Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 29 June 2026
Your privacy matters to me .As an Counsellor, I understand the importance of trust and confidentiality. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you contact me, visit my website or engage in counselling or psychotherapy.I process your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Data Controller: Mariana Aleksieva
Email: aleksievatherapy@gmail.com. I am the Data Controller responsible for the personal information you provide.
What Information I Collect
Depending on your relationship with my practice, I may collect:
Identification Information
Name Date of birth. Postal address. Email address Telephone number. Health Information.
As part of providing therapy, I may collect special category personal data including: Information about your mental health. Medical history where relevant. Medication information where relevant GP details Emergency contact details. Clinical assessment information. Session notes. Risk assessments. Financial Information. Payment history. InvoicesTransaction referencesI do not store your bank card details.
How I Collect Information
Information may be collected when you: Complete the website contact form Email or telephone me Book an appointment Attend therapy sessions Complete assessment forms Make payments Visit my website
Why I Collect Your Information
Your information is used to: Respond to enquiries Arrange appointments Provide counselling and psychotherapyMaintain accurate clinical records. Assess and manage risk. Communicate with you about appointments.Process payments.Meet legal, insurance and professional obligationsI only collect information that is relevant to providing a safe and effective therapeutic service.
Lawful Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR I process personal information using one or more of the following lawful bases: Performance of a contract Legitimate interests Compliance with legal obligationsFor health information (special category data), processing is carried out for the provision of health and social care and, where appropriate, with your explicit consent.
Confidentiality
Everything you share in therapy is treated as confidential. There are a small number of circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, including:where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another personsafeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adultwhere disclosure is required by law or court orderwhere disclosure is necessary to prevent serious crimeWhere possible, I will discuss this with you before any information is shared.
Clinical Supervision
I receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework.Client information discussed during supervision is anonymised and shared solely for professional support and to maintain safe, ethical practice.
How Your Information Is Stored
Your information is stored securely using password-protected and encrypted electronic systems .Paper records, where used, are stored securely with restricted access. I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.
How Long I Keep Information
I retain records only for as long as necessary.Typical retention periods are:Clinical records: 7 years after the end of therapy.Financial records: 6 years in accordance with HMRC requirements.Data protection complaint records: 6 years.Website enquiries that do not lead to therapy: usually deleted within 12 months.Information is securely destroyed once it is no longer required.
Sharing Information
Your information will never be sold or used for marketing purposes without your consent.Information may be shared only:with your written consentwhere legally requiredwhere there are safeguarding concernsfor professional supervision in anonymised formwith insurers or legal advisers if necessaryif required by court order
Your Rights
You have the right to:request access to your personal informationrequest correction of inaccurate informationrequest erasure where applicablerequest restriction of processingobject to certain processing activitiesrequest a copy of your information in a portable format where applicablewithdraw consent where consent is the legal basisRequests should be made in writing.I aim to respond within one calendar month unless legislation allows otherwise.
Website Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve functionality and understand how visitors use the site. Anonymous analytics cookies may be used to help improve the website. Where required by law, you will be offered appropriate cookie choices.You can change your cookie preferences through your browser settings at any time.
Third-Party Services
This website may use trusted third-party providers, such as website hosting, online appointment systems or video conferencing platforms.These providers process data in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable data protection legislation.
Data Protection Complaints Procedure
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, I encourage you to contact me first so I can try to resolve the matter.You may submit a complaint by email at aleksievatherapy@gmail.com.I will:acknowledge your complaint within 30 calendar daysinvestigate your concerns fairlyaim to resolve the complaint within three monthskeep a confidential record of the complaint for six yearsIf you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).Information Commissioner's Office
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, professional guidance or the way my practice operates.The latest version will always be published on this website.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact me :Mariana Aleksieva
Counsellor Email: aleksievatherapy@gmail.com