Privacy Policy mental health

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Calm Within Therapy is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how I collect, use, and store your personal information when you access counselling with me, visit my website, or contact me.

• Calm Within Therapy is an independent counselling practice based in [Scunthorpe / North Lincolnshire].
   
• Data Controller: Carla Grocock
   
• Contact: Carla@Calmwithintherapy.com
   

I may collect the following personal information:

• Name, date of birth, address, email, and phone number.
   
• GP or emergency contact details (for safety purposes).
   
• Information you share during assessment and counselling sessions.
   
• Notes I make to support our therapeutic work.
   
• Payment details (if applicable).
   

Your information is used for:

• Providing counselling services safely and effectively.
   
• Contacting you about appointments.
   
• Managing payments.
   
• Meeting professional, ethical, and legal requirements.
   

Under GDPR, the main lawful bases I rely on are:

• Contract: to provide the counselling service you have requested.
   
• Legal obligation: if I am required to share information by law (e.g. safeguarding concerns, court order).
   
• Consent: where you have given clear consent (e.g. contacting your GP).
   

Everything you share in counselling is kept confidential unless:

• You request in writing that I share information.
   
• I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm.
   
• I am required by law (e.g. terrorism, money laundering, court order).
   

• Session notes are kept securely (encrypted / password protected / locked storage).
   
• Contact details are stored separately from session notes.
   
• Records are kept for [e.g. 7 years] in line with professional guidelines, then securely destroyed.
   

You have the right to:

• Access a copy of the information I hold about you.
   
• Request corrections if your data is inaccurate.
   
• Request erasure of your data (where legally possible).
   
• Restrict or object to how your data is used.
   
• Lodge a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office, www.ico.org.uk).
   

If you use my website or online counselling platform:

• Cookies may be used to improve your browsing experience.
   
• Online sessions are conducted using secure, GDPR-compliant platforms.
   

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is used, please contact me:

• Calm Within Therapy
   
• Carla Grocock
   
• Email:carla@calmwithintherapy.com