Note for Emma / before publishing: This is a starter draft to be reviewed and completed. Items in [highlighted brackets] need your details. Because counselling involves special-category (health) data, it’s strongly recommended to have these policies checked — the NCPS and the ICO (ico.org.uk) both offer guidance and templates for therapists.

Last updated: [date — to be set when published]

Privacy Policy

EOB Counselling (“I”, “me”, “my”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal information I collect, how I use it, and your rights under UK data protection law (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).

Who is responsible for your data

The data controller is Emma O’Brien, EOB Counselling.
Contact: [email — information needed from Emma here] · [phone — information needed from Emma here]
ICO registration number: [ICO registration number — register at ico.org.uk; information needed from Emma here]

What information I collect

• Enquiry details you provide through the contact form, email or phone — such as your name, email, phone number and what you tell me about your reason for getting in touch.
• Counselling records if you become a client — including brief session notes and a contract. These may include special-category (health) data.
• Technical data if analytics or cookies are used (see Cookies Policy below).

Why I use it and the lawful basis

• To respond to your enquiry and arrange sessions — lawful basis: legitimate interests / steps prior to entering a contract.
• To provide counselling and keep appropriate records — lawful basis: contract, and for health data, provision of health/social care or explicit consent.
• To meet legal, ethical and insurance obligations.

How long I keep it

Enquiry information that doesn’t lead to sessions is kept for [retention period — e.g. 6 months; confirm with Emma]. Counselling records are retained in line with professional and insurance requirements, typically [retention period — e.g. 7 years; confirm with Emma/insurer], then securely destroyed.

Who it’s shared with

Your information is kept confidential and is not sold or shared for marketing. It may be shared only where necessary: with my clinical supervisor (anonymised), where required by law, or where there is a serious risk of harm to you or others. Trusted service providers (for example [email/form/booking provider — information needed from Emma here]) may process data on my behalf under appropriate agreements.

Your rights

You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data, to object to or restrict processing, and to data portability. To exercise these rights, contact me using the details above. You also have the right to complain to the ICO (ico.org.uk).

Terms & Conditions

Sessions & fees

Sessions are 50 minutes. Fees are [fee per session — information needed from Emma here], payable by [payment methods — information needed from Emma here].

Cancellations

[Cancellation policy — e.g. notice period and any fee for missed/late-cancelled sessions — information needed from Emma here]

Confidentiality

What you share is confidential within the ethical framework of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), with the limited exceptions described in the Privacy Policy.

Professional standards

Emma O’Brien is an Accredited Member of the NCPS ([membership number — information needed from Emma here]) and works to its Code of Ethics. Professional indemnity insurance is held with [insurer — information needed from Emma here].

Website use

The content of this website is for general information about counselling services and does not constitute clinical or medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional help or emergency support.

Cookies Policy

This website currently uses [describe cookies — e.g. “only essential cookies”, or analytics such as Google Analytics; information needed once hosting/analytics are decided].

Essential cookies are needed for the site to work. Any analytics or marketing cookies will only be set with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time through your browser settings or the cookie banner. If no non-essential cookies are used, no banner is required.

Questions about this policy? Get in touch