Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 22nd August 2025

AR Counselling (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

• Personal Information you provide: your name, email address, phone number, postal address, and any other details you provide when contacting us or booking counselling sessions.
• Special Category Data (sensitive information): information relating to your mental health, wellbeing, or personal circumstances that you choose to share during counselling.
• Technical Information: such as IP address, browser type, and usage data collected automatically when you use our website (via cookies or analytics tools).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To provide counselling services and communicate with you.
• To arrange, manage, and record appointments.
• To issue invoices, process payments, and maintain administrative records.
• To comply with legal, ethical, and professional obligations.
• To improve our services and website functionality.

We will never use your information for direct marketing without your explicit consent.

3. Confidentiality and Disclosure

Your information will be kept strictly confidential. We will only share information in the following circumstances:

• With your consent – if you have agreed in writing to share information with another professional (e.g., GP, solicitor).
• Legal or safeguarding duties – if we believe you are at serious risk of harming yourself or others, or where disclosure is required by law (e.g., court order, child protection concerns).
• Service providers – with trusted third parties who provide IT, scheduling, or payment services, who are bound by confidentiality and data protection agreements.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the UK GDPR, the lawful bases we rely on to process your personal data are:

• Contract – processing necessary to provide counselling services.
• Legal Obligation – compliance with professional and legal requirements.
• Consent – when you give us explicit consent to process sensitive data.
• Legitimate Interests – for the efficient running of AR Counselling.

5. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your information, including:

• Secure, encrypted storage of electronic records.
• Password-protected systems and restricted staff access.
• Confidential handling of paper records, securely locked when not in use.

6. Data Retention

Counselling records are retained for a minimum of 7 years after your last session, in line with professional and legal standards, after which they are securely destroyed.

7. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations).
• Restrict or object to certain processing of your data.
• Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the legal basis).
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how your data is handled: www.ico.org.uk.

Requests should be made in writing to the contact details below.

8. Cookies & Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies to improve user experience and collect anonymous analytics data. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, although some website features may not function properly as a result.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites.

10. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

AR Counselling
4A Nelson Arcade, Nelson Road, Greenwich, London SE4 2AP
amanda@frizbee.net
07479 817555