Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 20 February 2026

Data Controller:
Becky Walsh (Sole Trader)
33 Clifton Road
Weston-super-Mare
North Somerset
BS23 1BN
Email: becky@beckywalsh.com

Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), United Kingdom.

1. Introduction

Becky Walsh respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when you use the following websites and their subdomains:

This policy is written in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact:
becky@beckywalsh.com

2. The Personal Data We Collect

Depending on how you use the websites or services, we may collect:

General Website Users

  • Full name

  • Email address

  • Telephone number

  • Postal address

  • Company name (if applicable)

  • IP address

  • Browser type and operating system

  • Website usage data (via analytics tools)

  • Any information you voluntarily provide via forms or email

Counselling Clients (Special Category Data)

If you engage in counselling services, we will collect and process additional information, including:

  • Health information

  • Mental wellbeing information

  • Personal history shared during sessions

  • Session notes

This is known as special category data, which receives extra legal protection under data protection law.

We do not collect genetic data and we are not a DNA testing service.

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your data to:

  • Respond to enquiries

  • Provide counselling services

  • Deliver courses, workshops, or events

  • Manage bookings and payments

  • Send newsletters (where you have opted in)

  • Improve website performance and user experience

  • Comply with legal, professional, and insurance obligations

We do not sell your personal data.
We do not send unsolicited marketing.

4. Lawful Bases for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we must have a legal reason to process your data.

General Personal Data (Article 6 UK GDPR)

We rely on:

  • Contract – where processing is necessary to provide a service you have requested

  • Legal obligation – for tax, accounting, or regulatory compliance

  • Legitimate interests – to operate and improve the website and services

  • Consent – for newsletters and non-essential cookies

Special Category Data (Article 9 UK GDPR)

For counselling services, we rely on:

  • Article 9(2)(h) – processing necessary for the provision of health or social care

  • Professional confidentiality obligations as a BACP-registered practitioner

We do not rely on consent as the primary legal basis for counselling records.

5. Data Sharing and Third-Party Processors

We only share personal data where necessary to provide services.

Service Providers Used

Provider Purpose Data Shared
MailerLite Email newsletters Name, email address
Zoom Online sessions (not recorded) Name, email
PayPal / BACS Payment processing Payment information
WordPress Website hosting Technical and usage data
Squarespace (beckywalsh.live) Website hosting Technical and usage data
Google Analytics (GA4) Website analytics IP address and usage data
Meta (Facebook/Instagram Pixel) Marketing analytics (with consent only) Pixel interaction data
Google (Gmail) Email communications Email correspondence

All providers act as data processors and are required to comply with UK GDPR.

6. International Data Transfers

Some service providers (such as Google and Meta) may process data outside the UK.

Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

  • UK International Data Transfer Agreements

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)

  • UK adequacy regulations

These safeguards ensure your data receives an equivalent level of protection.

7. Data Retention

We only retain personal data for as long as necessary.

  • Counselling notes: 7 years after your final session (in line with professional and insurance requirements), then securely deleted

  • Financial records: 6–7 years (HMRC legal requirement)

  • General enquiries (no ongoing relationship): up to 12 months

  • Mailing list contacts: until you unsubscribe

  • Analytics data: up to 26 months

When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or destroyed.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our websites use cookies.

Essential Cookies

Required for website functionality.

Analytics Cookies

Used to understand website performance (Google Analytics).
These are only activated where you provide consent.

Marketing Cookies

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Pixel is used for marketing analytics.
This is only activated where you provide explicit consent.

You can withdraw consent at any time via the cookie banner or browser settings.

We do not use tracking technologies for health profiling.

9. Counselling Data Security

Because counselling involves sensitive personal information, additional safeguards apply:

  • Session notes stored locally on a password-protected device

  • Device encryption enabled

  • Access restricted solely to Becky Walsh

  • Anti-virus and firewall protections in place

  • Zoom sessions are not recorded

  • Professional confidentiality obligations apply under BACP standards

While reasonable security measures are taken, no internet transmission is completely secure.

10. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Correct inaccurate data

  • Request deletion (where legally permitted)

  • Restrict processing

  • Object to processing

  • Request data portability

  • Withdraw consent (where processing relies on consent)

Requests can be made by emailing:
becky@beckywalsh.com

We may need to verify your identity before processing requests.
We will respond within one month.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
https://www.ico.org.uk

11. Children’s Data

Our services are not directed at children under 16.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

If you believe a child’s data has been provided, please contact us and it will be deleted promptly.

12. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically.

Any updates will be published on this page with a revised effective date.

Controller: Becky Walsh (Sole Trader)
ICO Registered
Contact: becky@beckywalsh.com