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Privacy Notice

​Confidentiality is of paramount importance in counselling and psychotherapy.  This policy describes my arrangements for collecting and storing information, in line with GDPR requirements.

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  • I am the Data Controller, which means that only I have access to the information I keep.  I am registered with the ICO (Registration Number:  ZC045986).

  • I keep your personal details (name, address, date of birth, phone and email address) as well as your GP's contact details along with your signed consent in a locked cabinet.​

  • I keep your anonymous initial assessment form and brief notes from our sessions locked separately to your personal details. 

  • ​You have a right to ask me to delete your personal information, to limit how I use your personal information, or to stop processing your personal information. You also have a right to ask for a copy of any information that I hold about you and to object to the use of your personal data in some circumstances. You can read more about your rights at Information Commissioner's Office.

  • ​I keep client records for seven years after counselling has finished, after which they are securely destroyed.

  • ​If we exchange emails your email address and copies of any emails will be stored in my email system.

  • ​Your phone number is stored with your Christian name and last name initial on a smart phone so that we can communicate about session times / delays / cancellations/payment arrangements.  

  • Information I collect from you will only be shared with third parties if:

    • there is an immediate risk that you will take your own life or endanger others. I will do my best to discuss this with you first.  I am also required by law to breach confidentiality if you disclose information about serious crime such as acts of terrorism, proceeds of drug / arms, people trafficking and money laundering.

    • I were unable to contact you due to serious illness, accident or death.   Under these circumstances I have appointed a trusted colleague, to access my records in order initially to make contact with you.  If necessary they will access your assessment/notes if a referral to another therapist is required or when your records need to be destroyed.

  • ​As a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I work within their Ethical Framework.  You can view this framework and the BACP complaints procedure here:  https://www.bacp.co.uk

  • ​I attend regular clinical supervision where I may discuss our work together.  Your identity will never be disclosed during these discussions.  My supervisor is also a member of the BACP and bound by the same Code of Ethics.

  • ​You have the right to withdraw from counselling at any time.  For more information on your rights under GDPR legislation please go to the Information Commissioner’s Office: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/individual-rights/

Privacy Policy for Visitors to my website

Last Updated: 17/12/2025

 

1. Introduction

Welcome to Mountains To Climb Counselling ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://www.mountainstoclimbcounselling.co.uk. Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

 

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, such as your name, email address, and contact details when you fill out a form, subscribe to a newsletter, or otherwise contact us. We may also automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate the website, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and access times.

 

3. Use of Your Information

We may use the information we collect from you to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain our website.

  • Improve, personalize, and expand our website.

  • Understand and analyze how you use our website.

  • Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.

  • Send you periodic emails, such as newsletters, promotional materials, and other information that may be of interest to you, if you have opted-in.

  • Find and prevent fraud.

 

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information unless we provide users with advance notice. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or serving our users, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release information when its release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.

 

5. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.

 

6. Cookies and Web Beacons

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our service and hold certain information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our website.

 

7. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data.

  • The right to rectification – You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate.

  • The right to erasure – You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions.

 

8. Children's Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13.

 

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

 

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: debbie@mountainstoclimbcounselling.co.uk

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