Privacy Notice
The Curiously Kind Counsellor
Laurie Hole MBACP (Accred)
ICO Registration Number: ZA833534
Last Updated: August 2026
Introduction
This Privacy Notice explains how I collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit my website, make an enquiry, or engage in counselling or supervision services with me.
I am committed to handling personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and my professional and ethical responsibilities as a counsellor.
Data Controller
The data controller is:Laurie Hole
The Curiously Kind Counsellor
Website: www.thecuriouslykindcounsellor.com
Email: hello@thecuriouslykindcounsellor.com
Who This Notice Applies To
This notice applies to:
Visitors to my website
Individuals who make enquiries about counselling or supervision
Current counselling clients and supervisees
Former counselling clients and supervisees
Information I Collect
Website Visitors
When you visit my website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
IP address
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages visited
Website usage information
Enquiries and Prospective Clients and Supervisees
If you contact me by email, telephone or through my website, I may collect:
Name
Email address
Telephone number
Information you choose to share in your enquiry
Counselling Clients
If you engage in counselling with me, I may collect and process:
Contact details
Emergency contact information (where appropriate)
Relevant personal information
Relevant health and wellbeing information
Brief session notes
Appointment information
Payment records
Counselling Supervisees
If you engage in supervision with me, I may collect and process:
Contact details
Emergency contact information (where appropriate)
Relevant personal information
Relevant health and wellbeing information
Supervision records
Administrative information relating to professional practice
Appointment information
Payment records
How I Use Your Information
I use personal information to:
Respond to enquiries
Assess whether my counselling or supervision services may be appropriate for you
Arrange and manage appointments
Provide counselling or supervision services safely and ethically
Maintain appropriate professional records
Meet legal, professional and insurance requirements
Manage and secure my website and business systems
Comply with safeguarding or legal obligations where necessary
Lawful Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, I rely on the following lawful bases:
Contract
Where processing is necessary to provide counselling or supervision services or take steps before entering into a counselling or supervision agreement.
Legitimate Interests
For managing enquiries, maintaining professional records, operating my practice, and ensuring continuity of service.
Legal Obligation
Where processing is required to comply with legal or regulatory responsibilities.
Provision of Health Care
Where special category data is processed for the provision of counselling, supervision and related healthcare services.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed within counselling or supervision is treated confidentially.
There are, however, limited circumstances in which confidentiality may need to be broken, including:
Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person
Where disclosure is required by law
Where there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
Where possible, I will seek to discuss any necessary disclosure with you before taking action.
How Your Information Is Stored
I keep brief records of our work together in accordance with professional, ethical and legal requirements.
Information is stored securely using:
Password-protected devices
Secure third-party systems used for practice management, communication, administration and storage
Appropriate technical and organisational security measures
Access is restricted to me except where a service provider may require limited access for technical or administrative purposes.
Details of current data processors are available on request.
Online Working and Communication
Counselling and supervision is provided online using secure video conferencing software.
Email and electronic communication are used for administrative purposes, such as arranging appointments and responding to enquiries.
Although reasonable steps are taken to protect your information, no internet-based communication system can guarantee complete security.
Please avoid sending highly sensitive clinical information by email wherever possible.
Financial Information
Payments are made by bank transfer unless otherwise agreed.
Your name and payment information may appear on business banking records and accounting records.
These records may be accessed by me, my accountant, banking provider, or relevant authorities where required for financial, legal or regulatory purposes.
Website Hosting and Third-Party Services
My website is hosted by Squarespace.
I may also use third-party providers to support the operation of my practice, including providers of:
Website hosting
Email services
Video conferencing
Practice management systems
Secure data storage
Accounting and financial services
These providers process only the information necessary to perform their services.
I do not sell personal information or share it for marketing purposes.
Current Data Processors
A current list of organisations that process personal data on my behalf is available upon request.
Cookies
This website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
Ensure the website functions correctly
Monitor website performance
Analyse website usage
Improve user experience
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or any cookie management tools provided on the website.
How Long I Keep Information
Enquiries
If you contact me but do not proceed with counselling, your enquiry information will usually be deleted within 28 days unless there is a legitimate reason to retain it.
Client Records
Client records are retained for seven years following the end of counselling, in line with professional, insurance and legal requirements.
After this period, records are securely deleted.
Supervision Records
Supervisee records are retained for seven years following the end of supervision, in line with professional, insurance and legal requirements.
After this period, records are securely deleted.
Recording of Sessions
Counselling and supervision sessions are not routinely recorded.
Recording by either party is not permitted unless explicitly agreed in advance and confirmed in writing.
Where recording is agreed, recordings will be stored securely and deleted when no longer required.
Clinical Will
In the event of my death, serious illness, incapacity, or any other circumstance that prevents me from continuing my practice, a trusted professional colleague acting as my Clinical Executor may be granted access to limited client and supervisee information.
This access will be restricted to the information necessary to manage the closure, transfer, or continuity of my practice and to contact clients where appropriate. This may include:
Client names
Supervisee names
Contact details
Appointment information
The purpose of this access is solely to enable clients and supervisees to be informed of the situation and to make any necessary arrangements regarding ongoing care or the conclusion of counselling or supervision services.
My Clinical Executor is bound by the same professional, ethical and confidentiality obligations that apply to me.
Access to counselling or supervision notes, session content, and other confidential records will only occur where necessary to fulfil these responsibilities and in accordance with applicable legal, ethical and professional requirements.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
Request access to your personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information where applicable
Restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances
Request data portability where applicable
Withdraw consent where consent is relied upon
Requests should be made in writing and will be responded to in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance so I can attempt to resolve the matter.
Email: hello@thecuriouslykindcounsellor.com
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner's Office
www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
External Links
This website may contain links to external websites.
I am not responsible for the content, security or privacy practices of external websites.
Changes to This Privacy Notice
This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time.
The most current version will always be available on this website.
Last Updated: 06 August 2026