Privacy Policy

Who I Am

Jennifer McKean MSc. MBACP, MNCPS Acc. MAC

Jennifer McKean Counselling & Coaching

Website: www.jennifermckean.co.uk

Email: hello@jennifermckean.co.uk

I am the Data Controller for any personal information you share with me.

What Information I Collect

I collect only what is necessary to provide my services. This may include:

Your name and contact details (email and/or phone number)
Signed agreement and associated paperwork
Brief session records
Appointment attendance records
Payment records and invoices
Information shared when making an enquiry

Information shared in sessions may include special category data (e.g., mental health information). I process this with your explicit consent under UK GDPR.

Why I Collect It

To respond to enquiries, arrange and manage appointments, process payments, and meet my professional, legal, insurance, and ethical obligations.

Lawful Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Contract — to provide the services you’ve requested.

Legitimate Interests — to manage my practice effectively.

Legal Obligation — to comply with safeguarding, insurance, tax, and professional requirements.

Confidentiality

Everything shared in sessions is confidential, except where:

There is a serious risk of harm to you or another person
There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult
Disclosure is required by law or court order (including acts of terrorism)

Where possible, I will always speak with you before sharing any information.

Clinical Supervision

As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), I attend regular clinical supervision as part of my professional and ethical responsibilities. Client work is discussed using first names only, with no identifying information shared. My supervisor is bound by the same professional confidentiality requirements.

How I Communicate and Store Information

I may communicate via email and/or WhatsApp. While these platforms have their own security measures, electronic communication cannot be fully guaranteed to be secure. By using these channels, you acknowledge this.

Third-party services such as email, WhatsApp, and payment processors have their own privacy policies and security measures.

All records are stored securely on password-protected systems.

Payments

Payments can be made via secure weekly payment links in your booking confirmation email, or by BACS bank transfer. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Payments are processed securely in accordance with our payment provider’s own privacy policy.

How Long I Keep Your Information

Records are retained in line with BACP and NCPS guidance and insurance requirements - typically 7 years after our work ends, or until age 25 for young people. Records are then securely deleted or destroyed.

Website & Cookies

My website uses only essential cookies and does not use analytics or tracking tools. Any data submitted via the contact form is used only to respond to your enquiry.

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

Access your personal information
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Request erasure of information where applicable
Restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances
Withdraw consent at any time
Lodge a complaint with the ICO

Concerns or Complaints

Please contact me in the first instance - I welcome the opportunity to address any concerns directly. If you remain dissatisfied, you can contact:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The current version will always be available at www.jennifermckean.co.uk.

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