Privacy Notice – The Calm Lantern Counselling
My name is Lorraine Cooke, and I am a Person-Centred Counsellor and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I run The Calm Lantern Counselling and take your privacy and confidentiality very seriously.
The information I collect
To provide counselling safely and effectively, I collect some personal information, such as:
- Your name, address, date of birth and contact details
- GP and emergency contact information
- Relevant background or medical information you choose to share
- Notes about our sessions (kept brief and factual)
- Any email, text, or online correspondence between us
Why I collect and keep this information
I process your personal information under the lawful basis of legitimate interest and contract, in line with UK data protection law.
- Provide you with counselling and keep appropriate records of our work together
- Contact you about appointments or updates
- Fulfil professional and legal requirements (such as ethical supervision or risk management)
How your information is stored
- Paper records (such as contracts and session notes) are stored securely in a locked filing cabinet.
- Any electronic information (such as emails or documents) is kept on a password-protected device.
- Only I have access to this information.
How long I keep information
I keep client information for 7 years after counselling ends, in line with professional guidance and insurance requirements. After this time, all records are securely destroyed.
When information might be shared
Everything you share with me is confidential. I would only share information if:
- I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else
- I am required by law to do so (for example, under the Terrorism Act or if ordered by a court)
- I discuss work with my supervisor (your identity remains anonymous in supervision)
If possible, I will always try to talk to you before sharing any information.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- See the information I hold about you
- Ask for corrections if something is wrong
- Ask for your information to be deleted (where legally possible)
- Withdraw consent for certain types of processing (where applicable)
If you would like to see your records, please make the request in writing.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about how I use your information, please contact me at:
📧 thecalmlanterncounselling@outlook.com
📞 07301854753
If you are unhappy with how I handle your data, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), reference number ZC076293
www.ico.org.uk