Privacy Policy

Carol Gordon

Counsellor (MBACP)
Rapid Transformational Therapy Practitioner (RTT)
ADHD Coach
Tel: 07500 333 754
Email: carol@adhdcounsellingroom.co.uk
Website: www.adhdcounsellingroom.co.uk

This Privacy Notice explains how I, Carol Gordon, handle your personal information. It outlines what data I collect, how I use it, and why.

Please note: ADHD Counselling Room is part of Clear Haven Therapy, owned and operated by Carol Gordon. This privacy policy applies specifically to services offered through the ADHD Counselling Room website, but all data is handled under the same business entity.

 1. Information I Collect and Use

To provide coaching, counselling, RTT, and manage bookings or purchases, I collect the following personal information:

• Contact Details: Name, address, email address, and phone number.
• Transaction Information: Purchase history and payment details (e.g. card or bank info for transfers or direct debits).
• Health Information: Any relevant medical or psychological information you choose to share to support your wellbeing.
• Website Usage Data: Cookies, analytics, and site behaviour (e.g. page visits, session duration) to improve functionality and experience.
• Feedback and Complaints: Reviews, testimonials, or concerns shared with me.

In order to prevent crime or respond to legal obligations, I may also hold:

• Client Records: Including essential notes, contact logs, and communications.
• Health and Safety Information: Related to service delivery and risk management.  

2. Legal Bases for Processing Your Information

Your information is processed under the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you explicitly agree to my use of your data (e.g. newsletter sign-up or submitting a form).
• Contract: When necessary to provide services you’ve requested, including booking systems, contact forms, and any purchases made.
• Legal Obligation or Legitimate Interest: In cases where data is required to meet legal responsibilities (e.g. financial recordkeeping) or to protect the safety and integrity of services.

I always aim to balance any business needs with your privacy, applying safeguards and ethical practice in line with my responsibilities as a registered counsellor.

3. Data Retention

I retain data for the following periods:

• Client Records: I do not keep detailed notes of every session. I record only essential information such as your intake details, key themes, and any practical arrangements. Personal data and session-related notes are stored securely for a minimum of seven years after our work together ends. For clients under 18, records are kept until they turn 25 or for seven years—whichever is longer.
• Financial Records: Invoices and payment records are kept for at least six years in line with HMRC regulations.
• Legal Purposes: If required by law or for legal defence, some records may be retained beyond these periods.

After these times, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised.

4. Preventing Crime and Legal Compliance

I may process your data to:

• Prevent or Detect Crime: Such as fraud, money laundering, or other unlawful behaviour.
• Support Legal Proceedings: If necessary to defend against claims or uphold service integrity.
• Report Certain Disclosures: If information is shared with me regarding terrorism, money laundering, or serious harm to self or others, I am legally required to report it to the appropriate authorities.   

5. Your Data Protection Rights

You have rights under data protection law, including:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification: Ask for incorrect or incomplete data to be corrected.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
• Restriction: Request limits on how your data is processed.
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing.
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where this is the lawful basis for processing.

These rights can be exercised at no cost, and I will respond within one calendar month.

6. Complaints

If you have any concerns about how your data is used, please contact me directly using the details above.
If you remain dissatisfied, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

ICO Contact Details:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk

7. Website Functionality and Third-Party Content

This website uses cookies and may include embedded content from other websites to enhance your experience and improve site performance.

Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device to help the website function properly and collect basic usage data, such as which pages are visited and for how long. These may be used for analytics, performance monitoring, or to remember your preferences. You can choose to accept or decline non-essential cookies through your browser settings or the cookie banner where available.

Embedded Content
Some pages on this website may include embedded content such as videos, social media feeds, or articles (for example, YouTube, Instagram, or Podia). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you visited those websites directly. These third-party sites may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content—especially if you have an account and are logged in to that service.

If you purchase a course or digital product, you may be redirected to Podia, my secure course platform. Please refer to their privacy policy to understand how your data is handled on their site.

Last Updated: 19 April 2025