Privacy Notice

Twyford Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, securely and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This Privacy Notice explains what personal information I collect, why I collect it, how it is used, how it is stored, and your rights in relation to your personal data.

Who I am

Twyford Counselling is the data controller for the personal information you provide through this website or during the course of counselling/psychotherapy.

What information I collect

If you contact me or choose to begin counselling/psychotherapy, I may collect:

  • Your name.

  • Email address and telephone number.

  • Information you provide in your enquiry.

  • Information relevant to your counselling/psychotherapy sessions.

  • Appointment and payment records where applicable.

I only collect information that is necessary to provide counselling/psychotherapy services and to meet my legal, ethical and professional obligations.

Website enquiries and contact forms

If you contact me through the website contact form or by email, I will use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry and determine whether I am able to offer counselling/psychotherapy.

If you do not become a client, your enquiry information will normally be deleted within six months, unless you ask to remain on a waiting list or I am required to retain it for legal reasons.

Website hosting

This website is hosted by Squarespace, which securely processes information submitted through the website on my behalf. Squarespace may process technical information such as your IP address, browser type and device information in order to operate and secure the website. Server logs and security logs are collected for security and maintenance purposes

Further information is available in Squarespace's Privacy Policy.

How I use your information

Your personal information is used to:

  • Respond to your enquiries.

  • Arrange and manage appointments.

  • Provide counselling and psychotherapy services.

  • Maintain appropriate clinical records.

  • Meet legal, ethical and professional obligations.

The lawful bases for processing your personal information include:

  • Taking steps at your request before entering into a counselling/psychotherapy agreement.

  • Providing counselling services/psychotherapy.

  • Compliance with legal and professional obligations.

  • Where appropriate, your consent.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is central to counselling/psychotherapy.

Your personal information will not be shared with anyone without your knowledge unless I am legally or ethically required to do so.

This may include situations involving:

  • Serious risk of harm to yourself or another person.

  • Safeguarding concerns involving children or adults at risk.

  • A court order or other legal requirement.

  • The prevention or detection of serious crime or terrorism.

Wherever possible, I will discuss any proposed disclosure with you first.

Counselling/psychotherapy records

As part of my professional practice I keep brief counselling/psychotherapy notes.

  • Notes are recorded using your initials wherever possible.

  • Personal identifying information is stored separately from counselling/psychotherapy notes.

  • Records are stored securely.

  • Counselling/psychotherapy notes are not shared unless you request this, I consider it appropriate, or I am legally required to disclose them.

Clinical supervision

As required by my professional code of ethics, I discuss my counselling/psychotherapy work with a qualified clinical supervisor.

These discussions are fully anonymised and no information that could identify you is shared.

How your information is stored

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

How long I keep your information

Client records, including counselling/psychotherapy notes and personal information, are retained securely for seven years after counselling/psychotherapy has ended in accordance with professional and insurance requirements.

At the end of this period, records are securely deleted or confidentially destroyed.

Cookies

This website uses cookies that are necessary for its operation. If non-essential cookies (such as analytics) are used, you will be asked for your consent before they are placed on your device.  For more information about cookies used on this website, please see our Cookie Policy.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information.

  • Request correction of inaccurate information.

  • Request erasure of your personal information where appropriate.

  • Request restriction of processing.

  • Object to certain processing.

  • Request a copy of your personal information.

Complaints

If you have any concerns about how I handle your personal information, please contact me in the first instance.

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner's Office
Website: www.ico.org.uk

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your personal information is handled, please contact:

Michele Burden
Twyford Counselling
Email: michele_burden@hotmail.com