Privacy Policy

Your privacy is very important to me. Please read the following statement to ensure you are happy with how your data will be collected and stored, before continuing. 

Third-Party Services & Privacy Links

Website Provider: this website is created by GoDaddy; please read their Global Privacy Notice here.

Online sessions: provided via Zoom; their Privacy Notice is available here, or via the Psychology Today Meeting Space. Please read their Privacy Notice here.

Video sessions: provided via WhatsApp; please read their Privacy Policy here.

Emails: sent/received via Outlook. Microsofts Privacy Statement is available here.

Consent Forms: completed and returned via Microsoft 365 Forms. Microsofts Privacy Statement is available here.

Counselling Clients

I follow guidance from The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) on collecting, storing and processing your personal data ethically and sensitively.

1. What Data I Collect & Why

If you choose to book counselling sessions with me, I will collect personal data including your name, address, email and phone number, for the purpose of contacting you about our sessions. 

I will also collect your date of birth and doctors contact details. I may contact your GP if I am seriously concerned for your safety and wellbeing, eg. you disclose you have a definite plan for suicide. In this instance, we will find a way forward together and I will NOT contact your GP without your knowledge.

2. Storage & Retention

I keep these records, including brief session notes, securely locked away and only I have access to these. 

As per insurance requirements, this information will be stored for 7 years after your last counselling session (or 7 years after a childs 18th birthday), after which, all personal details and notes will be securely destroyed. Your contact phone number will be stored on my work mobile and deleted once our sessions have ceased. 

3. Data Sharing & Financial Records

I will not share your information with any other parties, unless you express your consent for this (e.g to your GP), or if I am legally bound to do so. 

If you pay for your counselling session via bank transfer, please remain mindful your name may appear on my bank statement when accessed electronically. I am not in receipt of printed bank statements. These statements would only ever be disclosed if I were audited for tax purposes, by HMRC, or if legally bound to do so.

Under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) you have individual rights as to how your data is collected and used. 

Data Protection Complaints

As a sole trader counselling practice, I take your privacy and data protection rights seriously. If you have any concerns or complaints regarding how I collect, store, or use your personal data or session notes, please contact me directly in writing at Counselling-with-Helen@Outlook.com

In accordance with UK Data Protection Laws (including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025), I will:

• Acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt.
• Investigate the matter thoroughly and respond to you regarding the progress or outcome without undue delay.
• Provide a clear outcome and explain any actions taken.

Please note that under UK regulations, you are required to attempt to resolve any data protection grievances directly with me first. If we are unable to resolve the issue together, or if you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you retain the statutory right to escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk

If you would like to remove your consent to my use of your data, please contact me. Please note: Withdrawing consent applies to ongoing marketing or contact, but does not override my legal and insurance obligations to retain historical clinical notes for the mandatory 7-year period.