Privacy Policy

I am committed to protecting your privacy, so this document outlines how I collect, store and use your personal data.

This Privacy Policy applies to the services provided by Lou Allen and to the website louallencounselling.co.uk.

1. Data Controller and Contact Details

Data Controller: Lou Allen
Email: info@louallencounselling.co.uk
Mobile: 07887862584
ICO Registration Number: ZC212047

Website: louallencounselling.co.uk

The website provider, Spirivo, designed and manages the website on my behalf. Spirivo may process limited personal information submitted through the website, such as information provided through contact forms, where necessary to operate and maintain the website.

2. Types of Personal Data Collected

I collect the following information where necessary for providing my services:

Contact details: name, address, email address and mobile number.

Emergency contact: name and phone number of a trusted person.

Health and therapy information: brief medical details and very brief session notes.

When you contact me through my website, I may also collect the personal information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, telephone number and the contents of your enquiry.

You are not required to provide personal information when simply browsing my website. However, certain information will be needed if you wish to contact me or arrange an appointment.

3. How and Why I Use Your Personal Data

I collect and use your personal data only where it is necessary for the purpose for which it was provided.

Lawful basis: Contact details are collected and used to arrange and manage appointments and communicate with you about my services.

Special Category Data Basis: Explicit consent and provision of health care.

Information submitted through the website is used to respond to enquiries and, where appropriate, to arrange an initial consultation or appointment.

4. How I Store Your Personal Data

To ensure confidentiality, I store your personal data securely as follows:

• Contract information is password protected and kept on a secure cloud platform.

• Brief paper session notes are kept in a locked filing cabinet.

• Identifying information, such as names and numbers, is kept separately from session notes.

Information submitted through the website may be processed by the website provider, Spirivo, and the website’s hosting, email or other technical service providers where necessary to operate the website and deliver your enquiry.

Spirivo does not use information submitted through my website for its own marketing purposes.

5. Data Retention

I keep client records for 6 years after our final session.

After this period, paper files are securely shredded and digital files are deleted.

Website enquiries that do not result in you becoming a client may be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to and manage the enquiry, unless there is another lawful reason for retaining them.

6. Sharing Your Information

As your information is confidential, it would only be shared in the following circumstances:

Safeguarding: if I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or others.

Legal Obligation: if required by a court of law or where I am otherwise legally required to disclose information.

Clinical Supervision: I discuss my work with a supervisor to maintain professional standards, whilst client identity is kept anonymous.

Personal information submitted through the website may also be processed by third-party service providers where this is necessary to operate the website or provide a service you have requested, such as website hosting, email delivery, spam protection, analytics or embedded website features.

I do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

7. Website Visitors

Like most website operators, this website may collect limited non-personally-identifying information of the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as browser type, language preference, referring website, and the date and time of each visitor request.

This information may be used to understand how visitors use the website and to maintain and improve its performance and security.

The website provider, Spirivo, may also use website systems and spam-filtering tools to help identify potentially harmful or unwanted submissions.

8. Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored by your browser on your computer or device. They can be used to remember preferences, support website functionality and, where enabled, help understand how visitors use a website.

This website may use cookies for purposes such as:

Session cookies – used to support website functionality and expire when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies – used to remember settings or preferences for a longer period.

Third-party cookies – may be placed by external services used on the website, such as Google, social media features, analytics services or embedded content.

Where applicable, you can delete or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of parts of the website.

9. Third-Party Services

The website may use third-party services and integrations to provide certain functions. These may include:

Google – Search, Maps, Analytics or other Google services
Privacy policy: https://www.google.co.uk/intl/en/policies/privacy/

Facebook / Meta – Social media features
Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/

Pinterest – Pinterest features
Privacy policy: https://about.pinterest.com/en/privacy-policy

Instagram – Instagram features
Privacy policy: https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/

Spirivo – Website design, management and technical services
Privacy policy: https://www.spirivo.com/privacy

Not all of these services will necessarily be active at all times. Their use may change as the website is updated.

10. Your Data Protection Rights

Under data protection laws, you have rights including:

• The right to ask for copies of your personal information.

• The right to ask to correct inaccurate information.

• The right to ask to erase your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements.

Depending on the circumstances, you may also have other rights under data protection law, including the right to restrict or object to certain processing.

If you wish to exercise your rights or have questions about how your personal data is handled, please contact me using the details at the beginning of this policy.

11. How to Complain

If you have concerns about how I have handled your personal information, please contact me first so that I have the opportunity to address your concerns.

You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Website: https://ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Although most changes are likely to be minor, I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to my services, the website or relevant data protection requirements.

Any updated version will be published on this website.