Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Bernadette Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it is stored, and your rights regarding your personal data.

2. Data Controller

The Data Controller for Bernadette Counselling is:

Bernadett Somlai
Bernadette Counselling

I am registered as the Data Controller with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

ICO Registration Number: C1554117

3. Personal Information We Collect

With your consent, I collect personal information from and about you for the purpose of contacting you regarding counselling sessions and providing my counselling services.

I may collect the following information:

• Full Name
• Postal Address
• Email Address
• Telephone Number
• Next of Kin Details
• GP Details (for emergency purposes during online or telephone counselling sessions)

If you contact me using the website contact form, I will also receive the information you voluntarily provide within your enquiry.

4. How Your Information Is Used

Your personal information is used only for purposes connected with providing counselling services, including:

• Responding to your enquiries.
• Arranging counselling appointments.
• Providing counselling services.
• Contacting you regarding appointments.
• Emergency contact where necessary.
• Complying with legal obligations where applicable.

Your personal information will never be sold, rented or shared for marketing purposes.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Your personal information is processed under one or more of the following lawful bases:

• Your consent.
• Performance of a contract for counselling services.
• Legitimate interests relating to the safe provision of counselling.
• Compliance with legal obligations.

6. Data Storage and Retention

I store your personal information securely using appropriate technical and organisational measures.

Your contact information is retained throughout the duration of counselling and for 2 months after counselling sessions have concluded. After this period, your personal information will be securely deleted unless I am legally required to retain it for longer.

7. Confidentiality

Everything discussed during counselling sessions is treated as confidential.

Confidentiality may only be broken where required by law or where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, in accordance with professional and legal obligations.

8. Website Data

When you visit this website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Pages visited
• Date and time of your visit

This information is used solely for website security, maintenance and performance monitoring.

9. Cookies

This website may use essential cookies required for the proper operation of the website.

If optional cookies, such as analytics cookies, are used, they will only be activated where required by law after obtaining your consent.

10. Third-Party Services

This website may use trusted third-party service providers, including:

• Website hosting provider
• Email provider
• Telephone provider

These providers process personal information only where necessary to deliver their services and are required to keep your information secure.

11. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your personal data where appropriate.
• Request restriction of processing.
• Object to processing in certain circumstances.
• Request transfer of your data where applicable.
• Withdraw your consent where processing is based on consent.

You have the right to ask what personal information Bernadette Counselling holds about you at any time.

12. Complaints

If you believe there has been a breach of your personal data, please speak with me directly in the first instance.

If for any reason you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

ICO Registration Number: C1554117

Website: https://ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Postal Address:
Information Access Team
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF