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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 08/08/2025

SPIRE Therapy is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are
SPIRE Therapy is a private therapy service offering both in-person and online sessions.
For the purpose of data protection law, we act as the “data controller” for the personal information we collect from clients and website visitors.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Lindsay McCarthy
Email: info@spiretherapy.net
Phone: 07807005635

2. What Personal Data We Collect
We may collect and process the following personal data:
A. Personal Identification Data

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Contact details (email, phone number, address)
     

B. Sensitive Health Data (Special Category Data)

  • Information related to your mental health and wellbeing

  • Session notes or assessments (where applicable)
     

C. Technical & Usage Data

  • IP address

  • Browser type and device info

  • Information collected via cookies (see Cookie Policy)
     

D. Communications

  • Emails, messages, and records of your correspondence with us
     

3. How We Collect Your Data

  • Directly from you via contact forms, emails, phone calls, or in-session discussions

  • Automatically via our website (e.g. cookies and analytics tools)
     

4. Why We Collect Your Data
We collect and use your personal data for the following reasons:
Purpose Legal Basis (UK GDPR)
To provide therapy services  - Consent / Contract
To communicate with you - Legitimate interest / Consent
To keep records for clinical purposes - Legal obligation / Legitimate interest
To improve our website & services - Legitimate interest
To comply with legal/regulatory duties - Legal obligation

5. How Your Data is Stored

  • Personal and clinical data is stored securely in encrypted files or password-protected systems.

  • Paper-based notes (if any) are kept in locked storage.

  • Emails are stored securely through encrypted email services.
     

6. How Long We Keep Your Data
We retain client records for 7 years after the end of therapy (or as required by professional bodies such as BACP), unless otherwise requested. After this period, data is securely deleted or destroyed.

7. Sharing Your Information
We do not share your personal information with third parties unless:

  • You give explicit, written consent

  • We are legally required to (e.g., court order or safeguarding concerns)

  • In a medical emergency where disclosure is in your vital interest
     

8. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Access – Request a copy of your data

  • Rectification – Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data

  • Erasure – Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")

  • Restriction – Request limited use of your data

  • Objection – Object to how we use your data in certain situations

  • Data Portability – Request transfer of your data to another provider

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

9. Data Transfers
We do not transfer your personal data outside of the UK or EEA. If this ever becomes necessary (e.g., using certain third-party platforms), we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

10. Website Cookies
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. For more details on the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our separate [Cookie Policy].

11. Confidentiality & Safeguarding
While confidentiality is fundamental to therapy, there are exceptions where we may need to break confidentiality:

  • If you disclose intent to harm yourself or others

  • If there is a legal requirement (e.g., child protection, terrorism)

  • If subpoenaed by a court

Where possible, you will be informed before any disclosure.

12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The most recent version will always be available on our website. You are encouraged to review it regularly.

Last updated: 08/08/2025

If you have any concerns or complaints, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
www.ico.org.uk

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