WEBSITE PRIVACY NOTICE

Privacy & Data Protection at Open Ground Counselling

Last updated: October 2026

Open Ground Counselling is operated by Suzanne Morgan, who is the data controller responsible for how personal information is collected, used and stored. I handle personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

This Website Privacy Notice explains how your information is handled when you visit this website or make an initial enquiry. Further information about confidentiality, privacy and how your personal information is handled during counselling will be provided in the Client Privacy Notice before therapy begins.

1. Information I collect

When you contact me by email, telephone or text message, I collect your name, email address or telephone number, together with any information you choose to include in your enquiry.

I encourage you to keep your initial enquiry brief, as we can discuss your circumstances in more detail when we speak.

I use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry and discuss the possibility of arranging counselling.

2. How your information is protected

I treat enquiries confidentially and take appropriate measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access or disclosure.

Information received electronically is held in password-protected accounts and devices. I take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is kept accurate and secure.

I use trusted service providers to support my website and communications. Personal information is only shared where necessary for the purposes described in this notice, where required by law or where otherwise permitted under data protection legislation.

3. Lawful basis for processing

I process enquiry information where necessary to take steps towards a potential counselling agreement, in accordance with UK data protection law.

If you choose to include information about your physical or mental health in your initial enquiry, I treat this as special category data, which is subject to additional protections under UK data protection law.

4. How long information is kept

Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, taking account of applicable legal and professional requirements.

Information relating to enquiries that do not lead to counselling is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to the enquiry and manage any subsequent correspondence.

Information is securely deleted when no longer required.

5. Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to request access to your personal information and to ask for inaccurate information to be corrected. You may also request deletion of your information, subject to applicable legal requirements.

If you have any questions about how your information is handled or wish to exercise your rights, please contact me using the details provided below.

You may also raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

6. Cookies and external links

This website is built using Google Sites, which uses cookies and similar technologies to support its operation and may collect information about website traffic. I do not use Google Analytics or independently track individual visitors.

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Further information is available in Google's Cookie Policy.

This website also contains links to external websites. Please refer to their individual privacy policies for information about how they handle personal information.

7. Changes to this Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated to reflect changes in legal requirements or the way I operate my practice. Updates will be published on this page.

8. Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your information is handled, please contact me by email.

info@opengroundcounselling.com