Privacy Policy | Therapy-with-ingrid

Introduction

Ingrid Armstrong is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and securely.

This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect your personal data when you make enquiries about counselling services, attend counselling sessions, visit my website, or communicate with me.

I comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal information is:

Ingrid Armstrong
Counsellor
Email: Ingrid.armstrong5@outlook.com
Website: https://www.therapy-with-ingrid.com

Information I Collect

I may collect and process the following information:

Personal Information

Name
Address
Telephone number
Email address
Date of birth
Emergency contact details

Counselling Information

Information shared during counselling sessions
Assessment notes
Session notes
Relevant health or wellbeing information that you choose to share

Website Information

If you visit my website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies or website analytics, such as:

IP address
Browser type
Pages visited
Time spent on the site

How I Use Your Information

I use your personal information to:

Respond to enquiries
Arrange appointments
Provide counselling services
Maintain professional records
Manage payments and invoices
Fulfil legal, ethical and professional obligations
Contact you regarding appointments or service-related matters

Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, I process personal information under the following lawful bases:

Performance of a contract (to provide counselling services)
Legitimate interests (running and managing my practice)
Legal obligations
Explicit consent where required, particularly when processing special category data relating to health and wellbeing

Confidentiality

Everything discussed during counselling is treated confidentially. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional circumstances, including:

Where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others
Where there is a legal requirement to disclose information
Where concerns arise regarding safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults
Where disclosure is required by a court order

Where possible, I will discuss any necessary disclosure with you first.

Online Counselling

For online counselling sessions, I use secure communication platforms wherever possible.

While every reasonable effort is made to protect confidentiality online, no electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed as completely secure. Clients are encouraged to use a private location and secure internet connection during online sessions.

How Your Information Is Stored

Client records are stored securely, and access is restricted to Ingrid Armstrong only.

Information may be stored:

Electronically using password-protected systems
In secure digital files
In locked storage where paper records are maintained

Appropriate measures are taken to prevent unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure of data.

Retention of Records

Client records are retained only for as long as necessary to meet professional, ethical, insurance and legal requirements.

Records are typically retained for a period consistent with professional guidance and are securely destroyed when no longer required.

Sharing Information

Your information will not be sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

Information may be shared only when:

Required by law
Necessary for safeguarding purposes
Required by professional insurers or legal advisers
Discussed anonymously within professional supervision as required by ethical practice

Supervisors are also bound by confidentiality and professional standards.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access your personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request erasure of information where applicable
Restrict processing of your information
Object to processing in certain circumstances
Request transfer of your data where appropriate
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

Some rights may be subject to legal or professional limitations.

My website may use cookies to improve user experience and understand website performance.

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information is handled, please contact me first so that I can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner's Office
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on my website.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

Ingrid Armstrong
Counsellor
Email: Ingrid.armstrong5@outlook.com
Website: https://www.therapy-with-ingrid.com