Privacy Policy

Who we are

Taking Strides Counselling

41 Upper Church Road
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 2DX
Telephone: 07899 267938
Email: maria@takingstridescounselling.co.uk
www.takingstridescounselling.co.uk

Information

  • Lawful bases and data protection rights
  • What information I collect, use, and why
  • Who we share information with and why
  • How long I keep information and how is this stored
  • How to complain or raise concerns

Lawful bases and data protection rights

Under UK data protection law, I must have a “lawful basis” for collecting and using your personal information. There is a list of possible lawful bases in the UK GDPR. You can find out more about lawful bases on the ICO’s website.

Which lawful basis I rely on may affect your data protection rights which are in brief set out below. You can find out more about your data protection rights and the exemptions which may apply on the ICO’s website:

  • Your right of access – You have the right to ask me for copies of your personal information. You can request other information such as details about where we get personal information from and who I share personal information with. There are some exemptions which means you may not receive all the information you ask for. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask me to correct or delete personal information you think is inaccurate or incomplete. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask me to delete your personal information. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask me to limit how we can use your personal information. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to object to processing – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that I transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you. You can read more about this right here.
  • Your right to withdraw consent – When we use consent as our lawful basis you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. You can read more about this right here.

If you make a request, I must respond to you without undue delay and in any event within one month.

My lawful bases for the collection and use of your data

My lawful basis for collecting or using personal information to provide counselling services for clients are:

  • Consent – we have permission from you after I gave you all the relevant information. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to object. To be clear, you do have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
  • Contract – I have to collect the information so I can enter into a contract with you. All of your data protection rights may apply except the right to object.
  • Legitimate interests – I’m collecting your information because it benefits you without causing an undue risk of harm. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to portability. Our legitimate interests are:
    • I provide counselling and therefore the information gives an understanding of what care needs are required to support you.
  • Vital interests – collecting the information is needed when someone’s physical or mental health or wellbeing is at urgent or serious risk. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to object and the right to portability.

What information I collect, use, and why

I collect or use the following information to provide counselling services for clients:

  • Names and contact details
  • Addresses
  • Gender
  • Pronoun preferences
  • Date of birth
  • Health information (such as physical and/or mental health conditions)
  • Records of sessions

Who we share information with and why

If I feel that there is a high risk of harm to yourself or others I may share information with the following

  • Emergency services
  • GP
  • Emergency Contact/Next of Kin with consent

How long we keep information and how is this stored

  • This personal information will be held for the duration of your therapy.
  • Please note that I  will need to keep a record of your personal data for five years after the end of your therapy, so that I can respond effectively to any potential requests regarding your clinical notes and treatment.
  • If you decide to return to therapy after a period of time and wish to revisit any of our past discussions this information can be readily accessible.
  • Paper information such as contracts
    • This information is stored in a locked filing cabinet with my home office.
    • There is no information left within my working office.
  • Digital information such as notes and emails
    • All digital information is stored on a password-protected database.
    • I am the only one who has access to this database and the password.

How to complain or raise concerns

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 myself, you can also contact the ICO and/or the BACP.

Taking Strides Counselling

See above           

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone 0303 123 1113
Website www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
15 St. John’s Business park
Lutterworth
Leicestershire
LE17 4HB

Telephone 01455 883300
Website www.bacp.co.uk/