Samantha White

Feel Better Counselling
ICO Registration Number: ZA885931

Your Privacy and Confidentiality

As part of your counselling with me, I collect and process personal information. This document explains how I handle your data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and my responsibilities as a registered Data Controller.

What Information I Collect

• Contact information – such as your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address
• Emergency contact and GP details – for safeguarding purposes
• Brief session notes – summarising key themes or areas we are working on together
• Assessment tools – if used, such as anxiety or depression questionnaires
• Correspondence – including emails or text messages related to appointment management

Why I Collect Your Information

• To provide you with safe and effective counselling
• To meet my legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities
• For insurance purposes, which require me to retain notes for 5 years after the end of our work together (or until age 18 + 5 years if you are under 18 when we begin therapy)

How Your Data is Stored

• Electronic notes are kept securely on a password and thumbprint-protected device
• Paper notes (if any) are shredded after being transferred to electronic format
• All data is stored securely and only accessible by me

How Long I Keep Your Information

• Brief counselling notes are kept for 5 years after the end of therapy, in line with the requirements of my professional insurance
• After this time, all records are securely deleted or destroyed

Confidentiality and Data Sharing

Your information is kept confidential and will not be shared without your consent, except in the following situations:

• If I am legally required to disclose information (e.g. court order, terrorism, money laundering)
• If there is a significant risk of harm to you or others
• If there are safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults
• For supervision purposes (required for safe practice), where client information is discussed anonymously

Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access your information
• Request corrections to your information
• Request that I delete your information (subject to insurance/legal requirements)
• Restrict or object to how your data is used
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data has been mishandled

ICO contact details:
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113

Contact Me

If you have any questions about this policy or how your data is handled, please contact me directly at:
Samantha White
Feel Better Counselling
sam@feelbettercounselling.uk
07726942813