Privacy Policy

Last Updated:  20th November 2026

1. What is Counselling with Claire

Counselling with Claire is a person centred counselling service and is subject to the control of the counsellor - Claire Broad.
The policy information is under her supervision so she can decide how and why it is used.
It is operated to keep strictly in line with the Ethical Framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
If you have any questions about this policy or how your information is handled, please contact her using the email address below.

Email:

2. What this policy covers

This policy explains what personal information is collected when you:-
(a) Visit this website.
(b) Contact or inquire about counselling.
(c) Become a client.
Your privacy and confidentiality matters a great deal in counselling, so it is important for you to be given the necessary explanation.

3. Information collected

When you visit this website
Basic technical data such as IP address, browser type, device and pages visited, collected through cookies or similar technologies, (further details in section 8).

When you make an inquiry or book
Your name, email address, phone number and any message you choose to send.
Preferred appointment times and, if you choose to share it, a brief reason why you are seeking counselling.

When you become a client
Contact details, date of birth, GP details and an emergency contact.
Information you share about your health, wellbeing and personal circumstances. This may include mental and physical health, relationships, sexuality, religious beliefs, ethnicity or other sensitive matters. The law calls this “special category data”, and is treated with additional care.
Session notes and records of agreement, attendance, payments and any correspondence.
Where relevant, information about risk to you or others.

4. Why your information is held and lawful basis

Under UK data protection law (the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018) your information held must be for a lawful purpose.
The information is held to provide counselling safely and professionally:

Article 6 lawful basis (general personal data)
• Contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) — needed to deliver the counselling you have agreed to.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) — for enquiries before therapy begins.
• Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) — for financial/tax records.

Article 9 condition (special category / health data)
• Provision of health or social care (Art. 9(2)(h)) — Consent is not the basis for therapy records, because the counsellor is professionally required to keep accurate notes.

5. Confidentiality and when your information may be shared

What you disclose in all sessions is confidential. Identifiable information is not shared without your permission, except in the limited situations below, which are also set out in the counselling agreement:
• Serious risk of harm: where, in the counsellor's professional judgement, there is a serious risk of harm, and sharing is necessary to protect life.
• Safeguarding: where the counsellor has concerns about a child or a vulnerable adult.
• Legal duty: where required by law or a court order, for example in relation to terrorism, money laundering or certain serious crimes.
• Clinical supervision: The counsellor is required by the acting professional body to discuss her work with a qualified supervisor. Wherever possible this is without identifying the client.
• Emergency: if you are unwell during a session and the need to contact emergency services and/or your emergency contact is necessary.
Where possible the client will be told before sharing the information, unless doing so would increase the risk of harm.

It is unavoidable that trusted providers which are essential for the running of the counselling practice may have limited access to superficial information. This could include the following services: bank, email provider, video platform, web hosting company, accountant, insurer and professional body in the event of a complaint or claim. Data is never sold or used for advertising.

6. How your information is kept safe

Client notes and records are stored electronically in a password-protected, encrypted folder. This encrypted folder is backed up online for safe keeping.

Please Note:
Microsoft Teams is used for online sessions, but sessions are not recorded without the full consent of the client in writing.
Email is not a fully secure channel so please avoid sending sensitive details by this means.
Information is only kept when it is needed and only accessed when necessary.

7. How long your information is kept

• Client records: Kept for 7 years after therapy ends and then deleted.
• Inquiry emails from non‑clients: Deleted after inquiry has been answered and is no longer needed by either party.
• Website analytics data: kept only as long as required for reference before deletion.

8. Cookies and website tracking

All websites use essential cookies to enable them to function properly. The cookies used on this website which are not strictly necessary are only used with your consent, which you can give or withdraw through the cookie banner. You can also block cookies in your browser settings.

Contact and booking forms Information you have submitted to me is used only to respond to you or to arrange sessions. Please do not include detailed personal or medical information in an email message or the contact form.

This website links to reputable websites, but 'Counselling with Claire' is not responsible for their privacy practices.

9. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
• Be informed about how your data is used (this policy).
• Access your information.
• Correct inaccurate information.
• Request deletion (within legal/ethical limits).
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Request transfer of your data.
• Withdraw consent for optional processing.

To exercise any of these rights, contact . The counsellor will normally respond within one month. There is no fee unless a request is clearly unfounded or excessive. Confirmation of your identity may be required.

10. Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with how the counsellor has handled your information, please contact askcounsellingclaire@gmail, so every attempt can be made to correct any errors. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK data protection regulator:
• Website: ico.org.uk
• Telephone: 0303 123 1113
If your concern relates to professional conduct, you can also contact British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

11. Data breaches

If there is a data breach likely to put your rights and freedoms at risk it will be reported to the ICO within 72 hours. When necessary you will be notified, without undue delay, if the risk to you is high.

12. Children and young people

Counselling with Claire does not offer counselling to children and young people under the age of 18.