PRIVACY AND COOKIES
Last updated: September 2026
This page explains how I collect, use and protect personal information when you visit this website, contact me or use my counselling services.
WHO I AM
I am Lucy Bello, trading as Counselling with Lucy. I am the data controller responsible for your personal information.
Email: lucy@counsellingwithlucy.co.uk
ICO registration number: ZC224285
INFORMATION I MAY COLLECT
When you contact me, I may collect your name, email address, telephone number and any information you choose to include in your message.
If we decide to work together, I may also collect information needed to provide counselling, manage appointments, maintain appropriate records and process payments. This may include sensitive information about your health, relationships or personal circumstances.
Please avoid including detailed personal or medical information in the website contact form. We can discuss this privately after I respond.
HOW I USE YOUR INFORMATION
I use personal information to:
• respond to enquiries
• arrange consultations and counselling sessions
• provide counselling services
• communicate about appointments
• maintain appropriate professional and financial records
• meet legal, ethical, safeguarding and insurance obligations
• protect the security of my practice and website
I process information where it is necessary to respond to your enquiry, provide the service we have agreed, meet a legal obligation, protect vital interests or pursue the legitimate interests of running a safe professional practice. Where information is particularly sensitive, I will also rely on an appropriate condition for processing it, including your explicit consent where required.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND SHARING
I do not sell your personal information.
Information may be processed by trusted services used to operate my practice, including Wix, Konfidens and my secure email provider. These services process information according to their own security and privacy arrangements.
My work is discussed in professional supervision. Identifying information is avoided wherever possible, and my supervisor is also required to maintain confidentiality.
I may need to share information where required by law or where there is a serious concern about safety or safeguarding. The limits of confidentiality are explained more fully in my counselling agreement.
HOW LONG I KEEP INFORMATION
If you become a client, I normally retain counselling records for seven years after our work ends.
Financial records may be retained for the period required for tax and accounting purposes. Enquiry information that does not lead to counselling will not be kept for longer than reasonably necessary.
SECURITY
I take reasonable steps to keep information secure. Online sessions take place through Konfidens. Access to practice systems is restricted, and appropriate password and device security is used.
No internet or email service can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Please do not send urgent, highly sensitive or emergency information through the website contact form.
YOUR RIGHTS
Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:
• ask for a copy of your personal information
• ask for inaccurate information to be corrected
• ask for information to be deleted
• restrict or object to how information is used
• withdraw consent where processing relies on consent
Some rights may be limited where information must be retained for legal, safeguarding, professional or insurance reasons.
To ask a question or exercise your rights, email lucy@counsellingwithlucy.co.uk.
You may also raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.
COOKIES
Cookies are small files placed on your device when you visit a website.
This Wix website uses cookies that are necessary for it to operate securely and correctly. These essential cookies do not require consent.
Optional analytics or marketing cookies will only be used where appropriate consent has been obtained. If optional cookies are enabled, the website will provide controls allowing you to accept, reject or manage them.
You can also control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect how the website works.
CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE
I may update this page if my services, technology or legal obligations change. The date at the top will show when it was most recently updated.
CONTACT
For questions about this notice or how I use personal information, email:
lucy@counsellingwithlucy.co.uk