours which can then lead to processing, healing and management of yourself in a kinder way.

How can counselling help?

This will depend on the person receiving the counselling because each client is unique in how they approach the process. Counselling is best when you work in collaboration with your counsellor, this means you both work together to achieve what it is you want.

The counsellor provides the space for you to say what you want without the fear of judgement; you can be free to explore what you feel is needed to move on. The counsellor may also offer other ways of working. This may be worksheets which help you to focus on an issue and your thoughts around it or creative work allowing you the freedom to express an emotion or feeling which is difficult to put into words.

All that is expected of you, as the client, is that you arrive on time to sessions and embrace the change that happens. It may take a while as counselling is not a quick fix but with collaboration you can begin to heal and move forward once again.

The counsellor is not the expert in your world, you are. You know what hurts and you know what you would like to happen next but sometimes it is hidden until someone helps us to find the way to open that door. Once open, you can then choose to step through and embrace that new world or wait until you are ready to experience it. That new world can seem scary and overwhelming but it is the path to the place you want to be.

Connect With Us Today

Contacting me is easy, either complete the form, call me on 07899 267938 or follow me on the below links!