top of page

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 22 June 2026

Lauren Askins Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, lawfully and securely.

This Privacy Policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, stored and protected when you visit this website or contact me regarding counselling or clinical supervision services.

This policy is intended to comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the ethical standards of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

​

Who I Am

This website is operated by Lauren Askins Counselling.

For the purposes of data protection law, I am the Data Controller responsible for any personal information collected through this website or as part of my professional practice.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact me via the website contact form.

​

What Information I Collect

 

Information You Provide

When you contact me through this website, I may collect:

  • Your name

  • Email address

  • Telephone number (if provided)

  • Information you choose to include in your enquiry

If counselling or supervision services are arranged, I may collect additional information necessary to provide safe and appropriate support, including information relevant to assessment, safeguarding, administration and record keeping.

 

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit this website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Website usage information

  • Pages visited

This information is collected through standard website analytics and is used to improve the performance, security and functionality of the website.

​

How Your Information Is Used

Your information may be used to:

  • Respond to enquiries submitted through the website

  • Arrange and manage appointments

  • Communicate with you regarding counselling or supervision services

  • Maintain appropriate client records

  • Meet professional, ethical and legal obligations

  • Ensure the safe and effective operation of my practice and website

Your personal information will never be sold, shared for marketing purposes, or added to a mailing list.

​

Legal Basis for Processing Your Information

Under UK GDPR, personal information is processed under one or more of the following lawful bases:

 

Consent

Where you voluntarily submit information through the website or provide information directly.

 

Legitimate Interests

To respond to enquiries, manage appointments, provide professional services and operate my counselling practice safely and effectively.

 

Legal Obligations

Where processing is required to comply with legal, safeguarding or regulatory responsibilities.

 

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

Confidentiality is a fundamental part of counselling practice.

Information shared within counselling sessions will remain confidential unless:

  • There is a serious concern regarding the safety of a child, young person or another individual.

  • There is a significant risk of harm to yourself or others.

  • Disclosure is required by law, court order or safeguarding responsibilities.

Where appropriate and possible, I will discuss any necessary disclosure with you before information is shared.

As part of ethical practice, I attend regular clinical supervision. Any client information discussed during supervision is anonymised and treated confidentially.

 

How Your Information Is Stored

Information submitted through the website contact form is transmitted securely and delivered to my email account.

Client records are stored securely using appropriate electronic and/or physical safeguards.

Reasonable measures are taken to protect information from unauthorised access, misuse, loss, disclosure or alteration.

 

How Long Information Is Kept

Client records are retained in accordance with professional guidance and legal requirements.

Typically:

  • Adult client records are retained for up to seven years after counselling ends.

  • Records relating to clients under the age of 18 may be retained until the client reaches the age of 25.

After the appropriate retention period, information will be securely deleted or destroyed.

 

Sharing Your Information

Your personal information will not be sold or shared for commercial purposes.

Information may only be shared where:

  • You have provided consent.

  • There is a safeguarding concern.

  • Disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm.

  • Disclosure is required by law or court order.

 

Cookies

This website may use essential cookies and website analytics cookies.

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function correctly and improve user experience.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

 

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal information I hold about you.

  • Request correction of inaccurate information.

  • Request deletion of your information where appropriate.

  • Restrict or object to the processing of your information.

  • Withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis for processing.

  • Lodge a complaint regarding the handling of your personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me using the details provided on this website.

​

Data Security

I take data security seriously and use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information.

However, no method of electronic communication or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and information is provided at your own risk.

​

Data Protection Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been collected, stored or used, you have the right to raise a data protection complaint.

Complaints can be submitted by email to me as per my contact details.

I will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 30 days.

Any complaint will be investigated fairly and appropriately, and I will provide a response and outcome without undue delay.

​

Complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office

If you remain dissatisfied after raising a complaint with me, you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Website: www.ico.org.uk

​

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be reviewed and updated from time to time.

Any updates will be published on this page, and the most recent version will always be available on this website.

bottom of page