Who we are

Community Counselling is a counselling service that provides emotional support and therapy. We are the data controller for the personal information we hold about you.

If you have any questions about your data, you can contact our Data Protection Lead.

What information we collect

We may collect and process:

• Name and contact details

• Date of birth or basic personal details

• Health and wellbeing information

• Counselling session notes

• Appointment and attendance records

• Safeguarding information (where necessary)

We only collect information needed to provide safe and effective counselling.

Why we use your information

We use your data to:

• Provide counselling and therapy services

• Manage appointments and communication

• Keep confidential clinical records

• Meet legal and safeguarding responsibilities

• Maintain service safety and quality

Lawful basis for processing your data

We process your personal data under UK GDPR:

• Contract – to provide counselling services

• Legal obligation – for safeguarding or legal requirements

• Legitimate interests – for running our service safely

• Article 9 (health data) – for counselling and therapy purposes

Where consent is used, you may withdraw it at any time.

How we store your data

Your information is stored securely using appropriate safeguards, including:

• Password-protected systems

• Encrypted digital storage

• Secure cloud services (where used)

• Locked storage for paper records

Only authorised counsellors or staff can access your data.

How long we keep your data

We normally keep counselling records for 5 years after your last session.

After this time, records are securely deleted or destroyed.

Sharing your information

We treat your information as confidential and only share it when necessary:

• Safeguarding concerns (risk of harm)

• Legal requirements or court orders

• Trusted service providers (under strict data agreements)

We only share the minimum information required.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data

• Correct inaccurate information

• Request deletion (where applicable)

• Object to or restrict processing

• Withdraw consent (where used)

• Request a copy of your data

• Complain to the ICO

🔗 https://ico.org.uk

Data security

We take data security seriously and use appropriate measures to protect your information from:

• Loss

• Unauthorised access

• Misuse

• Accidental disclosure

Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or your data:

Data Protection Lead
Community Counselling
Katie.communitycounselling@gmail.com

Updates

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.