Privacy notice
What I collect, why I have it, and what happens to it. Written to be read rather than skipped. If anything here isn't clear, please ask me.
Who I am
I'm Claire Dickety, an integrative counsellor working near Yeovil and online. I'm the data controller for the information described here.
Contact: hello@claire-counselling.co.uk or 07891 396 894.
ICO registration number to be added.
If you use the enquiry form
The form asks for your name, how you'd like me to reply, and anything you'd like me to know. Whatever you choose to write in that last box may include information about your health or wellbeing, which is why this notice exists.
What you send comes to me by email. I use it to reply to you and to arrange an introductory call. I don't share it with anyone, and I don't use it for marketing.
If we don't go on to work together, I delete your enquiry.
If we work together
| What I hold | Why |
|---|---|
| Your name and contact details | To arrange appointments and contact you. |
| An emergency contact, and your GP | Held in case of a serious concern about your safety. I'd only use it in the circumstances set out in the terms. |
| Brief session notes | To keep track of our work between sessions. |
| Dates and payments | Appointment records and accounts. |
| For young people: a parent or carer's details, and the address they'll be at for online sessions | Safeguarding, and arranging sessions. |
My notes are brief and factual. They're not a transcript, and they're kept in a way that wouldn't identify you if they were seen by someone else.
Where it's kept
To be completed: where Claire stores notes (locked cabinet, encrypted device, which service), and where enquiry emails are held.
Online sessions take place on Microsoft Teams. Sessions are never recorded.
How long I keep it
To be confirmed with Claire's insurer. Counsellors are generally required to keep records for a number of years after the work ends, and longer for young people. Once that period passes, records are securely destroyed.
The legal basis
For arranging and providing counselling, I rely on the contract between us, and on my legitimate interest in running the practice.
Counselling notes include health information, which has extra protection in law. For that I rely on the provision covering the provision of health and social care by a professional bound by a duty of confidentiality.
Where I'm required to disclose something by law, or to prevent serious harm, I rely on legal obligation and vital interests.
Who else sees it
Almost nobody. Specifically:
- My clinical supervisor, as part of the professional supervision every registered counsellor has. I don't use identifying details.
- My accountant, who sees payment records but not notes.
- Where the law requires it, or where there's a serious risk of harm, as set out in the terms.
I don't sell information, and I don't share it for marketing.
This website
This site doesn't use tracking or advertising cookies, and there's no analytics following you around. My web host keeps standard server logs.
Your rights
You can ask to see the information I hold about you, ask me to correct it, ask me to delete it, or object to how I'm using it. Some of these have limits. For example, I may need to keep records for a set period for insurance reasons even if you'd rather I didn't. If that applies, I'll explain why.
Just ask me, and I'll respond within a month.
If you're unhappy with how I've handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, or call 0303 123 1113.
Last updated 8 October 2026.