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Privacy Notice

Last updated: August 2026

Who I Am

I am David Houliston, a counsellor in private practice trading as The In Between Place. I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and in accordance with UK data protection law.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your information is used, you can contact me at:

Email: hello@theinbetweenplace.com
Website: theinbetweenplace.com

What Information I Collect

When you contact me

If you make an enquiry through my website, email, telephone, or an online directory profile, I may collect:

  • Your name
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Information you choose to share about your situation

If you become a client

I may collect and process:

  • Contact details
  • Emergency contact details
  • GP details (where relevant)
  • Session notes
  • Information relating to your health, wellbeing, relationships, and personal circumstances
  • Administrative and payment records

Some of this information is classified as special category personal data because it relates to health and wellbeing.

Why I Collect Your Information

I collect and use personal information to:

  • Respond to enquiries
  • Arrange and provide counselling sessions
  • Maintain counselling records
  • Manage appointments and payments
  • Comply with professional, ethical, legal, and insurance requirements
  • Protect clients or others where safeguarding concerns arise

Lawful Basis for Processing

The lawful bases I rely upon are:

  • Performance of a contract (providing counselling services)
  • Legitimate interests (running and administering my practice)
  • Compliance with legal obligations
  • Provision of health and wellbeing support (special category data)

Confidentiality

Everything discussed in counselling is treated confidentially.

However, confidentiality may be broken where:

  • There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person
  • There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
  • Disclosure is required by law or court order
  • You provide consent for information to be shared

Where possible, I will discuss any disclosure with you first.

How Long Information Is Kept

Enquiry information is normally retained for up to 12 months.

Client records are normally retained for 7 years after counselling ends (or longer where professional, insurance, or legal requirements make this necessary).

Information is then securely deleted or destroyed.

How Your Information Is Stored

Administrative information relating to appointments, bookings, invoices, and client contact details is stored securely using my practice management system, BookMyTherapy. Electronic records are protected using appropriate security measures, including password protection and secure systems designed to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

Where online counselling sessions are provided, I use Doxy.me, a secure video consultation platform. Information necessary to facilitate online appointments may be processed through it.

Sharing Information

Your personal information will not be sold or shared for marketing purposes.

Information may be shared only where necessary with:

  • My clinical supervisor (with identifying information minimised wherever possible)
  • Professional advisers, insurers, or legal representatives where required
  • Safeguarding agencies where there is a risk of serious harm
  • Law enforcement or regulatory bodies where required by law

Online Counselling

If you choose to attend counselling online, sessions are conducted using Doxy.me.

While reasonable steps are taken to ensure confidentiality and security, no internet-based communication system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. By participating in online counselling, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with electronic communication.

You are encouraged to access sessions from a private location and to take reasonable steps to protect your own privacy and security.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights including:

  • The right to be informed
  • The right of access
  • The right to rectification
  • The right to erasure (in certain circumstances)
  • The right to restrict processing
  • The right to object
  • The right to data portability (where applicable)

Requests relating to your data should be made using the contact details above.

Cookies and Website Analytics

This website may use essential cookies required for the operation of the site.

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

Data Protection Complaints

If you have concerns about how I have handled your personal information, please contact me in the first instance using the details above.

If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Changes to This Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this website.