Hark Therapy – Privacy Policy

Last updated: Dec 01 - 2025

Hark Therapy is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that any personal information you share is handled safely, respectfully and in accordance with UK data-protection law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

As a registered data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO Registration: ZB605926), Hark Therapy takes confidentiality and data security extremely seriously.

1. About Hark Therapy

Hark Therapy is owned and operated by Catherine Randalls, Accredited Counsellor and Hypnotherapist.

Contact details:
📧 catherine@harktherapy.co.uk
📞 07551 001502

2. What personal data do I collect?

To provide counselling and hypnotherapy services, I may need to collect the following information:

Information you provide directly

  • Your name

  • Contact details (email address, telephone number)

  • Emergency contact information

  • Relevant GP or medical details (only if required)

  • Information shared during sessions, including personal history, emotional experiences, and therapeutic notes

  • Payment information (no card details are stored)

Information collected when contacting me

  • Emails, messages, or website contact form submissions

  • Booking information for consultations and sessions

3. How your information is used

I use your information to:

  • Provide counselling and/or hypnotherapy services

  • Arrange appointments and communicate with you

  • Maintain accurate clinical records

  • Deliver a safe, ethical and professional service

  • Meet legal, ethical and regulatory obligations (for example, professional supervision)

I do not use your data for marketing, nor do I sell or share it with third parties for commercial purposes.

4. Confidentiality

Counselling is highly confidential.

Everything you share is kept private unless:

  • You give explicit consent for information to be shared;

  • There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else;

  • I am legally required to disclose information (e.g., safeguarding obligations or court orders).

Wherever possible, I will always discuss this with you first.

5. Reviews & Testimonials

Any reviews, testimonials or feedback you provide are kept entirely anonymous.
No identifying details will ever be used without your explicit written consent.

6. How your data is stored

Your data is stored securely in accordance with ICO guidance:

  • Electronic notes and emails are stored on password-protected devices

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

  • Only I (Catherine) have access to client information

  • Data is never stored on unencrypted systems or shared drives

7. How long your data is kept

Counselling and clinical notes are kept for 7 years from your final session, as required by professional and insurance guidelines.
After this time, they are securely destroyed.

Emails, contact information, and administrative records may be deleted sooner if no longer required.

8. Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal data

  • Ask for incorrect information to be corrected

  • Ask for your data to be erased (in certain circumstances)

  • Request restrictions on how your data is used

  • Withdraw consent where applicable

  • Lodge a complaint with the ICO if you believe your data has been handled unlawfully

The ICO can be contacted at www.ico.org.uk.

9. Third-party services

I only share data with third parties when necessary, such as:

  • My professional supervisor (information is anonymised)

  • Emergency services if there is a serious safeguarding concern

I do not share data with advertisers, analytics companies, or external marketers.

10. Website & digital privacy

When you visit www.harktherapy.co.uk:

  • Basic website analytics may be collected (e.g., number of visits), but no identifying personal data

  • Cookies may be used to improve website functionality

  • Online contact forms send your message directly to my secure email inbox

11. Changes to this policy

This privacy policy may be updated occasionally to reflect legal or service changes.
The most recent version will always be available on my website.

12. Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your personal data, please contact:

📧 catherine@harktherapy.co.uk
📞 07551 001502

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