Directions

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HoT6NXkLj543UxEv6

I am based in The Pilates Vault at Fornham Business Park. If you come to Fornham Business Court, park in the main car park and walk through the path with trees either side go through the glass door and out the other side and then if you turn directly right you will come to number 2 (with a glass door) this will take you into the pilates vault where there is a seat directaly in front of you if you wait there I will come and collect you.

Fees

Fees are £55 per 50 minute session, if you are a student there is scope to discuss these fees, please do get in touch.

Privacy Statement

At Essentia Counselling, I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, respect and confidentiality. I process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as a Data Controller.

ICO Registration Number: 00014767497

What Information I Collect

Before therapy begins, you will be asked to complete a Client Registration Form. This may include:

  • Name, address, telephone number and email address

  • Date of birth

  • GP details

  • Emergency contact details (where appropriate)

  • Relevant medical information

  • Information relating to your counselling needs

This information enables me to provide counselling safely and effectively and to administer my practice.

Lawful Basis for Processing

I process your personal information under the lawful bases of:

  • Performance of a contract (providing counselling services)

  • Compliance with legal and professional obligations

  • Legitimate interests in managing my counselling practice

As counselling involves special category data concerning health and wellbeing, this information is processed in accordance with the provisions of UK data protection legislation and professional ethical requirements.

Clinical Notes

I keep brief, factual clinical notes to support the continuity and quality of your therapy. These notes contain only the minimum information necessary and are not a verbatim record of counselling sessions.

Detailed reports or assessments are not routinely prepared. If a written report or more detailed record is required—for example by an organisation funding your counselling—this will be discussed with you before therapy begins, and your consent will be obtained where appropriate.

How Your Information is Stored

All personal information and clinical notes are stored securely using appropriate physical and electronic security measures to protect against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

Only I have access to your records unless disclosure is required by law or in the exceptional circumstances outlined below.

Confidentiality

Everything discussed within counselling is confidential.

Confidentiality may only be broken where:

  • there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person;

  • there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult;

  • disclosure is required by law or court order; or

  • you have given your explicit consent.

Where possible, this would be discussed with you first.

Therapeutic Executor

As a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I have appointed a Therapeutic Executor.

In the event of my serious illness, incapacity or death, the Therapeutic Executor may have limited access to your contact details and records solely for the purpose of contacting you regarding your therapy and ensuring that your records are managed or securely destroyed in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

The Therapeutic Executor is bound by the same professional standards of confidentiality and data protection.

How Long Records are Kept

Client records are retained only for as long as necessary to meet professional, legal and insurance requirements.

Following the retention period, records will be securely destroyed or permanently deleted.

Sharing Your Information

Your information will never be sold or shared for marketing purposes.

Information will only be shared:

  • with your consent;

  • where legally required;

  • where there is a safeguarding concern; or

  • where disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

  • access the personal information I hold about you;

  • request correction of inaccurate information;

  • request erasure where legally appropriate;

  • request restriction of processing;

  • object to certain types of processing;

  • request data portability where applicable.

These rights may be subject to certain legal or professional exemptions.

Data Protection Complaints

If you have any concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance so that I have the opportunity to investigate and resolve your complaint.

I will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and respond without undue delay.

If you remain dissatisfied after I have responded, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is used, please contact:

Essentia Counselling

Contact Outside Of The Session/Important Numbers

I am unable to guarantee availability outside of the scheduled session. If you find yourself in a significant crisis and immediate help is vital, you can contact your GP or the Samaritans on 116 123 or phone 111 and select the mental health option.