Paula Levack Counselling

Privacy Policy

Paula Levack Counselling

Last updated: 10 September 2026

Reaching out to a therapist can already feel like a big step, and I want you to feel confident about how your information is looked after from your very first message. This policy explains, in plain terms, what personal information I collect through this website and my practice, why, and what rights you have over it.

  1. Who I am

 

I'm Paula Levack (BSc Hons, MBACP), and I provide couples and individual therapy as Paula Levack Counselling. For data protection purposes, I am the "data controller" — I decide how and why your personal information is collected and used. You can contact me about anything in this policy at info@paulalevack.co.uk. 

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as a data controller, registration number: ZC104680.

  1. What this policy covers

 

This policy applies whether you're browsing this website, getting in touch with a question, booking a free introductory call, or working with me as a client. It sits alongside — rather than replaces — the confidentiality agreement I'll go through with you directly if we start working together.

3. The information I collect

 

Browsing the website: standard technical information collected through cookies, such as your browser type and the pages you visit. See "Cookies" below.

 

Making an enquiry: your name, email address, and whatever you choose to write in the message.

 

Booking a free introductory call: this is currently handled through Counselling Directory's booking system, not directly on this site. When you use it, you're also giving information to Counselling Directory (run by Memiah Limited), and their own privacy notice governs that part of the process — you can read it at counselling-directory.org.uk/privacy.html.

 

Becoming a client: your contact details, notes from our sessions, and anything relevant you share with me about your health, relationships, and wellbeing. I may also ask for an emergency contact and/or your GP's details, and hold basic billing information.

  1. Why I collect it, and my lawful basis

 

I use your information to respond to enquiries, provide and keep an accurate record of therapy, meet my professional and ethical obligations as a BACP-registered counsellor, and handle billing where relevant.

5. Who I share your information with

 

I don't sell or rent out your information. I may share it with:

- Counselling Directory / Memiah Limited, if you book a call through their system

- service providers who help me run this website and my practice (vestlandweb.no), who only process data on my instructions

- professional or regulatory bodies (such as BACP or the ICO), my insurer, or emergency services, where I'm required or entitled to

6. Keeping your information secure

I take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

7. Cookies

This site uses cookies, which you're asked about through the consent banner the first time you visit. These generally fall into a few categories:

 

- Necessary/Functional — needed for the site to work properly; always on.

- Preferences — remember choices you've made.

- Statistics— help me understand, broadly, how the site is used.

- Marketing — only ever set with your consent.

 

You can review or change your choices at any time using the cookie settings link on the site. If I ever collect your email address for updates or a newsletter, I'll always ask for your clear opt-in first, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

8. Your rights

 

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

 

- ask for a copy of the information I hold about you

- ask me to correct anything inaccurate

- ask me to delete your information (with the exception of: Client records: kept for at least 7 years after our work together ends.)

- ask me to restrict how I use your information, or object to it

- withdraw consent at any time, without affecting anything already done

- complain to the ICO, the UK's data protection regulator, if you're unhappy with how I've handled your information — ico.org.uk, or 0303 123 1113

 

To use any of these rights, email me at info@paulalevack.co.uk. I'll normally respond within one month.

9. Children

 

My services are aimed at adults. I currently do not work with individuals under 18 years of age.

 

10. Changes to this policy

 

I may update this policy from time to time — for example, if my practice or the law changes. The date at the top shows when it was last updated.

 

11. Contact

 

Questions or concerns about how your information is used are always welcome at info@paulalevack.co.uk