Privacy Policy

Last updated: 24 September 2025

At Willow & Waves Counselling, I am committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how I collect, use, store and safeguard your personal information in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What information I collect

  • Your name and contact details (e.g. phone number, email address).
  • Information you choose to share when making an enquiry or during sessions.
  • Administrative details such as appointment dates, payment records and related correspondence.

How I use your information

Your information is used only to:

  • Arrange and provide counselling sessions.
  • Respond to enquiries and manage appointments.
  • Keep appropriate records as required by my professional body and insurance.
  • Communicate with you about sessions or changes to my service.

I will never sell your information or share it with third parties for marketing.

Lawful basis for processing

  • Contract: to deliver counselling sessions you request.
  • Legal obligation: to maintain records required by law or my professional body.
  • Legitimate interests: to run my practice responsibly and safely.

Confidentiality and safeguarding

Everything shared in counselling is treated as confidential. The only exceptions are where there is a legal duty or serious safeguarding concern (for example, if there is risk of harm to yourself or others). Where possible, I will discuss any necessary steps with you before acting.

How I store your information

  • Records are kept securely with appropriate technical and organisational safeguards.
  • Contact details are stored separately from session notes.
  • Session notes are anonymised and kept to the minimum necessary.
  • Records are retained for up to seven years after our work ends, then securely destroyed.

Your rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal information I hold about you.
  • Ask for corrections if your data is inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Request deletion of your data, where applicable.
  • Restrict or object to how your data is used.
  • Request a copy of your data in a portable format.

To exercise these rights, please contact me using the details below.

Contact

Amy Timms
Willow & Waves Counselling
Email:
Phone: 07471 436045

If you remain unhappy with how your data is handled, you can raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).