Counselling with Susan
Counselling & Psychotherapy Online and In-Person in Belfast
Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 2026
Who I Am
I'm Listening | Counselling with Susan provides counselling services to adults in Belfast and online across Northern Ireland, the UK and Ireland.
I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I am committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Email: Imlistening@counsellingwithsusan.co.uk
ICO Registration Number: ZB856174
Information I Collect
Personal information may be collected:
- Through my website contact form
- Through email correspondence
- Through enquiries received via the BACP Therapist Directory
- Through enquiries received via Counselling Directory
- During consultation calls
- Through Setmore appointment scheduling
- During counselling sessions
- Through forms completed prior to counselling, including a Counselling Agreement and Client Information Form
The information collected may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Address
- Emergency contact details
- Appointment information
- Information relevant to your counselling and wellbeing
- Payment records relating to counselling sessions
Where payment is made by bank transfer, payment records may include the name and reference information provided with the transfer.
Information relating to your health and wellbeing is considered special category data under UK GDPR and receives additional protection.
How I Use Your Information
I use personal information to:
- Respond to enquiries
- Arrange appointments
- Provide counselling services
- Maintain appropriate client records
- Meet legal, ethical and professional obligations
- Maintain accurate financial records relating to counselling services
- Ensure the safe and effective delivery of counselling services
Lawful Basis for Processing
Personal information is processed under the following lawful bases:
- Contract – where processing is necessary to provide counselling services and fulfil our therapeutic agreement.
- Legitimate Interests – where processing is necessary for the safe, ethical and effective operation of my counselling practice.
Health-related information is processed as special category data for the provision of counselling services and in accordance with professional and legal obligations.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed within counselling sessions is treated as confidential.
There are circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, including:
- Where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person
- Safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
- Where disclosure is required by law or court order
Where possible, any disclosure will be discussed with you beforehand.
Professional Supervision
As a registered member of the BACP, I attend regular professional supervision.
Client work may be discussed within supervision to support safe and ethical practice. Identifying information is removed wherever possible, and supervisors are bound by professional confidentiality requirements.
Storage and Security
Personal information is stored securely.
Electronic records are stored on password-protected systems and protected through appropriate security measures.
Reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure of personal information.
Website and Third-Party Services
I use the following third-party services, which may process personal information:
- WebHealer – website hosting and contact forms
- Roundcube/WebHealer Email – email communication
- Setmore – appointment scheduling
- Google Forms – counselling agreements and client information forms
- Google Meet – online counselling sessions
- Google Analytics – website analytics
Each of these services has its own privacy policy and security measures.
Some service providers may process or store information outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place to protect personal information in accordance with UK data protection law.
Sharing Information
Personal information will not be sold or shared for marketing purposes.
Information will only be shared where necessary to:
- Meet legal obligations
- Address safeguarding concerns
- Protect the safety of individuals
- Obtain professional support through supervision
Any sharing will be limited to what is necessary.
How Long Information Is Kept
Client records are retained in accordance with professional, legal and insurance requirements.
Further information can be found in my Data Retention Policy.
If you make an enquiry but do not proceed with counselling, your information will only be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to manage the enquiry and meet any legal or professional obligations.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request restriction of processing
- Object to certain forms of processing
- Request erasure of your information where applicable
- Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format where applicable
- ake a complaint regarding how your information has been handled
Cookies and Website Analytics
This website may use cookies and similar technologies to help it function effectively and to understand how visitors use the site.
Google Analytics may collect information such as pages visited, time spent on the site and general location data. This information is anonymised where possible and is used to improve the website and user experience.
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings.
Data Protection Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance.
I will acknowledge and investigate complaints appropriately and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or working practices.
The most recent version will always be available on this website.