Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice explains how Evermore Counselling collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data (Use and Access) Act.

Contact Details

Data Controller: Karen Boness
Practice Name: Evermore Counselling
Address: 1st Floor, 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire, SG19 2NP
Email: evermorecounselling22@gmail.com
Telephone: 07594 600738
ICO Registration Number: ZB376167

What Information Do I Collect?

When you contact me or access counselling services, I may collect the following personal data:

Name
Address
Telephone number
Email address
Date of birth
GP contact details
Emergency contact details

I may also process information relating to your wellbeing, mental health, personal circumstances, and counselling needs. This is classified as Special Category Data. You only need to provide information that is necessary for me to offer counselling safely and effectively.

How I Use Your Information

I use your personal information to:

Respond to your initial enquiries.
Arrange, schedule, and provide counselling sessions.
Maintain accurate client and clinical counselling records.
Contact you regarding appointment changes or scheduling.
Meet professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities.
Manage my counselling practice safely and effectively.

Lawful Basis for Processing

If you enquire about counselling or enter into therapy with me, I process your personal information because it is necessary for the performance of a contract (the provision of counselling services).

Because some information you share may be considered special category data (including information about your health or mental wellbeing), this information is processed strictly in accordance with UK GDPR requirements relating to the provision of health and social care services.

Confidentiality

Everything discussed during counselling is treated as strictly confidential. There are, however, limited circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken:

If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person.
If there are concerns about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult.
If disclosure is required by law or a court order.

Where possible, I will always discuss this with you first before taking any action.

Counselling Records

I keep brief, paper-based counselling notes to support a safe, ethical, and professional practice. These records are stored securely and kept entirely separate from your personal contact details. Clinical records are securely retained for seven years following the end of our counselling relationship, after which they are permanently and securely destroyed.

Communication

You may contact me by telephone, email, text message, or through my website contact form. I aim to keep all communications secure and confidential. However, no electronic communication can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Online Counselling

Where online counselling is provided, sessions may take place via secure platforms such as WhatsApp Video or Google Meet. These services have their own standalone privacy policies and security arrangements.

Website, Cookies, and Analytics

My website is hosted by Wix. Like most websites, it may use cookies and analytics tools to help understand how visitors navigate the site and to improve overall website performance.

This information is collected anonymously and does not identify individual visitors. If you complete a contact form on my website, the information you provide will only be used to respond to your specific enquiry. If you do not proceed with counselling, your enquiry information will usually be deleted within one month unless there is a legitimate reason to retain it.

Sharing Information

Your personal information will never be sold, rented, or shared with third parties unless:

You have given explicit consent.
It is necessary to protect someone from serious harm.
I am legally or regulatory required to do so.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

Request access to your personal information.
Request the correction of inaccurate information.
Request the restriction or deletion of processing in certain circumstances.
Object to processing in certain circumstances.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact me directly using the contact details provided above.

Data Protection Complaints Process

If you have any concerns or complaints about how I handle your personal information, please contact me directly at evermorecounselling22@gmail.com or on 07594 600738.

In accordance with current UK data laws, I operate a formal internal data complaints procedure:

I will formally acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt.
I will investigate the matter thoroughly without undue delay and keep you updated on my progress.
I will communicate the final outcome and any remedial actions to you directly.

You also maintain the legal right to lodge a formal complaint directly with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent data authority, if you feel your complaint cannot be resolved with me directly.

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Website: www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

If your complaint relates specifically to my professional practice as a therapist, you may also contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Telephone: 01455 883300

Changes to this Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time to accurately reflect changes in legislation, professional requirements, or the specific services I provide.