Privacy Policy
Last updated: 9 July 2026
This privacy policy explains how Compassionate Space Counselling collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit this website or make contact about counselling services.
Who we are
Compassionate Space Counselling is run by Jane Hartland, an online counselling practice providing person-centred support to adults across the UK.
Contact: jane@compassionatespacecounselling.co.uk | 07701 317202
What information we collect
We may collect the following personal information:
- Contact enquiries: your name, email address, phone number, and any information you share when you make contact by email or phone.
- Session-related information: details you share during counselling sessions, including information of a sensitive or health-related nature.
- Website analytics: if you accept analytics cookies, we collect anonymised information about how you use this website via Google Analytics (pages visited, time spent, device type, approximate location). This data does not identify you personally.
Legal basis for processing
We process your personal data on the following legal bases under UK GDPR:
- Consent — for analytics cookies (you can withdraw consent at any time by clearing your browser storage).
- Contract — to provide counselling services you have requested.
- Legitimate interests — to respond to enquiries about counselling services.
- Legal obligation — where we are required to retain records under professional guidelines or law.
Health and wellbeing information shared during counselling is treated as special category data under UK GDPR and is processed on the basis of your explicit consent and for the provision of healthcare services.
How we use your information
- To respond to enquiries about counselling services.
- To provide counselling sessions and maintain necessary professional records.
- To fulfil professional obligations, including clinical supervision (in an anonymised form where possible) and safeguarding duties.
- To understand how this website is used, so we can improve it (analytics only, with your consent).
Confidentiality
Everything you share in the context of counselling is treated as confidential. There are standard professional limits to confidentiality that will be explained at the outset of any counselling relationship. These include situations involving serious risk of harm to yourself or others, safeguarding concerns, legal requirements, and professional supervision (where your information is discussed anonymously with a supervisor).
How we store and protect your information
- Session notes: stored securely and encrypted, retained for five years in line with BACP professional guidance, then securely destroyed.
- Email: handled through Google Mail with two-factor authentication enabled. Emails are deleted when no longer needed.
- Analytics: processed by Google Analytics. Data is stored on Google servers. You can review Google's privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.
Sharing your information
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your information may be shared only in the following circumstances:
- With a clinical supervisor (in anonymised form) as required by professional practice standards.
- Where required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of you or others.
- With Google, in relation to anonymised website analytics (only if you have consented to cookies).
Cookies
This website uses a cookie consent banner. We only set analytics cookies if you explicitly accept them. You can withdraw consent at any time by clearing your browser's local storage, or by clicking "Decline" if the banner appears.
Google Analytics cookies are used to collect anonymised information about website usage. For more information on how Google uses this data, visit Google's Analytics privacy information.
Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of your information (subject to professional and legal retention obligations).
- Withdraw consent for analytics cookies at any time.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact: jane@compassionatespacecounselling.co.uk
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. We recommend checking this page periodically.
Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how your information is handled, please contact:
Compassionate Space Counselling
Email: jane@compassionatespacecounselling.co.uk
Phone: 07701 317202
[ICO registration number — to be confirmed if applicable]