Counselling with Nicky customer privacy notice
I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and act as the data controller for your personal information under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018. This privacy notice tells you what to expect I will do with your personal information.
- Contact details
- What information I collect, use, and why
- Lawful bases and data protection rights
- Where I get personal information from
- How it is stored and how long I keep information
- How to complain
Contact details
Telephone
hello@counsellingwithnicky.co.uk
What information I collect, use, and why
I collect personal details (name, contact info, GP details, emergency contact) and special category health data (brief session notes, medical/mental health history) necessary for your care, to comply with legal requirements and for dealing with queries, complaints or claims.
Lawful bases and data protection rights
The lawful bases for the collection and use of your data
My lawful basis for processing this data is the performance of a healthcare contract and our mutual legitimate interests in providing safe therapeutic support. I process special category health data and manage this under a strict professional duty of confidentiality. I request name, contact details, GP information and relevant medical history, should you be happy to provide this. I do also maintain session notes.
Where I get personal information from
Directly from you.
How it is stored and how long I keep information
All digital notes and contact details are stored in password-protected, encrypted files. Personal information submitted through my website contact form and Calendly booking system is also stored securely and used only for the purpose of responding to enquiries, arranging appointments and providing counselling services. Client identities are anonymised wherever possible. Information is kept strictly confidential. Exceptions include severe risk of harm to yourself or others, legal obligations (such as a court order), or anonymous clinical supervision required by my professional body.
In accordance with insurance and professional guidelines, I retain your counselling records for 7 years after the end of therapy, after which they are securely deleted. Personal information relating to enquiries and bookings is retained only for as long as necessary for its intended purpose, unless a longer retention period is legally or professionally required.
You have the right to request access to the personal data I hold about you, request corrections, or ask for deletion where legally permissible.
How to complain
If you have any concerns about my use of your personal data, you can make a complaint to me using the contact details at the top of this privacy notice.
If you remain unhappy with how I’ve used your data after raising a complaint with me, you can also complain to the ICO.
The ICO’s address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
Last updated
23 September 2026