At Inner Sparkle Counselling, your privacy is held with great care and respect. I am committed to creating a safe, confidential space where your personal information is handled thoughtfully and transparently.
GDPR & Data Protection Statement
Inner Sparkle Counselling is committed to protecting your personal information and handling it responsibly, securely and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the BACP Ethical Framework.
This Privacy Policy explains how your information is collected, used and protected in line with the UK General Date Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who I am
I am a qualified integrative counsellor offering confidential therapeutic support. I am registered with the Commissioner's Office (ICO:00014896503) and adhere to the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP Registered Member: 420815).
Date Controller
The Information I may collect
To support you safely and appropriately, I may collect:
- Your Name and Contact Details (Email and Phone Number)
- Basic Personal Information shared via enquiry form
- Personal Information shared during counselling sessions
- Emergency Contact Details
- Relevant Well-Being or Health Information (if it supports your care)
- You are always in control of what you choose to share.
How your Data is Used
Your data is used with care to:
- Name: Used to address you, to ensure confidentiality, notes are assigned a code.
- Email: Used to confirm appointments and for general communication. Email address is used with (Jotform) for sending Therapy Agreements.
- Phone number: Used to confirm appointments and for general communication, phone numbers saved on work phones are saved under your assigned code and removed when our work ends.
- Personal and GP Address: Used to contact you or your GP in writing if required, also used in the event you become unwell in a session and the emergency services have had to be called.
- Emergency contact number: This may be used in the event that a planned session has been missed and the therapist has been unable to contact you by other means, also used in the event you become unwell in a session and the emergency services have had to be called.
- Clinical notes: Factual, Brief notes are made at the end of each session.
- Assessment information: This information is taken during the initial session / Introductory Session. The information is used to assess any risk, take note of any goals and to help the therapist assess what support clients are looking for.
- Meet Legal and Ethical responsibilities
The Lawful Basis for Handling Your Data
Your information is processed in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation under:
- Contract - to provide counselling sessions
- Legitimate Interests - to support safe and effective Practice
- Consent - Where appropriate eg contracting and emergency services
- Legal Obligation - Where required by law
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a core part of counselling. Your information will be kept private unless I believe:
- You are at risk of serious harm to yourself or others.
- There are safeguarding concerns (e.g. involving a child or vulnerable adult).
- Acts of terrorism, money laundering, Criminal Act, or drug trafficking.
How Your Data is Stored
- Your information is stored securely and confidentially in line with GDPR, using a laptop that is only used by me, which is password protected at both the level of the individual document, Notes and Laptop access.
- All notes will be assigned a code so your name will never be attached to any client notes.
How Long Your Information is Kept
- For insurance purposes, all information is kept for 7 years following conclusion of our work together. After this time, all information held, will be securely destroyed.
Sharing your Information
Your information will not be shared with third parties unless:
- You have given consent
- It is discussed in Professional Supervision (anonymised)
- There is a legal or safeguarding requirement
Your Rights
You have important rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation, including:
- Accessing the Information held about you
- Requesting corrections if something is inaccurate
- Requesting deletion (where applicable)
- Restricting or objecting to how your data is used
- Raising concerns with the Information Commissioner's Office
If you have any question or concern about how your personal data is handled, please email me at enquiries@innersparklecounselling.co.uk. I will acknowledge it and aim to respond fully within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to raise it directly with the Information Commissioner's Office (ISO), the UK's data protection regulator at ico.org.uk.
Website Use & Cookies
- If you visit the Inner Sparkle Counselling website, some basic information (cookies or contact form details) maybe collected to help the website function smoothly and improve your experience. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
Contact
If you have any questions or would like to talk about how your information is handled, you are very welcome to get in touch: