Sarah McKimm Counselling Last Updated: June 2026

Sarah McKimm Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, securely and in accordance with UK data protection law.This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you visit this website, make an enquiry, engage in counselling services, or communicate with me by email, telephone, text message or online forms.Sarah McKimm Counselling acts as the Data Controller for the personal information collected and processed through this practice.

Sarah McKimm CounsellingSarah McKimm Registered Counsellor (BACP)Email: Info@sarahmckimmcounselling.co.ukWebsite: www.sarahmckimmcounselling.co.ukIf you have any questions regarding this policy or the way your information is handled, please contact me using the details above.

The information collected depends on the nature of your contact with the practice.

If you contact me to enquire about counselling, I may collect:

• Your name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Preferred method of contact
• Information you choose to share about your circumstances

If counselling services commence, I may collect:

• Name and contact details
• Home address
• Date of birth
• Emergency contact details
• GP details where appropriate
• Appointment records
• Session notes
• Assessment information
• Payment and invoicing records
• Relevant information relating to your wellbeing and counselling needs

Only information necessary for the safe and effective delivery of counselling services will be collected.

When you visit this website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Pages viewed
• Date and time of visits
• Referring websites

This information is typically collected through cookies and website analytics tools.

As part of providing counselling services, I may process information relating to your physical health, mental health, emotional wellbeing, family circumstances or other sensitive matters.Under UK GDPR, this information is classified as Special Category Data.Such information is handled with the highest level of confidentiality and is processed only where necessary for the provision of counselling services and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

Your information may be used to:

• Respond to enquiries
• Arrange consultations and appointments
• Deliver counselling services
• Maintain appropriate clinical records
• Communicate regarding appointments and cancellations
• Process payments and invoices
• Meet professional, ethical and legal obligations
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Protect the welfare of clients and others where safeguarding concerns arise

Information will only be used for legitimate and lawful purposes.

The UK GDPR requires a lawful basis for processing personal information.

This may include:

• Responding to enquiries
• Managing appointments
• Maintaining practice records
• Operating and improving counselling services

Where counselling services are agreed, information is processed to fulfil the counselling agreement between counsellor and client.

Information may be processed where required by law, including:

• Safeguarding responsibilities
• Financial record keeping
• Compliance with court orders or legal requirements

Where consent is required, such as certain communications or activities not covered by another lawful basis, consent will be obtained and may be withdrawn at any time.

Sensitive personal information is processed under the provisions allowing healthcare, counselling and therapeutic services to be provided safely and effectively.

Confidentiality forms an essential part of the therapeutic relationship.Information shared within counselling sessions will remain confidential except where:

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

Wherever possible, any necessary disclosure will be discussed with you beforehand unless doing so would increase risk or be prohibited by law.

In accordance with the ethical requirements of the counselling profession, I attend regular professional supervision.During supervision, client work may be discussed in a way that protects client identity. Personal details are not routinely disclosed, and supervisors are bound by professional confidentiality requirements.

Personal information is kept only for as long as necessary and in line with professional guidance, insurance requirements and legal obligations.

Information relating to individuals who enquire about counselling but do not proceed may be retained for up to 12 months.

Client records are generally retained for:

• Seven years after counselling ends for adult clients
• Seven years after a young person reaches the age of 18 where counselling was provided to a minor

Once retention periods have expired, records will be securely destroyed or permanently deleted.

Your information will never be sold or shared for marketing purposes.Information may be shared only where necessary with:

• Professional supervisors
• Secure website providers
• Email and technology service providers
• Payment processing services
• Accountants or professional advisers
• Regulatory or safeguarding authorities where required
• Emergency services where there is a significant risk of harm

Any organisation processing information on behalf of the practice is expected to comply with relevant data protection legislation.

This website may utilise third-party services for hosting, security, analytics and functionality.These providers may process limited information in order to deliver their services.Where links are provided to external websites, please note that those websites operate under their own privacy policies and practices.

Appropriate technical and organisational measures are used to safeguard personal information.These measures include:

• Password-protected systems
• Secure devices
• Secure storage of records
• Restricted access to information
• Regular review of data protection procedures

While every reasonable effort is made to protect information, no online system can guarantee absolute security.

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request erasure of information in certain circumstances
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Request transfer of information where applicable
• Withdraw consent where consent is relied upon

Requests can be made using the contact details provided above.Responses will normally be provided within one month.

