Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 25th November 2024

At ARTful Minds Counselling, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you visit our website or use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address (provided through contact forms or when booking a session).
Session Details: Notes and records of our sessions are confidential and stored securely in compliance with professional standards.
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, and usage patterns through cookies or analytics tools to improve website functionality.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used only for the following purposes:

To respond to your inquiries or messages.
To schedule and manage counselling sessions.
To send newsletters, updates, or promotional content (if you opt-in).
To comply with legal and professional obligations.

3. Data Sharing

We respect your confidentiality and will never share, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties. Data may only be shared under the following circumstances:

With your explicit consent.
If required by law (e.g., safeguarding or legal obligations).
With service providers who assist in operating the website, subject to strict confidentiality agreements.

4. Data Storage and Security

We take appropriate measures to protect your data, including:

Secure encrypted storage for session notes and personal data.
Regular updates to ensure our website and systems remain secure.
Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. These cookies may collect technical data to analyse traffic and improve website performance.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
No personally identifiable information is collected through cookies.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your data:

Access: Request access to your personal data.
Correction: Correct inaccuracies in your personal information.
Deletion: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal or ethical record-keeping obligations.
Withdraw Consent: Opt-out of receiving promotional emails or communications.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies separately.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in legal, regulatory, or operational requirements. Updates will be posted here with a revised effective date.

9. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact us at:

Email: artfulmindscounselling@gmail.com
Phone: +44 07368956444

Compliance with Professional Standards

This Privacy Policy aligns with the ethical and professional guidelines of BACP and NCPS.

GDPR Privacy Policy

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data under GDPR

We process Personal Data under the following conditions:

Consent: You have given explicit consent for us to process your Personal Data for one or more specific purposes.
Performance of a Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfil an agreement with you or to take pre-contractual steps at your request.
Legal Obligations: Processing is required to comply with a legal obligation.
Vital Interests: Processing is necessary to protect your vital interests or those of another natural person.
Public Interests: Processing is related to a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in us.
Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, except where such interests are overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms.

If you need clarification on the specific legal basis for processing your data, or whether providing Personal Data is statutory, contractual, or necessary for entering into a contract, please contact us.

Your Rights under the GDPR

We respect your privacy and are committed to ensuring you can exercise your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you are in the European Union (EU), you have the following rights:

Access: Request access to the Personal Data we hold about you and receive a copy.
Correction: Request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure: Request the deletion of your data when it is no longer necessary or if you withdraw consent.
Object to Processing: Object to processing if based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
Restrict Processing: Request restricted processing under certain circumstances.
Data Portability: Request the transfer of your data to you or a third party in a structured, machine-readable format.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time.

Exercising Your GDPR Data Protection Rights

To exercise your rights, please contact us at:

Email: artfulmindscounselling@gmail.com
Phone: +44 07368956444

We may require verification of your identity before responding to ensure data security. We aim to respond promptly and within legally required timeframes.

If you are dissatisfied with how we handle your Personal Data, you have the right to file a complaint with a Data Protection Authority in your country or within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Additional GDPR Information

For more information about GDPR and your data protection rights, please visit the website of your local Data Protection Authority or the European Commission’s GDPR page.