Privacy notice

Who I am

Anthea Benjamin, psychodynamic therapist, [practice address]. I am the "data controller" for the personal information described in this notice. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), registration number [ICO registration number — required for most therapists].

What information I collect

• Enquiries: your name, email address, preferred contact method and the contents of your message, when you contact me via this website, email or phone.
• Clients: contact details, brief background and health information you share in our first session, and brief factual session notes (kept separately from anything that could identify you, where possible).
• Website: this site does not use analytics or tracking cookies. See the cookie notice.

How I use your information

• To respond to your enquiry and arrange an introductory call.
• To provide therapy, manage appointments and take payment.
• To meet legal, insurance and professional-body requirements.

The lawful bases I rely on are your consent (for enquiries), performance of our agreement (for therapy), and legal obligation (for record-keeping). Special category data (such as health information) is processed because it is necessary for the provision of health care, and with appropriate confidentiality safeguards.

Confidentiality

What you say in therapy is confidential. I discuss my clinical work with a qualified supervisor, as required by my professional body, but your identity is protected. Confidentiality has legal and ethical limits — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or where disclosure is required by law. I explain these limits fully in our first session.

How long I keep information

Enquiry emails and messages are deleted within [period, e.g. 6 months] if we do not work together. Client records are kept for [period, e.g. 7 years] after therapy ends, in line with [professional body / insurer] guidance, and then securely destroyed.

How information is stored

Records are stored [securely encrypted digitally / in a locked cabinet]. Emails and the website enquiry form are processed by [email provider / form provider], whose own privacy policies apply. I never sell or share your information for marketing.

Your rights

You have the right to ask for a copy of the information I hold about you, to have it corrected, to ask for it to be deleted (subject to record-keeping obligations), and to complain to the ICO (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113) if you are unhappy with how your information is handled.

Contact

For any privacy question or request, contact me at [hello@antheabenjamin.co.uk].