Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 24/07/2026

I am committed to protecting and respecting your privacy and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure and will only be used for the purpose it was given to me. 

This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and store your personal information when you use my services or visit my website.

I, Jennifer Edwards, am the Data Controller responsible for your personal data. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

ICO Registration Number: ZC192168

Information I collect

To provide counselling services, I may collect:

• Personal information; including your name, date of birth, address, email address, and telephone number

• Emergency contact and GP details

• Information relating to your mental and physical health

• Anonymised clinical notes relating to our counselling sessions

• Payment and invoicing information

• Information you provide when contacting me through my website, email, or telephone

• Technical data (via website); IP address, Cookies, browser type and version

 

How I Use Your Data

I use your information to:

• Provide counselling services

• Maintain clinical records

• Arrange appointments and communicate with you

• Process payments

• Meet legal, professional, and insurance requirements

• Protect your safety where there is a serious risk of harm

• To imporve website by analysing website usafe and enhance user experience

 

Lawful Basis for Processing your data

I process your data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you provide explicit consent to process sensitive data

• Contract: To fulfil my obligations to provide counselling services

• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

• Legitimate Interests: To improve services and ensure website functionality

• Vital Interests: where necessary to protect life or prevent serious harm

 

Confidentiality and Sharing Information

Information shared within counselling is treated as confidential. Information will only be shared where:

• There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person

• There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult

• Disclosure is required by law or court order

• Information is discussed anonymously in professional supervision. My supervisor is a member of the BACP and as such they are bound by the same confidentiality rules as myself.

I may also use trusted service providers, such as email, video conferencing, or accounting providers, who process data securely on my behalf. Where these providers process data outside the UK, appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) are enforced to protect your privacy. I take reasonable steps to ensure that online sessions are conducted securely and confidentially. However, as with any online communication, there are limits to what can be guaranteed when information is transmitted over the internet.

 

How Your Information Is Stored

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information.

Clinical notes are anonymised. Identifying information is stored separately from clinical records. Written records are kept in a secure, locked filing cabinet. Electronic data is kept on password-protected and biometrically secured devices.

Online counselling sessions are conducted through secure encrypted platforms and are not recorded.

 

How Long I Keep Your Information

• Counselling records are retained for seven years following the conclusion of therapy, as recommended by professional guidelines.

• Financial records are retained in accordance with HMRC requirements.

• Website Data: Retained for the duration that the website is live

• Text messages and emails are not retained for more than 1 month for security reasons. If there is relevant information contained in a text message or email I will record the information securely in my notes system. 

After these periods, records are permanently deleted or written records are shredded.

 

Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have rights in relation to your personal information, including the right to access your data, request correction of inaccurate information, and, in certain circumstances, request that processing be restricted or that data be erased.

To exercise any of your rights, please contact me at jennniferedwardscounselling@gmail.com

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

 

Complaints

If you have any questions or concerns about how I have handled your personal information, please do get in touch in the first instance so that I can understand and address your concerns. Please contact me in writing at: jenniferedwardscounselling@gmail.com

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

 

Changes to This Privacy Policy

I may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of our services or website constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.