Who I am
Geof Ellingham Counselling is an sole trader (Geof Ellingham) based in the United Kingdom. My website address is: https://geofellinghamcounselling.com.
This privacy notice aims to inform you about how I collect and process any information that I collect from you, or that you provide to me. It covers information that could identify you (“personal information”) and information that could not. In the context of the law and this notice, “process” means collect, store, transfer, use or otherwise act on information. It tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
I am committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. My policy is not just an exercise in complying with the law, but a continuation of my respect for you and your personal information.
I undertake to preserve the confidentiality of all information you provide to me, and hope that you reciprocate.
My policy complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 (Act) accordingly incorporating the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The law requires me to tell you about your rights and my obligations to you in regard to the processing and control of your personal data. I do this now, by requesting that you read the information provided at http://www.knowyourprivacyrights.org
Except as set out below, I do not share, or sell, or disclose to a third party, any information collected through my website.
What personal data I collect and why I collect it
Bookings
If you make a booking, I will store the details you provide so that I can send you information about your counselling session. I will also make brief notes about our sessions if we work together in line with good practice guidance from relevant professional bodies. This may include special personal information (about your race or ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life, sexual orientation, political opinions, trade union membership and information about your health) only if you choose to share it.
I may aggregate anonymous data such as statistical or demographic data for any purpose. Anonymous data is data that does not identify you as an individual. Aggregated data may be derived from your personal data but is not considered personal information in law because it does not reveal your identity.
For example, I may aggregate profile data to assess interest in a product or service.
However, if I combine or connect aggregated data with your personal information so that it can identify you in any way, I treat the combined data as personal information and it will be used in accordance with this privacy notice.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. The cookies used on my website do not store personal data. You can find out more about the cookies used on my website here.
Other information
Who I share your data with
I have regular supervision sessions with a qualified and experienced supervisor, with whom I discuss any ethical or other challenges that arise during counselling. Personal information is disclosed during these sessions only to the extent necessary to allow the supervisor to perform their role, and no personal data is shared in written or electronic form, nor are any notes containing personal data retained by the supervisor.
How long I retain your data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so I can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
For users that register on my website (if any), I also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
What rights you have over your data
You have the following rights in relation to your Data:
- Right to access – the right to request (i) copies of the information I hold about you at any time, or (ii) that I modify, update or delete such information. If I provide you with access to the information I hold about you, I will not charge you for this, unless your request is “manifestly unfounded or excessive.” Where I are legally permitted to do so, I may refuse your request. If I refuse your request, I will tell you the reasons why.
- Right to correct – the right to have your data rectified if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Right to erase – the right to request that I delete or remove your data from my systems.
- Right to restrict my use of your data – the right to “block” me from using your data or limit the way in which I can use it.
- Right to data portability – the right to request that I move, copy or transfer your data.
- Right to object – the right to object to my use of your data including where I use it for my legitimate interests.
To make enquiries, exercise any of your rights set out above, or withdraw your consent to the processing of your data (where consent is my legal basis for processing your data), please contact me via this e-mail address: info@geofellinghamcounselling.com.
If you are not satisfied with the way a complaint you make in relation to your data is handled by me, you may be able to refer your complaint to the relevant data protection authority. For the UK, this is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO’s contact details can be found on their website at https://ico.org.uk/.
It is important that the data I hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep me informed if your data changes during the period for which I hold it.
Where I send your data
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service. The computers and servers on which any personal data is held are located in the United Kingdom or the European Union.
How I protect your data
I will use technical and organisational measures to safeguard your Data, for example I store your data on secure servers and any sensitive personal data is encrypted at all times.
Technical and organisational measures include measures to deal with any suspected data breach. If you suspect any misuse or loss or unauthorised access to your Data, please let me know immediately by contacting me via this e-mail address: info@geofellinghamcounselling.com.
If you want detailed information from Get Safe Online on how to protect your information and your computers and devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other online problems, please visit www.getsafeonline.org. Get Safe Online is supported by HM Government and leading businesses.
Preparation of this privacy notice
This statement was prepared on 20 Feburary 2023. It was last reviewed on 27 May 2023.