1. The information I collect

1.1 When you enquire or book a session

When you contact me through my website, email, phone, or social media, I collect the information I need to respond to you and arrange an initial appointment. This usually includes your name and contact details.

If you choose to begin counselling, I also collect information shared during your assessment and ongoing sessions. This may include sensitive (special‑category) information relating to your emotional wellbeing and personal history.

1.2 When you sign up for workshops, newsletters, or resources

If you request updates, workshops, online courses, or free resources, I collect the information needed to send these to you and keep you informed.

You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time.

2. Visitors to my website and social media

2.1 Website analytics

My website uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site and to help me improve it. This information is processed in a way that does not identify you.

2.2 Website forms

If you complete a form on my website, the information is held briefly by the website host before being securely sent to me.

2.3 Social media messaging

If you contact me through Facebook Messenger, please be aware that this platform is not encrypted and your information may be stored on their servers.

For your privacy, I recommend using email or the website contact form for sensitive information.

3. How your information is used

I use your information to:

• provide counselling services

• respond to enquiries

• send updates or resources you have requested

• maintain records required for professional, ethical, and legal reasons

I will never share your information with anyone else unless:

• you give clear permission

• there is a legal requirement

• there is a safeguarding concern involving risk of harm to you or someone else

4. Lawful basis for processing your data

Under UK GDPR, I must tell you the lawful basis I rely on when processing your information.

• To provide counselling:
  Article 6(1)(b) – Contract
  Article 9(2)(h) – Health and social care (special‑category data)

• To respond to enquiries:
  Article 6(1)(b) – Contract

• For newsletters, workshops, and updates:
  Article 6(1)(a) – Consent
  You can withdraw consent at any time.

• For website analytics:
  Article 6(1)(a) – Consent (cookies)

5. How your information is stored

I take care to keep your information safe. This includes:

• secure digital storage

• password‑protected devices

• encrypted systems where available

• locked storage for any paper notes

Only I have access to your counselling information.

6. How long your information is kept

• Counselling records: kept for 7 years after our work ends, then securely destroyed

• Enquiry emails: kept for up to 12 months

• Newsletter/workshop sign‑ups: kept until you unsubscribe

• Safeguarding records: kept for the period required by law

• Analytics data: retained according to Google’s standard retention settings

7. Confidentiality and supervision

As part of good ethical practice, I may discuss aspects of my work in clinical supervision. This is always done without identifying you, and supervisors are bound by the same confidentiality requirements.

8. Your rights

You have the right to: 

• access the information I hold about you

• ask for corrections

• request deletion (in some circumstances)

• restrict or object to processing

• withdraw consent for non‑counselling communications

• complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how your data is handled

If you would like to use any of these rights, please contact me at:
laura@seeclearcounselling.co.uk

9. Contact details

SeeClear Counselling – Laura Knight
Email: laura@seeclearcounselling.co.uk
Phone: 07975 733029 / 01202 972209
Website: https://www.seeclearcounselling.co.uk