Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

1. Who I am

Gemma Davis MBACP is the Data Controller for the personal information collected through this website and within my counselling practice.

I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice, please contact me using the details on the Contact page.

2. Information I collect

If you make an enquiry

I may collect:

• Your name

• Email address

• Telephone number (if provided)

• Information you choose to include in your enquiry

Submitting an enquiry does not create a counselling relationship.

If you become a client

I may also collect:

• Registration forms (completed electronically or on paper)

• Counselling agreement

• Appointment records

• Email correspondence relating to your therapy

• Brief handwritten session notes

• Emergency contact details where appropriate

I only collect information necessary to provide counselling safely, ethically and professionally.

3. Why I collect your information

Your information is used to:

• Respond to enquiries

• Arrange appointments

• Provide counselling services

• Maintain appropriate client records

• Meet legal, ethical and professional obligations

• Manage my counselling practice

4. Lawful basis for processing

Personal information is processed under one or more of the following lawful bases:

• Legitimate Interests

• Contract

• Legal Obligation

• Special Category Data provisions relating to the provision of counselling services

5. How your information is stored

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information.

This includes:

• Website enquiries received securely via my website

• Emails stored securely using Gmail

• Registration forms completed electronically or on paper

• Handwritten client notes stored securely

• Password-protected electronic accounts

• Access to client information restricted to me

6. Third-party providers

To operate my practice I use trusted service providers, including:

• Hostinger – website hosting

• Google (Gmail) – email services

These providers process information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable data protection legislation.

7. Confidentiality

Everything discussed within counselling is treated as confidential.

Confidentiality may only be broken where:

• there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person;

• safeguarding responsibilities require disclosure;

• disclosure is required by law or court order.

As part of good professional practice, I undertake regular clinical supervision. Client work may be discussed anonymously, with identifying information removed wherever possible.

8. Data retention

If your enquiry does not result in counselling, your personal information will normally be deleted once it is no longer required.

Adult client records are retained for 7 years after counselling has ended.

.Records are then securely destroyed unless there is a legal or professional reason to retain them for longer.

9. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information.

• Request correction of inaccurate information.

• Request erasure where applicable.

• Request restriction of processing.

• Object to processing in certain circumstances.

• Request data portability where applicable.

• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

10. Complaints

If you have concerns about how I handle your personal information, please contact me in the first instance so I have the opportunity to resolve your concerns.

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) using reference ZB739651.

11. Changes to this Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation or my practice. The most recent version will always be available on this website.

COOKIE POLICY

Last updated: July 2026

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function correctly and can improve your browsing experience.

Cookies used on this website

This website uses essential cookies only. These cookies are necessary for the website to function correctly and securely, including the operation of the website and its built-in spam protection.

I do not currently use:

• Google Analytics

• Advertising cookies

• Marketing cookies

• Meta/Facebook Pixel

• Social media tracking cookies

Managing cookies

When you first visit this website, you will be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to manage your cookie preferences.

You can also control or delete cookies at any time through your web browser settings.

Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of this website.

Changes to this Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation or the way this website uses cookies.