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Privacy Policy

Human Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, respect, and transparency. This privacy policy explains how your personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when you contact or work with Human Counselling.

This policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
 

1. Who I Am

Human Counselling is a private counselling practice based in the UK.

Data Controller:
Human Counselling
Email: hello@humancounselling.org

I am responsible for ensuring your personal data is handled lawfully, ethically, and securely.

2. What Information I Collect

Depending on your contact with me, I may collect:

Personal details

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

Therapy related information

  • Information you share during counselling sessions

  • Brief clinical notes relating to themes, progress, or risk

  • Relevant background information you choose to disclose

Administrative information

  • Appointment times and attendance

  • Invoices and payment records

I only collect information that is necessary for providing counselling services safely and effectively.

3. How Your Information Is Used

Your personal data is used to:

  • Respond to enquiries and arrange appointments

  • Provide counselling services

  • Maintain brief clinical records

  • Manage payments and administration

  • Meet legal, ethical, and professional obligations

Your data is never used for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, the lawful bases for processing your data include:

  • Consent

  • Contract

  • Legal obligation

  • Vital interests in rare situations involving serious risk of harm

5. Confidentiality and Disclosure

Everything shared in counselling is treated as confidential.

Confidentiality may be broken only in limited circumstances, including:

  • Serious risk of harm to you or others

  • Safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult

  • Legal requirement or court order

Where possible, this will be discussed with you first.

6. How Your Data Is Stored

  • Digital records are stored securely using password protected systems

  • Paper records, if used, are kept locked and secure

  • Email communication is kept to a minimum and handled carefully

Reasonable steps are taken to protect your data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

7. How Long Your Data Is Kept

In line with professional guidance:

  • Therapy records are kept for at least 7 years after counselling ends

  • Records relating to children and young people may be kept until age 25

  • Enquiry emails not leading to therapy are deleted within a reasonable period

After this time, records are securely destroyed.

8. Sharing Your Data

Your personal data is not shared with third parties except:

  • With your explicit consent

  • With my clinical supervisor, anonymised wherever possible

  • Where legally required

Your data is never sold, rented, or traded.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request erasure where applicable

  • Restrict or object to processing

  • Request data portability

  • Withdraw consent at any time

Requests can be made by contacting me using the details above.

10. Complaints

If you have concerns about how your data has been handled, you can:

  • Raise this directly with Human Counselling

  • Contact the Information Commissioner’s Office via ico.org.uk

11. Cookies and Website Use

The Human Counselling website uses essential cookies only.

These cookies allow the website to function securely and correctly. They do not collect personal data for advertising, tracking, or marketing purposes.

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

12. Professional and Ethical Framework

Human Counselling works in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

This means personal data is handled with respect for dignity, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and safeguarding responsibilities. Clinical notes are kept minimal and purposeful, supporting ethical practice rather than excessive data collection.

13. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated occasionally. The most recent version will always be available on the Human Counselling website.

 

Last Updated: 05/01/2026

 

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