Privacy Policy 

Your privacy is important to me. This policy explains how I collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit my website or work with me in counselling. I aim to be clear, transparent, and respectful, in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and my professional ethical commitments.

1. Who I Am

Silver Tree Counselling Service is run by:
Name: Claire Birch
Address: 40 Birches Fold Coal Aston Dronfield S18 3AG
Email: claire.birch@silvertreecounsellingservice.co.uk
Telephone: 07359 003927

2. What Information I Collect

I may collect and store the following information:

Website enquiries: Your name, email address, phone number, and any details you choose to share in a contact form or email.

Counselling records: Brief factual notes about our sessions, as required by my professional standards.

Administrative information: Appointment times, payment details, and correspondence.

Website cookies: Basic analytics data (if enabled) to understand how people use the site — no tracking for advertising purposes.

3. How I Use Your Information

I only use your information for:

Responding to your enquiries.

Arranging and delivering counselling sessions.

Keeping records in line with my professional and legal obligations.

Improving my website and services.

4. How I Store and Protect Your Data

All electronic records are stored securely on password-protected devices and/or encrypted systems.

Paper notes (if used) are kept in a locked cabinet.

I will not share your information with third parties unless required by law or with your explicit consent.

5. Confidentiality and Its Limits

Everything you share in counselling is confidential, except in rare situations where I may need to break confidentiality for safety reasons — for example, if I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if required by law (such as a court order). Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first.

6. How Long I Keep Your Information

Counselling notes: kept for 7 years after our work ends, then securely destroyed.

Contact form or enquiry emails: deleted once no longer needed.

Financial records: kept for the period required by HMRC (currently 6 years).

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access a copy of the information I hold about you.

Ask me to correct or delete information (unless I must keep it for legal reasons).

Withdraw consent for me to contact you.

Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data rights have been breached.

8. Cookies

This website may use essential cookies for functionality and optional cookies for analytics. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies.