Contact

Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Your privacy matters greatly to us. We are committed to being a responsible custodian of your personal information and to handling it lawfully, ethically, and securely. We use appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data.

Our approach to privacy is guided by two key principles:

  • Transparency – being clear about what personal information we collect and how we use it
  • Simplicity – using clear, accessible language so you can make informed choices

This policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, and protected, in accordance with UK data protection law and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

2. About the Data Controller

Teresa Mortell-Stevens is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a data controller (Registration number: ZB739229).

If you have any questions about this policy or how your data is managed, you can contact:

Teresa Mortell-Stevens
Email: teresamortellstevens@proton.me

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with current legislation and best practice.

3. Definitions

  • “We”, “us”, or “our” refers to Teresa Mortell-Stevens Counselling
  • “The website” refers to https://teresamortellstevens.com

4. Legal Basis and How We Use Your Information

We process personal data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What we collect

We only collect information that is necessary to provide counselling services, including:

  • Name and contact details
  • Information you choose to share via enquiries or therapy
  • Clinical notes required for safe and ethical practice

How your information is used

Your personal data is used solely for:

  • Responding to enquiries
  • Providing counselling services
  • Managing appointments, invoicing, and essential administration
  • Meeting professional, ethical, and legal obligations

5. Confidentiality and Sharing Information

All client information is treated as confidential. We do not share your personal data with third parties unless:

  • We have your explicit consent
  • We are legally required to do so
  • There is a serious risk of harm to you or others

Where possible and appropriate, we will discuss any required disclosure with you in advance.

6. Data Storage, Security, and Retention

Personal data is stored securely in encrypted digital files or locked physical storage.

Access is restricted to Teresa Mortell-Stevens only. We retain client records in line with professional guidelines and legal requirements. Once the retention period has ended, data is securely deleted or destroyed.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request erasure of your data in certain circumstances
  • Object to or restrict processing

Requests can be made by contacting teresamortellstevens@proton.me. We aim to respond within one month.

8. Website Use, Cookies, and Analytics

Website forms

If you contact us through the website, we collect the information you choose to provide (such as name, email address, and message content). This information is used solely to respond to your enquiry and is not shared with third parties.

Cookies and analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve content. This data is collected in a way that does not identify individual visitors. Cookies may be used to remember user preferences. You can control cookie settings through your browser.

Further information is available via Google’s Privacy Policy and www.allaboutcookies.org.

9. Social Media and External Links

We maintain professional profiles on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. If you contact us via social media, we do not routinely store personal data unless necessary and with your knowledge.

This policy does not cover third-party websites linked from our site. Please refer to their individual privacy notices.

10. Routine Communications

We may contact you by email, text, or phone for:

  • Appointment scheduling or changes
  • Invoices for services provided

As a private practitioner we do not provide emergency support.

11. Complaints

If you have a concern or complaint about how your personal information has been collected, used, stored, shared, retained, or otherwise handled, please contact Teresa Mortell-Stevens in the first instance:

Email: teresamortellstevens@proton.me

We will acknowledge receipt of your data protection complaint within 30 days. We will then take appropriate steps to look into the matter, keep you informed where necessary, and provide an outcome without undue delay.

If you remain unhappy with the response, or if you feel your concern has not been dealt with appropriately, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection matters.

12. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains current and supportive of safe, ethical therapeutic practice.

If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to get in touch.