Privacy Policy | Alice Joyce Counselling

Last Updated: 18/06/26

About This Privacy Policy

Alice Joyce Counselling is committed to protecting your personal information and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable UK data protection legislation.

This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit my website, contact me, or engage in counselling services.

Data Controller

The Data Controller responsible for your personal information is:

Alice Joyce Counselling

Email: AliceJoyceTherapy@gmail.com

ICO Registration Number: ZB863853

Information I Collect

When you contact me regarding counselling services, I may collect:

Your name
Telephone number
Email address
Any information you choose to provide during your enquiry

If you become a counselling client, I may also collect information necessary for the provision of counselling services, including information relating to your health, wellbeing and personal circumstances. Personal information is kept separately from any counselling notes wherever possible.

Special Category Data

Information disclosed during counselling may include information about your physical or mental health. Under UK GDPR, this is classified as special category data.

Where such information is processed, I rely on the relevant UK GDPR provisions that permit the processing of health-related information for the provision of therapeutic services and for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims where necessary.

Lawful Basis for Processing

I process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:

Contract – where processing is necessary to provide counselling services.
Legitimate Interests – to manage enquiries, appointments, administration and professional practice.
Consent – where consent is required for specific activities.
Legal Obligation – where I am required by law to retain or disclose information.

How Information Is Stored

Personal information is stored securely using password-protected electronic systems and secure devices. I keep an anonymised record of counselling session dates and, where necessary, brief notes regarding themes discussed for therapeutic and professional purposes. Any paper records are stored securely in locked storage. I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

Confidentiality and Disclosure

Counselling sessions are confidential. However, there are limited circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, including:

Where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person.
Where there are safeguarding concerns relating to a child or vulnerable adult.
Where disclosure is required by law, court order, or other legal obligation.

Where possible, I will discuss any necessary disclosure with you before information is shared.

In accordance with professional ethical standards and codes of practice, I participate in Clinical Supervision. Information discussed in supervision is anonymised wherever possible and shared only for the purpose of maintaining safe, ethical and effective practice.

Who Information May Be Shared With

Your information may be shared with:

Clinical supervisors (in anonymised form wherever possible).
Professional advisers and insurers where necessary.
Secure IT, email, website hosting or administrative service providers.
Regulatory, safeguarding or legal authorities where required by law.

I do not sell personal information to third parties.

Website Usage Information

When you visit my website, hosted by Wix.com, certain information is automatically collected, including technical information about your device, browser, IP address and how you use the website.

I use this information to help maintain the security and functionality of the website, understand how visitors use the site, and improve the services and information I provide.

Where website analytics or non-essential cookies are used, these will only be activated where required by law after you have provided your consent through the website's cookie banner. Essential website functions are processed on the basis of my legitimate interests in operating and securing my website.

I do not use the information collected through website analytics to identify individual visitors, and I do not attempt to discover the identities of those visiting my website.

Wix.com acts as a service provider for website hosting and related services. You can read Wix.com's Privacy Policy on their website.

Data Retention

If you proceed with counselling, personal information and counselling records will normally be retained for seven years following the end of therapy in accordance with professional insurance and record-keeping requirements.

After this period, records will be securely destroyed or permanently deleted.

If you contact me but choose not to proceed with counselling, your personal information will normally be deleted within one week unless there is a legitimate reason to retain it for longer.

You may request earlier deletion, although this may not always be possible where legal, regulatory or professional obligations apply.

International Transfers

In most circumstances, I do not transfer personal information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred outside the UK, I will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.

These safeguards may include adequacy regulations, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA), or other legally approved transfer mechanisms.

Cookies and Analytics

My website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality and user experience. For information about the cookies and analytics technologies used on this website, please see my Cookie Policy.

Where analytics tools such as Google Analytics are used, they may collect information such as:

Browser type
Device information
Pages visited
Time spent on pages
General usage information

This information does not normally identify you personally.

Where required by law, non-essential cookies will only be used with your consent.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website functionality may be affected.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Be informed about how your personal information is used.
Access your personal information.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request erasure of your personal information where applicable.
Request restriction of processing.
Object to processing in certain circumstances.
Request data portability where applicable.
Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Questions, Requests and Complaints

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact:

Email: AliceJoyceTherapy@gmail.com

I will acknowledge your complaint and investigate it promptly.

I will respond to you within a reasonable period and inform you of the outcome of my investigation and any actions taken.

If you remain dissatisfied with how I have handled your personal information, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). ICO Website: https://ico.org.uk/

I welcome feedback and suggestions regarding my data protection practices and will always seek to resolve concerns wherever possible.