Data Storage - I gather and hold information about clients on an electronic database, which is encrypted securely and held offline. Electronic database information is deleted 7 years after counselling has finished. Paper copies of information are stored in a secure filing cabinet and are shredded 7 years after the counselling has finished. This information includes brief details about each session. You have the right to ask me to provide a copy of the information held by me in my records, or request for it to be amended (subject to approval). If you wish to do so, you should inform me in writing to stacyismaelcounselling@gmail.com and I will arrange for this within 14 working days. You may withdraw your consent for me to hold and process your data at any time. However, if you do this while actively receiving counselling, your sessions would end. You can withdraw your consent by writing to stacyismaelcounselling@gmail.com.

Confidentiality - Anything you share during your sessions will be held confidentially. I am required by my professional body (BACP) to have regular supervision. Supervision is bound by the same confidentiality as counselling. During supervision, I protect your identity and talk through the process of our work together.

There are certain times when I am required by law to break confidentiality, or if I am significantly concerned about yours or another person’s welfare. Where possible, I will endeavour to talk this through with you prior to breaking confidentiality.

I keep very brief notes for the duration of our sessions together and adhere to data protection regulations and best practice.

GDPR - In order to provide you with a service of counselling, I keep information (paper format) which can be useful for our work together. I store these securely in line with GDPR and BACP guidelines. At our first session, I will explain my privacy notice and ask for your permission to store your personal data for the purposes of our work together.

Log Data - I want to inform you that whenever you visit my website, I collect information that your browser sends to me which is called Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser version, pages of my website that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.

Cookies - Cookies are files with small amounts of data that is commonly used on anonymous unique identifiers. These are sent to your browser from the website that you visit and are stored on your computer’s hard drive. My website uses these “cookies” to collection information and to improve my service.

Security - I value your trust in providing me your Personal Information, thus I strive to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. Please be mindful however that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure and reliable, and I cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Links to Other Sites - My website may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated by me. Therefore, I strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of these websites. I have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

Changes to this Privacy Policy - I may update my Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, I advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. I will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately, after they are posted on this page.

How to complain - If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to me in writing at stacyismaelcounselling@gmail.com.

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how I have used your data.

The ICO’s address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: click here