Privacy Policy

Your privacy and confidentiality are at the heart of counselling and psychotherapy. This policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit this website or engage in counselling services. Every effort is made to ensure your information is handled with care, respect, and in line with professional and ethical standards.

I am a professional counsellor and act as the data controller for any personal information you provide. My work is guided by recognised professional frameworks, including COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland), and BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) which sets clear standards for ethical practice, confidentiality, and client care.

When you make contact or begin counselling, I may collect personal information such as your name, contact details, and basic information about your enquiry. If you choose to proceed with counselling, this may also include information you share during sessions, along with brief notes that support safe and effective practice. Only information that is necessary and relevant to your care is recorded.

Your information is used to respond to your enquiry, arrange and manage appointments, and provide counselling and psychotherapy in a safe, structured, and professional way. It also supports accurate record-keeping and ensures I meet legal, ethical, and professional obligations, including those required by COSCA and BACP membership. This includes maintaining appropriate supervision, engaging in ongoing professional development, and adhering to a recognised code of ethics and practice.

Confidentiality is a fundamental part of the counselling relationship. What you share in sessions is treated with respect and kept private. However, there are rare and specific situations where confidentiality may need to be broken. This may happen if there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults, or disclosure is required by law. Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you openly and sensitively.

In line with professional standards, I engage in regular clinical supervision. This is an essential part of safe and ethical counselling practice and helps ensure you receive the best possible support. During supervision, your identity is always protected, and any discussion is handled confidentially and professionally.

Your personal data is stored securely, whether in digital or physical form, and appropriate measures are taken to protect it from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. Records are only kept for as long as necessary in line with professional guidelines and legal requirements, after which they are safely and securely disposed of.

Your information will not be shared with third parties unless you have given your consent, it is required as part of professional supervision, or there is a legal or safeguarding obligation to do so. You will always be treated with honesty and transparency in how your information is handled.

Under UK data protection law, you have rights in relation to your personal information. This includes the right to access the information held about you, request corrections if anything is inaccurate, and request deletion where appropriate. You also have the right to withdraw consent where this applies.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who act as the national data protection authority, ensuring organisations handle personal data safely and follow laws such as the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This website may use basic cookies or analytics tools to understand how visitors use the site and to improve user experience. This information is general and does not identify you personally.

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how your information is handled, you are welcome to get in touch. Open communication is an important part of building trust, and any concerns will be taken seriously and responded to with care.