Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

1. Who I Am

Julie Lisle Counselling ("I", "me", "my") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Data Controller

Julie Lisle Counselling

Website: www.julielislecounselling.co.uk

Email: info@julielislecounselling.co.uk

Telephone: 07834 366917

As the Data Controller, I am responsible for deciding how your personal information is collected, used and protected.

2. Personal Information I Collect

Depending on how you interact with my services, I may collect:

Website enquiries

Name
Email address
Telephone number
Information you provide in contact forms or emails

Prospective and current clients

Name
Address
Date of birth
Contact details
Emergency contact details
GP details (where relevant)
Information relating to your mental health, wellbeing and counselling needs
Session notes and records
Appointment and payment information

Website usage data

My website may collect limited technical information such as:

IP address
Browser type
Device information
Pages visited
Cookie preferences

3. Special Category Data

Counselling services involve the processing of information relating to health, emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Under UK GDPR, this information is classified as "special category data" and receives additional legal protection.

I process this information only where permitted by law and where necessary for the provision of counselling services.

Where special category data is processed, processing is carried out in accordance with Article 9 UK GDPR and applicable provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018

4. Why I Collect Your Information

I may use your information to:

Respond to enquiries
Arrange appointments
Provide counselling services
Maintain client records
Manage payments and administration
Meet professional and ethical obligations
Protect clients and others from serious harm
Comply with legal obligations
Improve website performance and security

5. 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 requested by you.

Legitimate Interests

For the administration and management of my practice and to communicate with clients and prospective clients.

Legal Obligation

Where I am required to comply with legal, regulatory or safeguarding obligations.

Explicit Consent

Where consent is required, particularly in relation to special category data.

6. Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a fundamental part of counselling.

Information shared during counselling sessions is treated as confidential.

However, confidentiality may be broken where:

There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person.
Safeguarding concerns arise involving a child or vulnerable adult.
Disclosure is required by law.
Disclosure is required by a court order.
Professional or regulatory obligations require disclosure.

Where possible, concerns will be discussed with you before information is shared.

7. Clinical Supervision

As part of professional practice, I undertake regular clinical supervision.

Limited information about counselling work may be discussed with a qualified supervisor to ensure safe and effective practice.

Your identity will not normally be disclosed unless there is a specific professional reason for doing so.

Supervisors are also bound by confidentiality and professional standards.

8. Who I Share Information With

I do not sell personal information.

Information may be shared only where necessary with:

Clinical supervisors
Professional advisers
IT and website service providers
Payment service providers
Regulatory bodies
Safeguarding agencies
Emergency services
Courts or legal authorities where required

All sharing is limited to what is necessary and lawful.

9. How Long Information Is Kept

Website enquiries

Enquiry emails and contact form submissions are generally retained for up to 12 months unless a counselling relationship is established.

Client records

Counselling records are generally retained for 7 years after the end of counselling services unless a longer retention period is required by law, safeguarding obligations, insurance requirements or professional guidance.

At the end of the retention period, records are securely destroyed.

10. Website Cookies and Analytics

My website uses cookies and similar technologies to operate effectively and understand website usage.

You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie settings available on the website.

Non-essential cookies will only be used where appropriate consent has been provided.

Further information can be found in the Cookie Policy.

11. Data Security

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from:

Unauthorised access
Accidental loss
Misuse
Disclosure
Alteration
Destruction

These measures include secure devices, password protection and secure storage practices.

12. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access your personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information in certain circumstances
Restrict processing in certain circumstances
Object to processing in certain circumstances
Request transfer of your data where applicable
Withdraw consent where consent is relied upon

Not all rights apply in every circumstance and some exemptions may apply to counselling records.

13. Making a Privacy Request

You may contact me to:

Request access to your data
Correct information
Update information
Request deletion
Raise concerns about data protection

Please contact:

Email: info@julielislecounselling.co.uk

Telephone: 07834 366917

I will normally respond to valid data protection requests within one month as required by UK GDPR.

14. Data Protection Complaints Procedure

If you are unhappy with how I have handled your personal information, you have the right to make a complaint.

How to make a complaint

Please contact me in writing by email or post and provide:

Your name
Contact details
Details of your concern
Any relevant dates or correspondence

What happens next

I will:

Acknowledge receipt of your complaint
Investigate the issue fairly and promptly
Review any relevant records
Respond with the outcome of the investigation
Explain any action taken where appropriate
I will normally acknowledge complaints within 5 working days and aim to provide a substantive response within 30 calendar days.

Escalating a complaint

If you remain dissatisfied after receiving my response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: www.ico.org.uk

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, professional obligations or business practices.

The latest version will always be available on this website.