Last updated: June 2026

At GSS Counselling (https://gsscounselling.co.uk/), your privacy is of the utmost importance. This Privacy Policy outlines how Genevieve Smith ("I", "my") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit this website, use the contact forms, or engage in counselling services. I operate as a Data Controller under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information Collected When you interact with this website or contact me, I may collect the following information: Personal Identity & Contact Information: Your name, email address, phone number, and any details you choose to provide in your initial enquiry. Technical Data: Your IP address, browser type, and information about how you interact with this website (collected via cookies). Clinical Records (Post-Enquiry): If you proceed to enter into therapy, a separate, specific clinical privacy contract will be provided covering sensitive health information, clinical notes, and session confidentiality.

2. How Your Information is Used Your data is used solely for the following purposes: To respond to your initial enquiries and schedule appointments. To deliver the counselling and psychotherapy services you request. To maintain proper business records and comply with legal or professional obligations. To improve website functionality and user experience.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Under the UK GDPR, the lawful bases for processing your personal data are: Consent: You explicitly give your consent when you submit an enquiry via the contact form or email. Contract: Processing is necessary to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract for counselling services, or to fulfill that contract. Legitimate Interests: To effectively and securely run my professional practice.

4. Data Storage and Security I am committed to ensuring that your information is secure. To prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures have been put in place to safeguard the information collected online. Enquiry data and emails are stored securely and are only accessed by me. Your data will not be shared with, sold, or rented to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Data Retention I will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or professional insurance requirements. If you make an enquiry but do not proceed with therapy, your contact details and message will be securely deleted after 6 months.

6. Your Rights Under UK data protection law, you have specific rights regarding your personal information, including: The right to access: You can request a copy of the personal data held about you. The right to rectification: You can request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete data. The right to erasure: You can request that your personal data be deleted (subject to certain legal and professional record-keeping restrictions). The right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw your consent to data processing at any time. To exercise any of these rights, please contact me using the details below.

7. Third-Party Links This website may contain links to external websites (such as professional directories or professional bodies). I do not control these websites and am not responsible for their privacy statements.

8. Contact Details If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact:

Data Controller: Genevieve Smith Email: gen@gsscounselling.co.uk
Phone: 07369 252434

If you are unhappy with how your data is used, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk).