Privacy notice

Last updated: August 2026

This explains how I collect, use, store and protect personal information in my counselling practice. I'm Alice Bradshaw, a person-centred counsellor working in person, online and by telephone. I'm the data controller for the information I hold, which means I'm responsible for how it's used and for keeping it safe. You can reach me at alicebradshawtherapy@gmail.com or 07761 099159.

What I collect

When you contact me, I collect your name, your contact details, and whatever you choose to share in your enquiry. If we begin working together, I also collect relevant information for our work, such as emergency contact details, brief notes of our sessions, and appointment and payment records. Some of this is sensitive information about your health or wellbeing, which I only collect where it's necessary for counselling.

Why I hold it and my lawful basis

I use your information to respond to enquiries, arrange and provide sessions, keep appropriate records, manage payments, and meet my professional and legal responsibilities. I keep your information because it's necessary to provide the service and to meet my professional obligations, rather than on the basis of your consent. Where I hold sensitive information such as health information, I do so on the basis that it's necessary for providing health or social care.

Confidentiality

What you share in sessions is confidential. The only reason I would break that is if I were concerned about you or someone else coming to harm, where a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk, or where I'm required to by law. Wherever possible I'd talk this through with you first. I discuss my work in supervision to practise safely, and my supervisor is bound by the same confidentiality. I don't share anything that would identify you.

Records and how long I keep them

I keep brief, factual session notes and your contact and appointment details. I hold these securely and they're seen only by me. I keep client records for 7 years after our work ends, after which they're securely destroyed. Enquiry information from people who don't go on to become clients is deleted within 12 months. Financial records are kept as long as tax and accounting rules require.

Where your information is stored

I use Gmail for email, Teams for online sessions, and bank transfer for payments. Session records are stored securely in a locked cabinet. Where I use outside providers, I choose reputable ones with appropriate security.

AI, recording and transcription

I don't record, transcribe or use AI tools to process counselling sessions. I may use digital tools for general practice administration but I don't put identifiable client information into them.

Online sessions

If we work online, I'll take reasonable steps to protect confidentiality from my side and ask you to be somewhere private and uninterrupted. Online platforms may process technical information such as your connection data. You may wish to read the platform's own privacy notice for more detail.

This website

Enquiries sent through this site come directly to my email inbox and are not stored on the website. No analytics or advertising cookies are used on this site.

Sharing your information

I won't share your information unless there's a clear and lawful reason. Where necessary I may share limited information with my supervisor, my professional advisers (such as an insurer or accountant), my professional body in relation to a complaint, or emergency or safeguarding services where there's serious risk. I share only what's relevant and necessary.

Your rights

You have the right to be told how your information is used, to ask for a copy of it, to have inaccurate information corrected, and to ask for it to be deleted in some circumstances. Some of these are not absolute, as I may need to keep certain records for legal, professional or insurance reasons. To exercise any of these, contact me using the details above, and I'll respond within one month.

Raising a concern

If you have a concern about how I've handled your information, you can contact me at alicebradshawtherapy@gmail.com. I'll acknowledge it within 30 days and look into it without undue delay. If you're not satisfied with my response, or would prefer to contact the regulator directly, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113. I'm registered with the ICO.