The Counselling Living Room

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Privacy policy


Introduction

This page explains how I look after and use any information you give me as a visitor to my website or when you ask about my services.  It also explains your privacy rights.

Data Controller

As a sole trader, I (Indira Chima) am the Data Controller and am registered as such with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The lawful basis under which I process your personal data is Contract.

Counselling Agreement

If you choose to meet me for counselling, our initial session will include talking through the Counselling Agreement, which is the contract between us.  This Agreement explains how we’ll work together if you engage me as your counsellor.  It lets you know what you can expect from me and what I expect from you in return.  It also lets you know how I protect and process the personal data I hold about you.

If you are an existing or previous client, the Counselling Agreement explains how I look after and use the information I have about you.

Why I collect your information

If you are not an existing or previous client, there are two main reasons why I might collect and use information about you:-

  • To respond to an enquiry you’ve make about my service
  • To monitor the effectiveness of my website, and/or other marketing activity

Your contact details

The contact details I collect, store and use come from our conversations, emails, texts, phone calls and your use of my website.

I’ll only use this information to respond to your specific enquiry.  I’ll never pass your contact details on to anyone else and I’ll never use them for any other purpose.

If I don’t hear back from you after a few weeks or if you choose not to work with me, I’ll delete your contact details and any other information you’ve sent me.

Protecting your information

My website has a valid SSL certificate.  This is shown by the closed padlock to the left of the address bar on your browser.  It means that when you enter your contact details on the site, there’s a secure connection between your computer and my website.

Analytics and cookies

I use Google Analytics, which uses cookies to gather information about the use of my website.  The information gathered includes your location and IP address and is used only to create reports that help me make my website and marketing activities more effective and relevant.

Find out more about how Google processes information.

Our cookies

Your privacy rights

You have rights in relation to the data I’ve collected about you.  For example, you have a right to receive a copy of the data I hold and you have right to ask me to remove data from my records. Find out more about your rights on the ICO website.

Find out more about BACP

Addictions

Working as a psychodynamic counsellor, the focus in treating any addiction is not on the object of the addiction (whether that is food, alcohol, exercise or anything else) but on its cause and function. Otherwise the addict will simply replace one object for another. Ultimately, I try and help clients manage their lives and emotions without feeling compelled to resort to self-destructive strategies. Addiction is an (unconscious) coping or survival strategy and a way of avoiding difficult feelings probably learned in childhood. I try and help clients unravel the meaning of their addiction and find other more conscious and less harmful ways, using words, to communicate their thoughts and feelings.