Privacy Policy

Reviewed annually to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Navigating Seasons – Frances Palmer-Thompson (BACP Accredited Counsellor)

This policy explains how I collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who I am

I am Frances Palmer-Thompson, BACP Accredited Counsellor, trading as Navigating Seasons. I provide online and telephone counselling services for adults and young people (16+) across the UK.

Email: info@navigatingseasons.co.uk
Based in Oldbury, West Midlands, UK.

2. Information I collect

I may collect and store the following information:

  • Your name and contact details (email address, phone number)
  • Emergency contact information
  • Brief background details relevant to therapy
  • Notes taken during sessions
  • Emails or messages you send regarding appointments or queries

I may also collect limited sensitive or demographic information (for example, health details, date of birth, address, disability information, or other details you choose to share that support safe and inclusive counselling).

I only collect the information needed to provide safe and effective counselling.

3. How I use your information

Your personal information is used solely for:

  • Arranging and providing counselling sessions
  • Record keeping and ethical practice
  • Contacting you about appointments or relevant updates

I will never share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Confidentiality and data sharing

All sessions and records are confidential. Information may only be shared if:

  • You give explicit consent to share information with another professional (for example, your GP)
  • There is a legal or ethical requirement to disclose information, such as risk of harm to yourself or others, safeguarding concerns, or a court order.

5. How your information is stored

All information is stored electronically and securely on password-protected devices. Data is encrypted where possible and only accessible by Frances Palmer-Thompson. No paper notes are kept. Information is retained for seven years after the final session, in line with professional and legal requirements, and then permanently deleted.

6. Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access a copy of the information I hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Request erasure of your data in certain circumstances
  • Withdraw consent for data processing where applicable

Requests can be made in writing to the email address above.

7. Website and cookies

My website may use cookies to help improve your experience and monitor traffic. You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time.

8. The contact form

The contact form on this website is relayed by FormSubmit, a third-party email-forwarding service, so that your enquiry reaches me by email. FormSubmit does not publish a data processing agreement and holds submitted data on its own systems for up to 30 days before it is forwarded to me and deleted from theirs. If you would rather not use the form, you're welcome to contact me directly by phone, SMS, or email instead — see the Contact page for details.

9. Updates to this policy

This policy may be reviewed and updated periodically. The latest version will always be available on my website.

In summary

Your information is kept confidential, securely stored, and used only for the purpose of providing counselling in line with professional and legal requirements.