Privacy Policy

GDPR & Privacy Notice

1. Introduction

This Privacy Notice explains how Candle Mouse Counselling (run by Lorraine Golding, MBACP (Acc), PNCPS (Acc) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By engaging in counselling, you consent to the processing of your personal data as outlined below.

2. Data Controller

  • Lorraine Golding
  • Candle Mouse Counselling
  • Email: lorrainegolding45@gmail.com

Lorraine is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and complies with all legal requirements for data protection.

3. What Information Is Collected.

To provide counselling safely and professionally, the following information may be collected:

Personal Information

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Contact details (phone number, email address)
  • GP details (For safety)
  • Emergency contact (For safety)   

Therapeutic Information

  • Brief session notes (non‑identifying)
  • Information you share during sessions
  • Relevant background information you choose to provide

Administrative Information

  • Payment records
  • Appointment history
  • Emails or messages relating to scheduling or cancellations

4. Why Your Information Is Collected

  • Your information is collected for the following purposes:
  • To provide safe, ethical counselling
  • To maintain accurate records as required by professional standards
  • To contact you regarding appointments
  • To meet legal, ethical, and insurance obligations
  • To ensure your safety in case of risk or emergency

5. Legal Basis for Processing

  • Under UK GDPR, the lawful bases for processing your data are:
  • Contract: To deliver counselling services you have agreed to
  • Legitimate Interests: To maintain records and ensure safe practice
  • Vital Interests: To protect you or others in situations of serious risk
  • Legal Obligation: When required by law or safeguarding duties
  • Consent: For any optional information you choose to provide

6. Confidentiality and Sharing of Information

  • Your information is confidential and will not be shared unless:
  • There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others
  • There is a legal requirement (e.g., court order, national security)
  • Information is discussed in professional supervision, where only first names are used
  • You provide explicit consent to share information with another professional (e.g., GP)

Your information will never be sold, used for marketing, or shared with third parties for non‑therapeutic purposes.

7. Session Notes

  • Notes are brief, factual, and non‑identifying.
  • They are stored securely and separately from your personal details.
  • They are used only to support the therapeutic process and meet professional standards.

8. How Your Data Is Stored

  • Password‑protected digital files
  • Encrypted devices
  • Secure storage systems
  • Limited access (only by Lorraine)

No sessions are recorded unless explicitly agreed in advance.

9. How Long Your Data Is Kept?

  • In line with insurance and professional requirements:
  • Records are kept for five years after counselling ends
  • After this period, all records are securely destroyed

10. Your Rights Under GDPR

  • You have the right to:
  • Access your personal data
  • Request corrections to inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your data (where legally permissible)
  • Withdraw consent (where consent is the legal basis)
  • Restrict or object to processing
  • Request transfer of your data to another provider
  • Complain to the ICO if you believe your data has been mishandled
  • ICO website: ico.org.uk

11. Communication

  • Lorraine will only contact you regarding:
  •  Appointments
  •  Cancellations
  •  Illness
  •  Essential administrative matters
  • Therapeutic material will not be discussed by email or text.

12. Website and Online Sessions

The Candle Mouse Counselling website may collect basic analytics (e.g., visitor numbers).

Online sessions are conducted using secure platforms, but no online communication can be guaranteed 100% risk‑free. You are responsible for ensuring privacy at your end (e.g., using a confidential space)

13. Updates to This Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal or professional requirements. You will be informed of any significant updates.

14. Acknowledgement

By engaging in counselling with Candle Mouse Counselling, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Notice.