Claire West Counselling

Last updated: June 2026

Introduction

 

Claire West Counselling is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored and protected when you visit this website, make an enquiry, book an appointment, attend counselling sessions or participate in workshops and groups.

 

Claire West Counselling is the Data Controller for the purposes of UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

 

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact:

Claire West Counselling
Email: clairewestcounselling@outlook.com

 

What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal information:

Information you provide

• Name

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Postal address (where relevant)

• Information included in enquiry forms, booking forms or emails

• Information provided during counselling sessions

 

Special Category Data

 

As a counselling practice, some information you provide may include special category personal data, including information relating to:

• Physical health

• Mental health

• Emotional wellbeing

• Family relationships

• Personal circumstances

 

This information is treated with the highest level of confidentiality and is only processed where necessary to provide counselling services.

 

Information collected automatically

When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected, including:

• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device information

• Pages visited

• Date and time of visits

• Website usage information

 

How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

• Respond to enquiries

• Arrange and manage appointments

• Provide counselling services

• Administer workshops and group activities

• Maintain client records

• Comply with legal and professional obligations

• Improve website performance and security

 

We will never sell your personal information to third parties.

Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, personal data is processed under one or more of the following lawful bases:

Legitimate Interests

To respond to enquiries and manage the counselling service.

Contract

Where processing is necessary to provide counselling services that you have requested.

Legal Obligation

Where records must be maintained to comply with legal, insurance, safeguarding, taxation or regulatory requirements.

 

Explicit Consent

Where special category personal data is processed, this is done with your explicit consent and/or where processing is necessary for the provision of health-related support services.

 

Online Booking System

This website uses Wix and associated booking services to manage appointments and enquiries.

Information submitted through the booking system may be processed and stored securely by Wix and its authorised service providers.

 

For further information, please refer to the Wix Privacy Policy.

 

Sharing Your Information

Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared with third parties except where:

• You have given consent

• There is a legal requirement to disclose information

• There are safeguarding concerns involving serious risk of harm

• Information is shared anonymously during professional supervision

• Professional advisers, insurers or regulators require access as part of legitimate professional obligations

Any sharing will be limited to what is necessary and proportionate.

 

Data Retention

Website enquiry information will normally be retained for up to 12 months.

Where an enquiry becomes part of a counselling relationship, information will be retained in accordance with Claire West Counselling's professional record-keeping requirements.

Client records are generally retained for 7 years after counselling ends, or longer where required by law, insurance requirements or safeguarding considerations.

After this period, information will be securely deleted or destroyed.

 

Data Security

Appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place to protect personal information from:

• Unauthorised access

• Loss

• Misuse

• Alteration

• Disclosure

While every effort is made to secure information transmitted online, no internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

 

Cookies

This website uses essential cookies required for the operation, security and functionality of the website.

Where non-essential cookies are used, visitors will be given the opportunity to manage their cookie preferences through the website's cookie settings.

You can also control cookies through your browser settings.

 

Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to external websites.

Claire West Counselling is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. Visitors should review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.

 

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access your personal information

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request erasure of information where appropriate

• Restrict processing

• Object to processing

• Request transfer of your information where applicable

• Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent

 

Requests can be made by contacting:

clairewestcounselling@outlook.com

 

Complaints

If you have any concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact Claire West Counselling in the first instance so that the matter can be investigated and resolved.

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

 

Changes to this Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time.

The latest version will always be available on this website and the date of the most recent update will be shown at the top of the policy.