Privacy Policy

What Information I Collect

In order to provide counselling safely and effectively, I may collect the following information:

Personal Information

  • Name.

  • Contact details, including telephone number and email address.

  • Date of birth.

  • Address (where provided).

  • Emergency contact details.

  • GP details (where provided).

Counselling Information

This may include:

  • Information you share during an initial assessment and counselling sessions.

  • Your reasons for seeking counselling.

  • Relevant personal history.

  • Mental health information.

  • Health information that you choose to share.

  • Information relating to risk and safeguarding where appropriate.

Administrative Information

This may include:

  • Appointment details.

  • Payment records.

  • Correspondence relating to your counselling.

Why I Collect Your Information

I collect and use your information in order to:

  • Provide counselling services safely and professionally.

  • Maintain appropriate clinical records.

  • Contact you regarding appointments.

  • Manage payments and administration.

  • Meet my professional responsibilities as a counsellor.

  • Respond appropriately to safeguarding or emergency situations where necessary.

Lawful Basis for Processing Information

Under UK GDPR, personal information is processed on the following lawful bases:

Contractual necessity:
To provide counselling services that you have requested.

Legitimate interests:
To maintain appropriate professional records, manage my practice and provide safe and ethical counselling.

Legal obligation:
Where I am required to share information by law.

Vital interests:
Where sharing information is necessary to protect you or another person from serious harm.

Health information is considered special category data under UK GDPR. This information is processed only where necessary to provide counselling and meet my professional obligations.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a fundamental part of counselling.

Information shared during counselling sessions will remain private except in circumstances where there is a serious concern about safety or a legal requirement to disclose information.

Examples include:

  • A serious risk of harm to yourself or another person

  • Safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult

  • A legal requirement, such as a court order

  • Information relating to serious crime where disclosure is required

Where possible, I will discuss any need to share information with you beforehand.

Clinical Records

I keep brief, relevant counselling notes after sessions.

These notes help me:

  • Support continuity of your counselling.

  • Reflect on our work together.

  • Maintain safe professional practice.

Notes are factual and focused on information relevant to your counselling.

Professional Supervision

As an MBACP counsellor, I attend regular clinical supervision.

Supervision allows me to reflect on my work and maintain ethical and professional standards.

I may discuss aspects of my work with clients during supervision, but your identity will remain confidential. Identifying details will not be shared unless there is a legal or safeguarding reason to do so.

How Your Information Is Stored

Your information is stored securely using practice management software.

I take appropriate steps to protect your information, including:

  • Using password-protected devices.

  • Keeping digital systems secure.

  • Limiting access to client information.

  • Using secure methods of storing and transferring information.

  • Safely disposing of information when it is no longer required.

How Long I Keep Your Information

Counselling records are retained for five years after counselling ends.

After this period, records are securely destroyed unless there is a legal, professional or insurance requirement to retain them for longer.

Sharing Your Information

Your information will not be shared with others without your knowledge unless there is a lawful reason to do so.

Information may be shared when necessary with:

  • Healthcare professionals involved in your care, with your consent where appropriate.

  • Emergency services where there is an immediate risk of serious harm.

  • Relevant authorities where there is a legal requirement to disclose information.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have rights relating to your personal information, including:

  • The right to know how your information is used.

  • The right to request access to your personal information.

  • The right to request correction of inaccurate information.

  • The right to request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.

  • The right to object to certain processing where applicable.

  • The right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Please note that the right to request deletion of information may be limited where records need to be retained to meet professional, legal or insurance obligations.

Website Privacy

If you visit the Open Nest Counselling website, information may be collected through website technologies such as cookies.

Any information collected through the website will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.