Privacy Policy

I take your privacy seriously. This page explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal information when you contact me or begin therapy.

What information I collect

When you get in touch or begin therapy with me, I may collect:

• Your contact details (name, email address, phone number)
• Information you choose to share about your background, health, or wellbeing
• Notes I make during or after sessions
• Payment details (for invoicing or record-keeping)

Why I collect it

I use this information so that I can:

• Provide a safe and professional counselling service
• Communicate with you about appointments or changes
• Keep records in line with legal, ethical, and insurance requirements
• Meet my professional duty of care and safeguarding responsibilities

How I store it

Your information is kept securely — on a password-protected pen drive, stored in a locked cabinet that only I can access.

I do not share your data with anyone else unless I am legally required to do so (for example, in serious safeguarding situations or if ordered by a court).

Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first.

How long I keep it

Client records are kept for seven years after therapy ends, in line with professional and insurance guidance.

Financial records are also held for seven years as required by HMRC.

After this time, all records are securely deleted.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Ask to see the information I hold about you
• Request corrections if something isn’t accurate
• Ask for your information to be deleted, where legally possible
• Raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how your data is handled

Contact

If you have any questions about this notice or how I handle your data, please contact me at hannahashworththerapy@gmail.com 

You can also request to see my full Privacy Policy, which includes more detailed information about data processing and retention.