Privacy Policy
Last Updated: May 2026
At Cosy Chair Counselling, I am committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This policy explains when and why I collect personal information, how I use it, and how I keep it secure.
1. Who am I?
I am Katie, a Cheshire-based Integrative Counsellor and the founder of Cosy Chair Counselling. For the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I am the ‘Data Controller’.
ICO Registration Number: ZC137136
Contact Email: hello@cosychaircounselling.co.uk
2. The Information I Collect
To provide you with the best possible support, I collect the following types of data:
- Personal Identity Data: Name, date of birth, and gender.
- Contact Data: Address, email address, and telephone number.
- Emergency Contact Details: Name and number of a person you trust.
- Special Category (Sensitive) Data: Brief session notes, GP details, relevant medical history.
- Website Data: If you use my contact form, I collect the information you provide. My website may also collect "cookies" to improve your browsing experience.
3. How I Use Your Information
I use your data primarily to provide counselling services to you. Under GDPR, the "Lawful Basis" for this is:
- Contract: To fulfil our agreement for therapy.
- Health and Social Care: To provide safe and ethical mental health support (Article 9).
4. Confidentiality and Sharing
Your privacy is my priority. I will never sell your data or use it for marketing without your consent. However, there are specific times when I may share your information:
- Clinical Supervision: As part of my ethical practice, I discuss my work with a supervisor using pseudonymized data.
- Risk of Harm: If I believe there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else.
- Terrorism / Money Laundering: I am legally bound to disclose information regarding these specific acts.
- Legal Obligation: If required by a court of law.
- Clinical Will: In the event of my sudden incapacity or death, a professional executor would contact you.
5. How I Store Your Data
Digital Data: Stored on password-protected devices with high-level encryption.
Paper Records: Minimal handwritten session notes are kept in a locked filing cabinet.
Retention: Records are generally kept for 7 years. For minors, this is 7 years after their 18th birthday.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to access, rectify, or request the erasure of your data (subject to legal and insurance retention requirements). If you have concerns, please speak to me first; you also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
7. Cookies
This website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users. You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings.
