Privacy Policy – Joanne Lindsay Counselling Service Effective Date: January 2025
Joanne Lindsay Counselling Service is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). This policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use my counselling services.
1. Who am I Joanne Lindsay Counselling Service I am a sole practitioner counselling service based in Taunton, Somerset, UK or remotely. You can contact me at: Email:[email protected] Phone: 07899 048256 Address: Room 8, The Temple Methodist Church, Upper High Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3PY Data Controller: Joanne Lindsay
2. What Information I Collect I may collect and process the following categories of personal data:
Health & Therapy Information: Relevant medical or psychological history, GP contact details, session notes, consent forms
3. Why I Collect Your Data I process your personal data for the following purposes:
To provide counselling and therapy services
To contact you about appointments and respond to your enquiries
To maintain accurate and confidential records
To comply with legal or regulatory obligations (e.g., safeguarding, insurance)
With your consent, to communicate about changes or updates to the service
4. Lawful Bases for Processing Under the UK GDPR, I rely on the following lawful bases:
Consent – You have given clear consent for us to process your personal data.
Contract – Processing is necessary to provide our counselling services to you.
Legal Obligation – We may be required by law to disclose information (e.g., in safeguarding cases).
Vital Interests – To protect someone’s life, if there is a serious risk of harm.
5. Sharing Your Information I will never sell or share your data for marketing purposes. I may share your data:
With medical professionals, in an emergency or where there is risk of serious harm
If required by law or court order
With a supervisor, as part of professional ethical practice, but only in an anonymised form
6. Data Storage and Retention
Your data is stored securely (paper records in a locked cabinet; electronic records on a password-protected device).
Records are kept for 5 years after the end of counselling, in line with insurance and professional guidelines, after which they will be securely destroyed.
7. Your Rights Under GDPR You have the right to:
Access your personal data
Rectify incorrect or incomplete data
Erase your data ("right to be forgotten") where applicable
Restrict or object to certain types of processing
Data portability (in a structured, commonly used format)
8. Security I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.
9. Complaints If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): Website:https://ico.org.uk Phone: 0303 123 1113
10. Updates to This Policy I may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website or upon request.