Natural Space Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy. This GDPR/ Privacy Policy sets out how any personal data I collect from you, or you provide to me, will be stored and processed confidentially.

 

ICO Registration Number: ZB659887

 

How I gather your personal information:

• Information which you provide email, and via any therapy directories and online platforms (eg. COSCA, Psychology Today, Counselling Directory, my website and social media pages) or by phone to request further information about my psychotherapy service.

• Usage data: IP address, browser type and pages visited, collected automatically through hosting tools and analytics.

• Email at naturalspacecounselling@protonmail.com or phone 07768 426194.

• Sensitive data: information related to your mental health voluntarily provided during communications or appointments e.g. intake form, brief session notes.

• Regarding online therapy, I use a secure hosting platform and additional safeguards to protect your information. However, no online platform is completely secure so I cannot guarantee absolute security.

 

Where I store your personal data:

• Personal data I collect from you via any form of contact by email or phone is kept securely.

• The pre-therapy intake form, contact details and brief session notes are stored on paper in a locked filing cabinet. Session notes are anonymised, using initials only.

• I take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy.

 

Uses made of the information:

• I use your contact details to provide you with information for the service you request from me, to allow you to tell me about changes to your availability, to notify you about changes in my availability, and any other relevant administrative changes.

• I use brief session notes to carry out my obligation arising from the agreement entered into between you and me (contract separate to this policy).

• As part of my commitment to providing a professional service, I attend Clinical Supervision regularly. This is bound by a confidentiality contract (separate to this policy) and details are anonymised to protect your identity.

 

How long I keep your information/notes:

• Text communication and emails are purged regularly. When therapy has finished, your phone number will be deleted from my phone.

• I retain your pre-therapy intake form and brief sessions notes while we work together. Once therapy has finished, I retain these documents for a further seven years in case you decide to return to therapy with me, this is also a requirement of my indemnity insurance. After this time the documents are destroyed.

 

Your rights:

• You are entitled to view, amend, or delete the personal information I hold for you. All requests must be in writing or by email and have one month to be actioned.

 

In the event of a data breach:

• I have a legal obligation to report a data breach to you and the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) within 72 hours.

 

Disclosure of your personal information:

• I do not share your personal information with third parties except:

• When under a duty to disclose or share your personal data in order to comply with a legal obligation. For example, if I am legally cited to court, or in a legal requirement such as safeguarding children or vulnerable adults, terrorism or money laundering.

• With service providers who operate my website.

 

Changes to the GDPR/ Privacy Policy:

• I will notify you of changes made to this privacy policy in the future.

 

Consent to the GDPR/Privacy Policy:

• Your use and undertaking of the services of Nova Pinfold at Natural Space Counselling constitutes your approval and acceptance of this agreement. You consent to my use, and storage of the personal information you disclose to me, as detailed above. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.