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Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the following services are available for immediate support.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

• Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS)
• 0131 537 6000, or call NHS 24 on 111

The Edinburgh Crisis Centre

• edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk
• 0808 801 0414 (Freephone)

Samaritans (Edinburgh & the Lothians)

• samaritans.org/branches/edinburgh
• 116 123 from any phone

Breathing Space (depression and anxiety)

• breathingspace.scot
• 0800 838 587

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)

• samh.org.uk/find-help
• 0131 556 9302

iThrive Edinburgh

Directory of local mental health services, available at iThrive Edinburgh.

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Privacy Notice

This privacy notice explains how I collect, use and protect your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Controller

I am a sole trader and the Data Controller for the personal information you provide.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and comply with UK data protection legislation. I also adhere to the professional and ethical standards of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Why I Collect Personal Information

I collect and process personal information for the following lawful purposes:

• To provide counselling, psychotherapy and supervision services
• To communicate with you regarding enquiries and appointments
• To maintain appropriate clinical records of our work together
• To ensure I am providing a safe, ethical and professional service in accordance with UKCP standards
• To meet legal, regulatory and insurance requirements
• To protect your safety or the safety of others where necessary
• To process payments for services provided

Information I May Collect

The personal information I may collect includes:

• Your name, address, email address and telephone number
• Details of an emergency contact person
• Relevant background information that may support therapeutic work (for example age, employment, relationships or health information where appropriate)
• Records of communication between us such as emails, messages or phone calls
• Appointment records and payment information
• Brief counselling notes relating to our sessions

These records help ensure continuity of care and allow me to provide counselling in a safe and professional way.

Third-party providers involved in communication or financial transactions (such as email providers or banks) may also process limited personal information as part of their services.

How Your Information Is Stored

I take appropriate steps to keep your information secure.

• Digital records are stored on password-protected devices and secure systems.
• Paper records, where used, are stored in a locked and secure location.
• Only information necessary for the provision of counselling services is retained.

Confidentiality and Sharing Information

Confidentiality is a central principle of counselling and psychotherapy practice.

Your personal information will be kept confidential and will only be shared in the following circumstances:

• If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others
• If required by law or by a court of law
• With my professional supervisor as part of ethical practice and clinical supervision
• With professional bodies, insurers or regulators in the event of a formal complaint
• With your emergency contact where there is significant concern for your safety
• With a professional executor in the event of my incapacity or death

As required by the ethical standards of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, I participate in regular clinical supervision. When discussing client work in supervision, identifying information is minimised or anonymised wherever possible.

Email Communication

Please note that email is not always a secure form of communication.

I do not currently use encrypted email services, so any emails sent between us may not be fully secure while in transit. For this reason, it is advisable not to include highly sensitive or confidential information in emails where possible.

By contacting me via email, you acknowledge and accept this potential risk.

How Long Information Is Kept

I keep personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined above and to meet professional and legal obligations.

Typically:

• Counselling records and notes are retained for a limited period after therapy ends in line with professional guidance.
• Administrative records such as contact details and appointment records are deleted when no longer required.

After the retention period, paper records are securely destroyed and digital records are permanently deleted where possible.

Marketing

I will not use your personal information for marketing purposes. I will only send information about services or updates if you have specifically requested this.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information I hold about you
• Ask for inaccurate information to be corrected
• Request the deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances
• Restrict or object to certain types of data processing
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

Further information about your rights can be found on the website of the Information Commissioner's Office.

Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information is handled, please raise this with me in the first instance.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office, the UK regulator responsible for data protection.

Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy notice or how your personal information is handled, please contact me using the details provided on this website.

Use of Cookies

When someone visits this website, third-party services may collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. This information is used to understand things such as how many people visit the website and which pages are viewed most often.

This information is processed in a way that does not identify individual visitors.

Cookies may be used on this website to help gather this information. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device that allows the website to recognise returning visitors.

The website may use:

• Session cookies, which are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a period of time and help recognise repeat visits

These cookies are used only to help improve the website and understand how it is used.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings if you prefer not to accept them.

This privacy information may be updated from time to time in line with legal, regulatory, or professional requirements.