CAT Therapy

1. Introduction

This privacy policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when you use this website or contact Dr Lesley Cousins for psychological services.

Dr Lesley Cousins is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in a lawful, fair, and transparent way, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Data Controller

For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller is:

Dr Lesley Cousins
Chartered Clinical Psychologist
Email: lesley@cattherapy.example
Telephone: +44 1234 567890

(Replace contact details with your real information.)

3. What personal data is collected

a) Website enquiries

If you contact Dr Lesley Cousins via this website, email, or telephone, the following personal data may be collected:

  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • Your phone number (if provided)
  • The content of your message or enquiry

b) Therapy-related data

If you engage in psychological therapy, additional special category data may be collected, including:

  • Mental health information
  • Relevant personal history
  • Session notes and clinical records
  • Correspondence related to your care

This information is necessary for the provision of psychological services.

4. Lawful basis for processing

Under UK GDPR, personal data must be processed under a lawful basis.

a) General personal data

Personal data is processed under:

  • Article 6(1)(b) — performance of a contract (to provide therapy services)
  • Article 6(1)(f) — legitimate interests (responding to enquiries, administration)

b) Special category (health) data

Health data is processed under:

  • Article 9(2)(h) — provision of health or social care
  • Article 9(2)(a) — explicit consent, where applicable

5. How your data is used

Your personal data may be used to:

  • Respond to enquiries
  • Arrange and manage appointments
  • Provide psychological assessment and therapy
  • Maintain accurate clinical records
  • Meet professional, ethical, and legal obligations

Your data will never be used for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

6. How your data is stored

  • Electronic records are stored on password-protected, encrypted devices or secure systems.
  • Paper records (if any) are stored in locked filing systems.
  • Reasonable technical and organisational measures are in place to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

7. Data retention

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary.

  • Clinical records are typically retained for at least 7 years after the end of therapy, in line with professional guidance.
  • Enquiry data from individuals who do not proceed to therapy is retained for a limited period and then securely deleted.

Exact retention periods may vary depending on legal and professional requirements.

8. Confidentiality and data sharing

Your personal data is treated as confidential.

Information may only be shared:

  • With your explicit consent
  • Where required by law
  • Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or others
  • For clinical supervision (anonymised where possible)
  • With relevant healthcare professionals involved in your care, where appropriate

Data is never sold or shared for commercial purposes.

9. Cookies and website analytics

This website may use basic cookies or analytics tools to understand how the site is used and to improve its performance.

Cookies do not collect personally identifiable information.
You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings.

(Adjust this section if you use Google Analytics or similar tools.)

10. Your rights under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request erasure of your data (where legally permissible)
  • Restrict processing
  • Object to processing
  • Request data portability
  • Withdraw consent (where consent is the lawful basis)

To exercise these rights, please contact Dr Lesley Cousins using the details above.

11. Making a complaint

If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you are encouraged to raise them directly with Dr Lesley Cousins.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

12. Changes to this privacy policy

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or practice procedures.
The most recent version will always be available on this website.