Privacy Policy and Data Protection

Last updated: July 2026

1. Who We Are

SJRCounselling is operated by Sam Rawlings, a Children's Creative Counsellor providing emotional wellbeing support, creative therapy sessions, and resources for children, young people and parents.

Business Name: SJRCounselling
Address: 13 Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates, Leeds LS15 8BA, United Kingdom
Email: sam@sjrcounselling.com
Telephone: 01977 801654

2. What Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

Name
Email address
Telephone number (where provided)
Information submitted via enquiry, contact or booking forms
Client information, assessment forms and counselling session notes
Payment information (processed securely via Stripe or bank transfer)
IP address, browser information and website usage data

Some of this information, particularly information relating to counselling services, is classified as special category personal data under UK data protection law and is treated with additional care and security.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect information when you:

Complete forms on our website (hosted by Wix)
Subscribe to emails or download resources via MailerLite
Contact us by email, telephone or social media
Book appointments or counselling services
Complete client onboarding documents
Use our client management system (Carepatron)
Make payments via Stripe or bank transfer
Visit our website through cookies and similar technologies

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your information to:

Respond to enquiries
Deliver counselling services
Maintain secure client records
Arrange and manage appointments
Deliver purchased services and resources
Send newsletters or marketing communications where consent has been given
Improve our website and services
Meet legal, safeguarding and professional obligations
Protect the security and integrity of our systems

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

Consent
Performance of a contract
Legitimate interests
Compliance with legal obligations

Where we process special category data, we rely on:

Explicit consent where appropriate
The provision of health or social care services
Compliance with professional safeguarding and legal obligations where applicable

6. How We Store and Protect Your Data

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to keep your personal information secure.

Your information may be stored securely using:

Wix
MailerLite
Stripe
Carepatron
Secure banking providers

We do not store full card payment details.

Where our service providers process information outside the UK, appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK data protection law.

We only work with providers that meet appropriate security and data protection standards.

7. Third-Party Providers

We only share personal information where necessary with trusted providers, including:

Wix (website hosting and forms)
MailerLite (email communications)
Stripe (payment processing)
Carepatron (secure client records)
Banking providers (bank transfer payments)

Each provider processes information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable data protection legislation.

8. Data Retention

We only keep personal information for as long as necessary.

Typical retention periods include:

General enquiries – for a reasonable period to respond and manage enquiries
Email subscribers – until consent is withdrawn or you unsubscribe
Client records – retained in accordance with professional, insurance and legal requirements (typically 7 years after counselling ends unless a longer period is legally required)

When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or destroyed.

9. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, you have the right to:

Access your personal information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of your information where appropriate
Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent
Restrict processing
Object to certain types of processing
Request a copy of your data in a portable format where applicable

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

10. Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

Ensure the website functions correctly
Improve website performance
Analyse website traffic
Support marketing activities where appropriate

Some cookies are essential for the operation of the website and do not require consent. Where required by law, we will request your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.

You can manage or disable cookies at any time through your browser settings or via our cookie preferences.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we process your personal information, please contact:

Email: sam@sjrcounselling.com

Telephone: 01977 801654

12. Data Protection Complaints

If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can investigate and respond.

You can contact us at: