GDPR and Privacy Statement

GDPR and Privacy Statement

I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information safely, lawfully and transparently. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and I process personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What information do I collect?

When you contact me or begin therapy, I may collect information such as your name, contact details, GP and emergency contact details, appointment information, payment records, brief process notes and information you choose to share with me during therapy. Some of this information may be special category data because it relates to your health, well-being, or personal circumstances.

Why do I use your information?

I use your personal information to respond to enquiries, arrange and provide psychotherapy services, keep appropriate clinical and administrative records, manage invoices and payments, meet legal and professional obligations, and maintain safe and ethical practice.

Lawful basis for processing

The lawful bases I rely on may include contract, where processing is necessary to provide therapy services to you; legitimate interests, where I need to run and manage my practice; legal obligation, where I must keep certain records or respond to lawful requests; and, where relevant, consent. Where I process special category data, I do so only where an additional condition applies, such as the provision of health or social care, or where it is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Confidentiality and sharing information

Information you share with me is treated confidentially. I will not share your personal information without your knowledge unless there is a legal, professional or safeguarding reason to do so, for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person, if I am required to disclose information by law, or where disclosure is necessary for professional supervision or insurance purposes. Any information shared for supervision is limited as far as possible.

How I store and protect your information

I take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. This may include password protection, secure storage, encryption where appropriate, restricted access to records and careful handling of paper and electronic information.

How long will I keep your information?

I keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including professional, legal, insurance and accounting requirements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the circumstances. When information is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or destroyed.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights in relation to your personal information. These may include the right to access your information, to ask for inaccurate information to be corrected, to request erasure in certain circumstances, to restrict or object to processing, and to request a copy of your information in a portable format where applicable. Some rights may be limited where professional, legal or safeguarding obligations apply.

Website enquiries and cookies

If you contact me through my website, by email or by telephone, I will use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry. Website cookies enhance functionality, track user interactions, and improve user experience. Please feel free to decline cookies.

Contact and complaints

If you have any questions or concerns about how I collect, store or use your personal information, please contact me in the first instance via helen@sentiencecounselling.co.uk so that I can try to resolve this with you within a reasonable timeframe. You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection matters, via www.ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.