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Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Meiran Howard, owner of www.meiranhowardcounselling.co.uk, is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, stored, and protected when you use www.meiranhowardcounselling.co.uk or when you use counselling services provided online.

Meiran Howard is the data controller, who can be contacted at . Information about data protection laws, rights, responsibilities, and procedures is available from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/.

Please read carefully and ask any questions during our initial consultation, first session, or via email.

2. Information That Is Collected

A. Information you provide directly:

  • Name, contact details (email address)
  • Emergency contact details
  • Information shared in your registration form
  • Information shared in your contact form via the website- which is SSL protected
  • Sensitive information shared during counselling sessions (mental health, wellbeing, or medical history)

B. Information collected automatically

  • IP address, browser type, and usage data when you visit our website

3. Website Log Data and Automatic Collection

When visitors access the website, the hosting provider (Clear Creation – using Chemicloud servers) automatically collects certain information in server access logs for security, performance, and maintenance purposes. This may include:

  • Your IP address (which may indicate your general location).
  • The date and time of your visit.
  • The pages you viewed and resources requested.
  • Your browser type, device, and operating system.
  • The referring website (if applicable).

They retain this data only as long as necessary (typically up to 30 days) and do not use it to identify individuals or for marketing. It is stored securely on ChemiCloud’s servers in the UK. For more on how ChemiCloud handles data, see their Privacy Policy (https://chemicloud.com/privacy-policy).

Our Legal Basis (if EU visitors): Legitimate interest in site operation and security (GDPR Article 6(1)(f)). You can contact us to request access or deletion where applicable.

4. How Your Information Is Used

Your personal information is used to:

  • Provide counselling services
  • Respond to your enquiries or session requests
  • Manage scheduling, payments, and administrative tasks
  • Maintain secure and accurate records
  • Fulfil legal and professional obligations
  • Improve website and services

5. Secure Storage

  • Your personal information will be stored separately from your session notes.
  • Documents are kept in a password protected laptop that is only used by Meiran Howard.
  • Once counselling has ended your records will be kept for 5 years from the end of our contact with each other and then securely destroyed. If you want me to delete your information sooner than this, please let me know.

6. Disclosure of your information

To comply with my professional obligations under the BACP I undergo monthly supervision with a supervisor. Any information discussed will be treated in confidence and supervisors are also held to the same standards surrounding GDPR and confidentiality.

I will not share your personal information with anyone else, unless there is a duty to disclose to comply with any legal obligation such as terrorism alerts, money laundering, or drug trafficking.