Privacy Policy
At Lyn Northcott Counselling, your privacy is of the utmost importance. This policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
What Information is Collected
I collect information that you provide through the website contact form, emails, phone calls, and during our counselling sessions. This includes your contact details (name, email, phone number) and brief notes taken during or after sessions to support our therapeutic work.
Legal Bases for Processing
Under UK data protection law, the legal bases I rely on for processing this information are:
- Consent: When you provide your details via the contact form.
- Contract: Necessary to provide the counselling services you have requested.
- Legitimate Interests: To ensure the effective management of the practice and provide high-quality care.
How Your Information is Used
Your information is used solely to provide counselling services, manage appointments, and maintain clinical records. I do not use your personal information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
Data Storage, Security and Retention
Information is stored securely using encrypted digital storage or locked physical files. I retain your records for a period of seven years following the end of our sessions, in line with insurance and professional guidelines, after which they are securely destroyed.
Sharing with Third Parties
Your information remains confidential and is only shared with third parties (such as your GP or other professionals) with your explicit consent, or where I am legally required to do so, or in exceptional circumstances to ensure your safety or the safety of others.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to access your data, request corrections, or ask for deletion where appropriate. You also have rights to restrict processing and data portability. If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Cookies and Analytics
This website uses basic cookies and analytics to help improve user experience and understand how the site is being used. These do not collect personally identifiable information.
Contact Information
For any questions regarding your privacy or to exercise your rights, please contact Lyn Northcott at lyn@lynnorthcottcounselling.co.uk.
Information We Collect
At Lyn Northcott Counselling, we collect and process several types of personal information to provide you with the most effective and safe professional support. This includes contact details provided via our website contact form, details from emails, text messages, or phone calls exchanged during our professional relationship, and brief confidential session notes to ensure continuity of care.
- Contact Details: Names, emails, and phone numbers from our contact forms.
- Communication Records: Professional emails, logs of calls, and text messages.
- Therapeutic Session Notes: Brief, essential records of our work together.
- Basic Administrative Data: Required details for professional invoicing and scheduling.
We only collect data that is strictly necessary for our professional engagement. All information is managed with the highest level of care and in full compliance with UK data protection regulations.
How We Use Your Information
Lyn Northcott Counselling collects and processes your personal data to provide professional therapeutic services, maintain accurate records, and ensure your safety and well-being during our work together. We operate in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Legal Bases for Processing
We rely on several legal grounds to process your information. Contract: To fulfill the therapeutic agreement. Legitimate Interests: To manage the practice and provide high-quality care. Consent: Where you have provided explicit permission for specific uses, such as sharing information with third parties.
Utilisation Specifics
- Responding to inquiries via contact forms, email, or telephone.
- Structuring and delivering counselling sessions tailored to your needs.
- Maintaining clinical notes and records for professional accountability.
- Communicating regarding appointments, scheduling, and billing.
- Complying with professional standards and UK legal requirements.
Privacy Policy
Lyn Northcott Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data with care. This policy explains how information is collected, used, and stored in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Information Collection & Use
We collect information you provide via contact forms, emails, phone calls, and notes taken during our sessions. This is processed under the legal bases of consent, contract (to provide your therapy), and legitimate interests.
Data Storage & Security
Your information is stored securely using encrypted systems or locked physical storage. We only keep your data for as long as is necessary for therapeutic or legal requirements. Sharing with third parties (such as your GP) only occurs with your explicit consent, unless required by law or to ensure your safety or the safety of others.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to access, correct, or delete your data where appropriate. You may also restrict processing or request data portability. If you have concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. We use basic website analytics and cookies to improve our site functionality.
Contact Us
For any questions regarding your privacy, please contact Lyn Northcott Counselling directly via our contact form or the information listed in the footer of this website.
Sharing Your Data
Your privacy is of the utmost importance. I will only share your personal information with third parties, such as your GP or other healthcare professionals, if I have your explicit consent to do so. The only exceptions to this are where I am required by law (for example, by a court order) or where I have a significant concern about your safety or the safety of others. Any sharing of information is handled with the highest level of professional discretion and in accordance with UK data protection law.
Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law
In accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have several rights regarding your personal information.
Right to Access
You have the right to request a copy of the personal information Lyn Northcott Counselling holds about you. This is commonly known as a Subject Access Request.
Right to Restriction
You have the right to request that the processing of your data be restricted in certain circumstances, for example, if you contest its accuracy.
Right to Rectification
If you believe any information held about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to ask for it to be corrected or updated without delay.
Data Portability
You have the right to receive personal data you have provided in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format to move between services.
Right to Erasure
You can request that your personal data be deleted where there is no compelling reason for its continued processing, subject to legal and ethical requirements.
Right to Complain
If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Cookies and Website Analytics
Lyn Northcott Counselling uses cookies and basic website analytics to ensure our website functions correctly and to understand how visitors interact with our content. This information is processed in a way that does not identify individuals. We use this technical data under our legitimate interests to maintain a professional and accessible online presence. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings at any time.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or UK data protection law (such as the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018). Any updates will be clearly posted on this page with an updated 'last modified' date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how Lyn Northcott Counselling is protecting your information.
Privacy Enquiries
If you have any questions about this privacy notice or how your personal information is processed, please contact Lyn Northcott Counselling. We are dedicated to ensuring your data is handled securely and in full compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
lyn@lynnorthcottcounselling.co.uk
+44 (0)7973 760622