Privacy Notice

Jacky Fitzgerald-Carolan Counselling & Coaching

Who I am

I am Jacky Fitzgerald-Carolan, an independent counsellor and the data controller for my practice. You can contact me at hello@jackyfitzgerald-carolan.co.uk or through www.jackyfitzgerald-carolan.co.uk.

Information I collect

I collect the information needed to arrange and provide counselling, such as your name, contact details, GP and emergency contact details, appointment and payment information, and relevant information about your health and wellbeing. I also keep brief assessment, risk and session notes.

Why I use it

I use your information to respond to enquiries, arrange and deliver counselling, support your safety, keep professional records, receive payments, and respond to complaints or legal obligations. If essential information is not provided, we may need to discuss whether counselling can be offered safely.

My legal basis

I generally use the information needed to provide counselling under UK GDPR Article 6(1)(b), performance of a contract. Where applicable, I also rely on legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c)) and legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)), for example in handling complaints. For sensitive health information needed for therapeutic counselling, I rely on Article 9(2)(h), together with Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 2 of the Data Protection Act 2018, subject to applicable professional confidentiality requirements. Other conditions may apply where necessary for safeguarding or legal claims.

Confidentiality and sharing

I treat what you share in counselling as confidential. I discuss my work in clinical supervision using anonymised information wherever possible. I do not routinely contact your GP or emergency contact. I may share relevant information if required by law or where necessary to respond to serious safety or safeguarding concerns. Where appropriate and safe, I will aim to discuss this with you first.

How I keep information secure

I store counselling records in an encrypted, password-protected folder on my Mac. I use ordinary Gmail for email, Google Meet for online sessions, a calendar for appointments and bank transfer for payments. These providers and my bank may process limited information to provide their services, sometimes outside the UK under applicable data-protection arrangements. Please avoid sending detailed sensitive information through ordinary email. I do not sell your information or use counselling records for marketing.

How long I keep records

I normally keep adult counselling records for six years after our final session, taking account of professional guidance and advice from my insurer. I may need to retain some information longer where there is an ongoing complaint, claim or legal requirement. Financial records are kept as required by tax law. When information is no longer needed, I delete or dispose of it securely.

Your rights

You can ask for access to your personal information, request corrections, and ask about deletion, restriction, objection or data portability where applicable. Some rights have legal exceptions. Please contact me using the email above. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

Changes to this notice

I will update this notice if my information-handling practices change. The latest version is available from me or on my website.

(Updated 13 October 2026)