Privacy & Complaints
Privacy Notice
At Louise Hudspith Counselling, I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, transparency and respect.
Who I Am
Louise Hudspith Counselling provides counselling and psychotherapy services to adults aged 18 and over.
Louise Hudspith Counselling is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), registration number ZB579606, and complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
As the Data Controller, I am responsible for how your personal information is collected, stored and used.
Information I May Collect
Depending on your contact with the practice, I may collect:
- Your name and contact details
- Information provided in enquiry forms, emails or telephone calls
- Information relating to appointments and attendance
- Relevant personal information shared during counselling sessions
- Emergency contact information where appropriate
- Payment and invoicing information
Why I Collect Your Information
Your information is collected for legitimate professional purposes, including:
- Responding to enquiries
- Arranging and managing appointments
- Providing counselling and psychotherapy services
- Maintaining professional records
- Meeting legal, ethical and insurance requirements
- Managing payments and business administration
Lawful Basis for Processing
Personal information is processed in accordance with UK GDPR under one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Performance of a contract
- Legitimate interests
- Legal obligations
- Explicit consent where required
Where special category data is processed, this is done in accordance with UK data protection legislation and professional counselling requirements.
How Your Information Is Stored
Personal information is stored securely using appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect confidentiality and prevent unauthorised access, disclosure, loss or misuse.
Information is only accessed where necessary for the provision and management of counselling services.
Sharing Information
Confidentiality is a fundamental part of counselling practice.
Your information will not normally be shared with third parties without your knowledge or consent unless:
- There is a legal requirement to do so
- There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others
- Safeguarding concerns arise
- Disclosure is required by a court order
- Professional consultation or supervision is undertaken in accordance with ethical practice, with identifying information minimised wherever possible
Personal information may also be processed by trusted third-party providers who support the operation of the practice, such as website hosting providers, email providers, accountants, insurers and professional supervisors. These providers are required to handle personal information securely and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
International Data Transfers
Some third-party service providers may store or process data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure personal information receives an equivalent level of protection in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.
Retention of Records
Counselling records are retained only for as long as necessary to meet professional, legal, ethical and insurance requirements.
Counselling records are typically retained for up to seven years following the end of counselling services, after which they are securely destroyed unless there is a legal or professional reason to retain them for longer.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Request access to the personal information held about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request erasure of information in certain circumstances
- Request restriction of processing
- Object to processing in certain circumstances
- Request transfer of your information where applicable
- Withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing
To exercise any of these rights, please contact:
Email: info@louisehudspith.com
Website Cookies
This website may use essential cookies to ensure the website functions correctly.
Where non-essential cookies, analytics services or embedded third-party content are used, visitors will be provided with appropriate information and choices in accordance with applicable privacy regulations.
Further Information
A more detailed Client Privacy Notice is provided to counselling clients and is available upon request.
Complaints Procedure
I aim to provide a professional, ethical and respectful service at all times.
If you have concerns about any aspect of the service provided, I encourage you to raise them directly with me in the first instance so that they can be considered and addressed promptly.
Please contact:
Email: info@louisehudspith.com
All complaints will be acknowledged and considered fairly, respectfully and within a reasonable timeframe.
Data Protection Complaints
If your complaint relates to how your personal information has been collected, stored or processed, you may contact me directly using the details above.
If you remain dissatisfied following my response, you have the right to raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Professional Standards
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
If concerns cannot be resolved directly with me, further information regarding the BACP Professional Conduct Procedure can be found on the BACP website.
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Last Updated: June 2026