Your privacy matters. Counselling depends on trust, and part of that is being clear about how your information is handled.
This page explains what information is collected, how it is used, and your rights.
Who is responsible for your data
Calonlan Counselling is responsible for how your personal information is handled.
Therapist: Ali Brown
Registered member of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
Practice address:
Oldgate Therapy Centre
7b Oldgate
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 1LT
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) registration number: ZB563980
The type of information collected
The information collected may include:
- Your name, email address, and phone number
- Relevant personal information shared during counselling
- Session notes created by the therapist
- Appointment history
- Communication between us, including email or messages
You are not required to share anything you are not comfortable with. The depth of information shared is always your choice.
Why your information is collected
Your information is used to:
- Arrange and manage appointments
- Provide counselling safely and appropriately
- Maintain continuity between sessions
- Meet professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities
This supports safe, consistent, and effective practice.
Lawful basis for processing
Your information is processed under UK GDPR using:
- Contract, where you have agreed to receive counselling services
- Legitimate interest, to ensure safe and effective therapeutic practice
Information shared within counselling may include sensitive personal data. This is treated as special category data and handled with a higher level of care.
Confidentiality
Everything you share in counselling is treated as confidential.
Information will only be shared where necessary:
- If there is a serious risk of harm to you
- If there is a risk of harm to someone else
- If there are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
- If required by law, such as a court order
Where possible, this will be discussed with you first.
Supervision
Regular supervision forms part of professional practice.
This ensures the work is safe, ethical, and aligned with NCPS standards.
Client work may be discussed with a qualified supervisor.
Your identity is not shared, and all discussions are anonymised.
How your information is stored
Your information is stored securely.
- Digital records are protected using secure systems and passwords
- Any written notes are stored in locked storage
- Access is restricted to the therapist
Appropriate measures are in place to reduce the risk of unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.
How long your information is kept
Client records are typically retained for 7 years after counselling ends.
This follows professional guidance and supports continuity if you return in the future.
After this period, records are securely deleted or destroyed.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Request access to your personal data
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your data where appropriate
- Restrict or object to how your data is used
Some limitations apply where records must be retained for legal or professional reasons.
Data breaches
If a data breach occurs which may affect your rights or privacy, appropriate action will be taken.
This may include informing you and reporting the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office where required.
Complaints
If you have concerns about how your information is handled, you are encouraged to raise this directly.
You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office:
https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
Contact
If you would like to request access to your data or ask any questions about this policy, you can contact: alison@calonlancounselling.co.uk
Client feedback
“I would like to send you a huge thank you for your help over the last year. You have been so very helpful, giving practical advice and support after my domestic abuse ordeal. You've been my voice of reason, helping me to ground myself and avoid overthinking, as well as giving me confidence to take back control of my life. I have learned so much from you and from the information and links you've provided. I'm back on my feet with new boundaries and a positive outlook for the first time in 2 years. I can't thank you enough. I wouldn't hesitate to contact you again if required and would 100% recommend you to others.”
“Working with Alison has been wonderful and I would highly recommend her as a therapist. She is an attentive listener, very easy to talk to and has a calm and empathetic demeanour which always made me feel very at ease. I opened about issues that I've kept bottled up for years, and she responded supportively and compassionately, whilst offering tools to help me cope with the problem. I'm incredibly grateful for the positive impact she's had on my outlook for life.”
“Alison is a compassionate person, who listens without judgment. She is easy to talk with and one immediately feels safe. She gives wise counsel and is very supportive. I would highly recommend her.”
“Alison provided me with support to learn and strengthen so many life skills that I felt I lacked. I used to find it very difficult expressing my emotions and would mask as a positive people-pleaser. Through our sessions she made me more self-aware and helped me to look at difficult emotional situations from a different perspective. This then led to helping me look within to see who I was and what my needs were. Now I can comfortably set boundaries and I am more assertive and able to express my wants and needs. Alison always gave me a non-judgmental space to be heard while I worked through a difficult time.”
“Alison is a fabulous and experienced therapist. She has a gentle empathic manner and really helped me discuss deeply sensitive problems and explore why I was facing the difficulties that had become so painful in my life. She set me on the right track and session by session I felt better. Highly recommended”
“Alison helped me through an extremely difficult time in my life with calm kindness and understanding that was exactly what I needed at that point. She gave me the tools to manage my emotions and deal with events in my life in a positive productive way. I will forever be grateful for the impact she has had in my life.”
Contact me
I’m here to help
Ready to take the first step? I'm here to support you on your journey.
Based in Morpeth, Northumberland, with face to face and online sessions available.
For a private and confidential chat, please call 07778 719 382 or fill out the form below. Alternatively, email me via alison@calonlancounselling.co.uk.
I will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss how I can help.