Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 2025

Your privacy is important to me. This privacy policy explains how I handle any personal information collected through this website, including via the contact page.

1. Who I Am

This website is operated by David James Simpson, a qualified counsellor providing therapeutic services to individuals and groups in the UK.

2. What Personal Data I Collect

Contact Page and Direct Emails:

If you use the contact page to get in touch, I may collect personal data such as your name, email address, and any information you choose to provide in your message. This information is used solely to respond to your enquiry or to provide agreed-upon services. It is not shared with third parties unless required by law or for safeguarding reasons.

Analytics and Cookies:

I use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use this site. Google Analytics collects anonymised data such as:

Pages visited
Time spent on pages
Device and browser information
General geographic location (not your exact address)

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking through your browser settings or by using tools such as Google’s Opt-Out Add-on.

To help protect your personal data, I also recommend keeping your web browser and operating system updated to the latest versions, as updates often include important security patches.

3. Online Platforms

I offer online counselling sessions using secure platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. These platforms provide end-to-end encryption and are widely used in therapeutic contexts, though no platform can be guaranteed 100% risk-free. I take all reasonable steps to maintain your confidentiality, including password-protected meetings, waiting rooms, and secure devices.

You are encouraged to attend sessions in a private, quiet space where you won’t be overheard or interrupted.

No recordings are ever made — under any circumstances.

I do not record sessions, and I never will.

4. Ethical Commitment

As a member of the Britsh Association for Counselling and Pychotherapy, I abide by its Ethical Framework, which includes clear guidelines on:

Confidentiality and data protection
Safe, boundaried practice (including remote therapy)
Transparency and informed consent
Respect for your autonomy and dignity

This means I will always explain how your information is used, stored, and protected. I am committed to ethical, lawful, and respectful practice in all aspects of my work, whether in person or online.

5. Contacting Me

If you contact me via the contact page or directly by email or phone, your personal data will be handled confidentially and only used for the purpose of responding to your enquiry or providing services. I do not use your details for marketing or share them with third parties, unless legally required or for safeguarding purposes.

6. Data Security

All reasonable steps are taken to protect your data. This site uses SSL encryption (https://) to ensure a secure connection.

For your own security, please ensure that you keep your web browser and operating system up to date, as these updates often fix vulnerabilities and improve safety.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access any personal data I may hold about you
Request corrections or deletions
Object to or restrict data processing

Please contact me if you wish to exercise any of these rights.

8. Changes to This Policy

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.

Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or how your data is handled, please contact:

David James