If you have concerns about the way your information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance so that I can investigate and attempt to resolve the matter.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office if you believe your personal information has been processed unlawfully.Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/Telephone: 0303 123 1113Address:Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

This Privacy Policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation, professional requirements or practice procedures.The latest version will always be available on this website.

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact:Sarah McKimm CounsellingEmail: info@sarahmckimcounselling.co.ukWebsite: www.sarahmckimmcounselling.co.uk
 

Sarah McKimm Counselling Service Last Updated: June 2026

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function effectively, improve user experience, remember preferences, and provide information about how visitors use the site.Cookies do not usually identify you directly. However, where cookies are linked to other information, they may be capable of identifying an individual and therefore may constitute personal data under data protection legislation.

Sarah McKimm Counselling Service uses cookies to:

• Ensure the website functions correctly and securely.
• Remember your cookie preferences.
• Improve website performance and user experience.
• Analyse how visitors use the website.
• Enable embedded services such as videos, maps, and appointment booking tools.
• Help detect and prevent fraudulent or malicious activity.

Some cookies are essential for the operation of the website and do not require consent. Non-essential cookies, including analytics, functionality, and marketing cookies, will only be used where you have provided your consent.

These cookies are essential for the operation, security, and basic functionality of the website. They cannot be switched off through our cookie consent tool because the website may not function properly without them.These cookies may be used to:

• Maintain website security.
• Enable navigation between pages.
• Remember cookie consent preferences.
• Support contact forms and website functionality.
• Detect malicious activity and prevent abuse.

Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website so that we can improve its performance and content.Information collected may include:

• Pages visited.
• Time spent on the website.
• Device type.
• Browser type.
• General geographic location.
• Traffic sources and referral information.

The information collected is generally aggregated and anonymised where possible and is not intended to identify individual visitors.Analytics cookies will only be activated where you have provided consent.Provider: Google Analytics (if enabled) Legal Basis: Consent

Functional cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features.Examples include:

• Remembering cookie preferences.
• Accessibility settings.
• Website display preferences.
• User experience improvements.

Functional cookies will only be used where consent has been provided.Legal Basis: Consent

Some areas of our website may contain content or services provided by third parties. These providers may place cookies on your device when you interact with their content.

Embedded YouTube videos may use cookies to:

• Measure video performance.
• Remember user preferences.
• Monitor engagement with embedded content.

Provider: YouTube / Google

Embedded maps may use cookies to:

• Display interactive maps.
• Improve map functionality.
• Collect usage information.

Provider: Google

Links, embedded content, or social media integrations may allow Meta Platforms to place cookies that:

• Measure engagement.
• Support social media functionality.
• Provide analytics and advertising services.

Provider: Meta PlatformsThese cookies will only be activated where you have provided consent.Legal Basis: Consent

This website may be hosted by a third-party website provider or hosting platform. Hosting providers may use cookies that:

• Support website functionality.
• Maintain website security.
• Monitor website performance.
• Store visitor preferences.
• Assist with website administration.

Further information about any hosting provider's use of cookies can be found in their own privacy and cookie policies.

When you submit an enquiry through our website, information may be processed through our website platform, hosting provider, and email services.Cookies associated with contact forms may be used to:

• Prevent spam and automated submissions.
• Support secure form functionality.
• Improve website performance and user experience.

Any personal information submitted through a contact form is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies.
• Reject non-essential cookies.
• Customise your cookie preferences.

Your preferences can be changed at any time by accessing the cookie settings option available on the website.Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings.You can usually:

• View stored cookies.
• Delete existing cookies.
• Block certain types of cookies.
• Receive notifications when cookies are placed on your device.

Please note that disabling or blocking some cookies may affect the functionality, performance, and user experience of the website.For further information, please consult your browser provider's help documentation.

Some third-party providers used by this website may process information outside the United Kingdom.Where personal data is transferred internationally, appropriate safeguards will be implemented in accordance with UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR where applicable.Such safeguards may include:

• UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs).
• UK Addendums to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
• Transfers to countries recognised as providing an adequate level of protection.

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in legislation or regulatory guidance.
• Changes to website functionality.
• Changes to third-party services used on the website.

The latest version will always be available on this page and will supersede any previous versions.

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how cookies are used on this website, please contact:Sarah McKimm Sarah McKimm Counselling ServiceEmail: Info@sarahmckimmcounselling.co.ukWebsite: www.sarahmckimmcounselling.co.uk

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyse website usage, and support embedded third-party services.You may choose to accept, reject, or customise your cookie preferences. Rejecting non-essential cookies will not affect access to the website's core functionality, although certain features may not operate as intended.