Organisation: Local Counselling
ICO registration number: ZC217080
Last updated: 30 September 2026
Local Counselling is the controller of your personal information. You can contact us at info@localcounselling.co.uk, Shelley on 07713 931064, or Jonathan on 07383 976912.
Information we use
When you make an enquiry, book an appointment or complete a Client Information and Working Agreement form, we may collect your name, date of birth, email address, telephone number, selected service and counsellor, appointment details, preferred attendance method, payment status, emergency contact details, GP details where provided, accessibility or communication needs where provided, agreement confirmations and related correspondence.
During counselling, you may choose to share information about your health, wellbeing, relationships and personal circumstances. This can include special category data, which receives additional protection under data protection law.
Please provide only the information requested in online forms and do not enter detailed clinical information into the booking form. You can discuss anything relevant directly with your counsellor.
Why we use your information
We use personal information to respond to enquiries, arrange and provide counselling, administer appointments and payments, record working agreement confirmations, communicate changes and reminders, keep appropriate professional records, meet legal and safeguarding responsibilities, and handle concerns or claims.
Depending on the circumstances, our lawful bases may include taking steps before entering into a contract, performing our contract with you, complying with legal obligations, legitimate interests in running a safe professional practice, protecting vital interests, and consent where required. Where special category data is involved, we also identify an appropriate condition under Article 9 of the UK GDPR.
Booking, forms, payment and communication services
We use trusted suppliers where needed to operate the practice:
- SimplyBook.me and SBPay.me provide the appointment booking and payment interface and related notifications.
- Stripe securely processes card payments.
- PayPal securely processes payments when you choose PayPal. Local Counselling does not receive your complete card details or PayPal login information.
- Zoom provides secure video and audio connections for online appointments.
- Google Calendar supports scheduling and helps prevent conflicting appointments.
- Microsoft 365 provides our business email service. Microsoft Forms is used to collect and store client information and working agreement confirmations. OneDrive or SharePoint may be used to store exported or related records.
- GoDaddy hosts this website.
These suppliers process only the information needed to provide their services and have their own privacy and security arrangements. Some suppliers may process information outside the United Kingdom using recognised safeguards.
Confidentiality and sharing information
Information shared in counselling is treated as confidential, but confidentiality is not absolute. Relevant information may be shared only:
- With your permission for an agreed purpose.
- In clinical supervision, using anonymised information wherever possible.
- Where disclosure is necessary to protect you or another person from serious harm, or to meet safeguarding responsibilities.
- When disclosure is required by law or a valid court order.
Where it is possible, safe and lawful to do so, your counsellor will aim to discuss the disclosure with you first and will share only the information that is necessary. We do not sell your personal information.
How long we keep information
Completed Client Information and Working Agreement submissions become part of the counselling record. Records connected with the counselling relationship are normally retained for seven years after the work ends, unless a legal, insurance or professional requirement means a different period applies. Routine enquiries that do not lead to counselling are kept only for as long as reasonably needed.
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information, including limiting access to the appropriate counsellor, using password-protected systems and choosing established service providers. No internet service can be guaranteed completely secure, so please avoid sending detailed sensitive information by ordinary email, text message or the booking form.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, correct it, ask for it to be erased, restrict or object to its use, receive a portable copy, and withdraw consent where processing relies on consent. Some rights are subject to legal exceptions.
To make a request, contact info@localcounselling.co.uk. You can learn more from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
How to complain
Please contact us first if you have concerns about how we use your information. If you remain unhappy, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Website: Make a complaint to the ICO