Privacy policy

Future Aims Therapy Effective date: September 2026 At Future Aims Therapy, your privacy and confidentiality are extremely important. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Who I am *Amie Hamnett BACP Registered Counsellor Future Aims Therapy If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, you can contact me via the Contact page on this website. What information I collect I may collect the following information when you contact me or use my services: * Name * Email address * Telephone number * Date of birth (where appropriate) * Emergency contact details * GP details (with your consent where appropriate) * Information you choose to share during enquiries or counselling sessions Some of this information is classed as special category data because it relates to your health and wellbeing. How I use your information Your information is used to: * Respond to your enquiries * Arrange and provide counselling sessions * Maintain accurate clinical records * Manage appointments and payments * Meet my legal, ethical and professional obligations I only collect information that is necessary to provide safe and effective counselling. This follows the data minimisation principles set out within UK GDPR. Confidentiality Everything discussed within counselling is treated as confidential. However, confidentiality may be broken if: * There is a serious risk of harm to you or another person. * A child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or neglect. * I am legally required to disclose information by a court of law. * Disclosure is required by law in relation to terrorism, money laundering or other legal obligations. Where possible, I will always aim to discuss any necessary disclosure with you first. This reflects the BACP Ethical Framework's guidance on confidentiality and informed consent. Lawful basis for processing The lawful basis for processing your personal information is: * Contract – when you are enquiring about or receiving counselling services. *Legitimate Interests – for maintaining records after therapy has ended where appropriate. *Provision of Health Care – for processing special category health information as part of counselling services. How your data is stored Your information is stored securely using password-protected electronic systems and encrypted devices. Paper records, if used, are kept in locked storage with restricted access. I retain counselling records for 7 years after the end of therapy in line with professional insurance and good practice recommendations, after which they are securely destroyed. Website enquiries When you submit a contact form through this website, I collect the information you provide in order to respond to your enquiry. If you decide not to proceed with counselling, your enquiry information will usually be deleted within 3 months, unless you request earlier deletion. Cookies This website may use essential cookies to ensure the site functions correctly. If analytics or non-essential cookies are used, you will be asked for your consent before they are activated. Your rights Under UK GDPR, you have the right to: * Request access to your personal information * Request correction of inaccurate information * Request erasure of your data where applicable * Restrict or object to certain processing * Request transfer of your personal data * Withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis To exercise any of these rights, please contact me using the details provided on this website. Complaints If you are unhappy with how your personal information has been handled, I hope you will contact me first so I can resolve your concerns. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator. --- *This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal or professional requirements.*