Cookie Policy
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Updated 25th September 2024
Privacy Policy
June 2026
1.Introduction
Laura Fitzpatrick Counselling is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This privacy
policy explains when and why I collect personal information, how I use it, who I share it with and
how I keep it secure in compliance with GDPR. It is important that you take the time to read this
notice so that you understand how I will use your personal data and your rights in relation to your
personal data.
2. Data Collection
I collect and process the following types of personal data:
Personal Identification Information: Name, address, email address, phone number (including
permission to send text message or leave a voicemail), occupation.
Health and Counselling Information: Details related to your mental health, treatment plans,
session notes, medication and any other information you provide during your sessions.
Emergency Contact: Name and telephone number.
GP: Name, address and telephone number.
Payment Information: Bank account details, payment card information, and transaction history.
Technical Information: IP addresses, cookies, and usage data collected through my website or
other communication channels.
3. Data Security
Your personal data is stored as follows:
Some personal data may be recorded electronically on third party software such as One Drive. All
third-party software used is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations Act
2018.
All data stored electronically is password protected and the passwords are regularly changed.
All paper records are stored in a locked filing cabinet within securely locked premises and names
are coded for privacy.
Information may be stored on various electronic devices such as telephone number or text
messages on a password protected business phone or email account. These will be deleted one
month after our final session.
My house, next to the location of my office has a ring door bell. The activation area is limited to
the fronted garden but not the drive so it will not be activated as you walk down the drive. All
history is wiped each day so any image of you entering the office is deleted. If you would rather
it switched off for your session please let me know.
4. How I Use Your Data
I use your personal data for the following purposes:
Provision of Services: To provide counselling and mental health services to yourself or teenager.
Communication: To communicate with you regarding your appointments, sessions, or any other
related matters.
Billing and Payment Processing: To process payments and manage your account.
Improvement of Services: To improve our services, based on feedback and usage patterns.
Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
5. Data Sharing
Everything you share with me is confidential but there are some exceptions to this:
Safeguarding and prevention of harm: If I feel you or someone else is at significant risk of danger I
may have to share information.
Legal Obligations: When I am required by law to share your data, such as with regulatory bodies,
law enforcement, or other authorities. Please inform me of any forthcoming court cases you may be
involved in. There are also legal obligations in terms and involvement in money laundering, drug
trafficking, terrorism, or aspects of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Clinical Supervision: In accordance with the BACP guidelines I receive regular supervision where
clients are discussed with a qualified supervisor. Only your first name would be used to ensure
privacy. In the event of my death, or incapacity, I will have written a ‘Clinical Will’ which will let a
Clinical Executor, usually the clinical supervisor, have access to basic contact information to tell you
what has happened. The Clinical Executor does not have access to your case notes, which will be
securely destroyed.
Professional advisors or third party professionals: I may share your data with professionals such as
an accountant or mortgage advisor, whereby your name may be seen on a bank statement.
However, all third party service providers are required to have appropriate security measures in
place in accordance with GDPR.
6. Data Retention
I retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was
collected, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Typically, this will be:
Clinical Records: Retained for 7 years after the last treatment session (up to the age of 25 for a
child under 16 when last seen and up to the age of 26 for a 17–18-year-old), in compliance with
professional guidelines and insurance purposes. After this period, they will be deleted.
Payment Information: HRMC requires us to keep accounts information for six years, plus the current
tax year, so up to seven in total. This will simply be a record of invoices and/or payments.
Communication information: email or texts are used to communicate, re-arrange or cancel
counselling. It is requested that specific content related to our sessions is not emailed to me and I
will not respond to this. Any websites that you access are recorded and retained for a period by the
Internet Service Provider (ISP). Although highly unlikely, it is possible for the ISP to read the emails
saved to the log. Any emails between us form part of the written notes that are compiled as part
of your counselling relationship.
Social Media Communication: You are free to follow ‘Laura Fitzpatrick Counselling’ social media sites,
such as Linked In, Facebook or Instagram, but bear in mind if you comment others can see this and
may assume you are attending counselling sessions. No counselling queries are responded to via
social media and friend requests are not accepted on social media accounts.
Business Review communication: I welcome reviews on business sites but bear in mind these are
public forums, and your identity may be revealed.
GPS Tracking: To ensure your own privacy, you may wish to adjust settings on any GPS tracking
systems you have on your phone or watch as it enables others to see when you are attending
sessions.
7. Your Rights
I am required to collect personal information about you and your health in order to provide you with the
best possible service. Under the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
The right to refuse me processing your personal data. I will need to discuss if you wish not to give
personal information as it may not be safe for you to continue with this service.
The right to access the personal data I hold about you.
The right to withdraw your consent for me to process your personal data at any time.
The right to request that I rectify your personal data if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
The right to request that I erase your personal data. Please note that there may be circumstances
where you ask us to erase your personal data, but I am legally entitled to retain it.
The right to object to the processing of your personal data for marketing purposes.
The right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you think that your personal data
has been misused by us.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
My website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyse
usage patterns. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.
9. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and where
appropriate, notified to you by email or other means. Please check back regularly to stay informed of
updates.
10. Complaints
If you have any concerns about how we use your personal information, you can submit a complaint to
me by email at laurafitzpatrickcounselling@gmail.com. I will acknowledge your complaint and
investigate it as soon as reasonably practicable. If you remain dissatisfied after I have responded, you
have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). ICO
Registration Number: 00017917308