Last updated 19 October 2026. 

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Data Controller: David C Stirling Counselling

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At David C Stirling Counselling, I am committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, and safeguarded when you visit my website or contact me regarding therapy services.

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1. Information I Collect

When you visit or interact with this website, I may collect the following personal information:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and any details you provide when submitting an inquiry form or booking a consultation.

• Sensitive Information: Any brief details regarding your reasons for seeking counselling or health-related information voluntarily submitted via contact forms or emails.

• Technical Data: Basic website usage data (e.g., IP address, browser type, pages visited) gathered automatically via standard web cookies to ensure proper website functionality.

 

2. How Your Information Is Used

Your personal data is used solely for professional therapy administration, including:

• Responding to your initial inquiries or appointment requests.

• Managing scheduling, assessments, and client communications.

• Delivering safe, ethical therapeutic services tailored to your needs.

 

Note: Your personal information will never be sold, rented, or used for unsolicited marketing or advertising purposes.

 

3. Lawful Basis for Processing Data

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), I process your data under the following legal bases:

• Legitimate Interest: To respond to your direct inquiries and manage client administrative tasks.

• Consent: When you voluntarily submit contact forms or share information with me.

• Special Category Data (Health Data): Processed strictly under the provision of healthcare and confidential therapeutic services in accordance with professional ethical codes.

 

4. Data Storage and Security

• Confidentiality: All client communications and personal details are handled with strict confidentiality.

• Security: Appropriate technical and organizational measures (such as encrypted email services, password protection, and secure storage) are used to safeguard your data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

• Retention: Personal data from initial inquiries that do not lead to therapy is retained for no longer than necessary (e.g., 6 months). Client records for ongoing therapy are stored securely for a required statutory period following the end of therapy, after which they are securely destroyed.

 

5. Sharing Your Information

Your personal details will remain confidential and will not be shared with third parties, except in the following limited circumstances:

1. Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or regulatory body.

2. Safeguarding/Safety: If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, where professional duty of care mandates disclosure.

3. Supervision: As part of professional therapeutic practice, client work is discussed anonymously with a qualified supervisor to ensure ethical standards.

 

6. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data held about you.

• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

• Erasure: Request the deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten"), subject to legal/ethical record-keeping obligations.

• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to data processing at any time.

 

7. Third-Party Links & Cookies

This website may contain links to external websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings.

 

8. Contact & Complaints

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact:

• Name: David C Stirling

• Email: david@dcscounselling.com

• Phone: +44 (0) 7828 062337

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If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.