Privacy policy

Under UK data protection law, we are required to have a “lawful basis” for collecting and processing your personal information. The UK GDPR outlines several possible lawful bases for such activities. For further information about lawful bases, you may refer to the ICO’s website.

Impact of Lawful Basis on your Data Protection Rights

The lawful basis upon which we rely determines which data protection rights apply to you. Your rights are outlined below in brief, and additional details—including possible exemptions—can be found on the ICO’s website.

• Your right of access: You have the right to request copies of your personal information. You may also ask for details regarding the sources of your personal information and with whom it is shared. Please be aware that certain exemptions may prevent you from receiving all the requested information. For more details, see the ICO’s guidance on the right of access.
• Your right to rectification: You have the right to request correction or deletion of personal information you believe to be inaccurate or incomplete. More information is available on the ICO’s website under the right to rectification.
• Your right to erasure: You may ask us to delete your personal information. Learn more about this right by visiting the ICO’s guidance on erasure.
• Your right to restriction of processing: You can request that we limit how your personal information is used. Additional details can be found under the right to restriction of processing on the ICO’s website.
• Your right to object to processing: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data. For more information, see the ICO’s guidance on the right to object to processing.
• Your right to data portability: You may request that the personal information you provided be transferred to another organization or to yourself. More details are available under the right to data portability on the ICO’s website.
• Your right to withdraw consent: If we rely on consent as our lawful basis, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. Read more about the right to withdraw consent on the ICO’s website.

We must respond to data protection rights requests without undue delay and, in any event, within one month of receiving your request.
To exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact us using the contact details provided at the top of this privacy notice.

Lawful Basis for collecting and using your data

We collect and use your personal information based on several lawful grounds, which are outlined below:

• Consent: We may process your data when you have provided explicit permission after being fully informed of how your information will be used. With this lawful basis, you retain all of your data protection rights, except the right to object. Importantly, you may withdraw your consent at any time.
• Contract: We may need to collect or use your data to enter into or fulfill a contract with you. Under this basis, all your data protection rights apply except the right to object.
• Vital Interests: In circumstances where there is an urgent or serious risk to someone’s physical or mental health or wellbeing, we may process data to protect vital interests. This may also include situations requiring immediate access to life-sustaining necessities such as food, water, clothing, or shelter. Under this basis, all rights apply except the right to object and the right to data portability.

How your information is used

Your personal information is processed for the following purposes:

• To provide counselling services tailored to your needs
• To arrange and manage appointments, as well as communicate with you effectively
• To maintain accurate and confidential clinical records
• To ensure compliance with professional, ethical, and legal obligations
• To process payments and issue invoices as needed

All information is processed lawfully, in accordance with contractual necessity, legitimate interests, and the provision of health services.

• Directly from you
• Referrals from companies.

All personal data is stored securely through the use of password-protected electronic systems and secure record-keeping practices. These measures ensure that your information is safeguarded against unauthorized access and remains confidential at all times.

Records are retained in accordance with professional guidelines, which generally require storage for seven years following the conclusion of counselling services. In certain circumstances, records may be retained for a longer period if required by law.

Your data will not be sold or shared for marketing purposes. Information may be shared only where necessary with: 

• Your GP or healthcare professionals (with consent)
• Safeguarding authorities where legally required
• Secure practice management or appointment systems used to deliver services

This sharing will only occur for the following reasons:

• There is serious risk of harm to yourself or others
• There are safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults
• Disclosure is required by law or court order
• You have provided explicit consent

This website may use basic cookies to improve functionality and website performance. No marketing cookies are used without consent.

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal data, you can make a complaint to us using the contact details at the top of this privacy notice.

If you remain unhappy with how we’ve used your data after raising a complaint with us, you can also complain to the ICO.

The ICO’s address:           

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

Website: https://www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. The latest version will always be available on this website.