1. Who I Am 

I am a registered and qualified counsellor providing private online counselling services to adults across the UK. 

If you have any questions about this privacy notice or how your data is handled, please contact me at: 

Sharlene O’Brien 

Nocturna Counselling 

Email: info@nocturnacounselling.co.uk 

Phone: 07572796945 

2. What Information I Collect and Why 

I collect and store the following types of personal data: 

A. Personal Identification Data 

• Name 
• Age and Date of birth 
• Contact details (email, address and phone number) 
• Emergency contact information (this will be deleted after our sessions end) 
• GP details 

B. Sensitive (Special Category) Data 

• Mental health history 
• Medical information relevant to therapy 
• Session notes 
• Information you disclose during sessions 

C. Administrative Data 

• Payment information (where applicable) 
• Appointment records 

Why I collect this information: 

• To provide a safe, ethical, and effective counselling service 
• To contact you regarding appointments 
• For safeguarding purposes 
• To comply with legal or professional obligations (e.g. clinical supervision, insurance, tax)

3. Lawful Basis for Processing 

I collect and use your data under the following lawful bases: 

• Contract: To deliver the counselling service you have requested 
• Consent: For processing sensitive (special category) data 
• Legal obligation: For record keeping, safeguarding, or tax compliance 
• Vital interests: In rare cases, to protect your life or someone else’s 
• Legitimate interest: For the effective running of my practice, while respecting your rights

4. How Your Information Is Stored 

Your data is securely stored in encrypted digital format on a password-protected system. Any written notes are stored securely in a locked location. I retain your information for 5 years after the end of therapy, in line with professional and insurance requirements.

5. Sharing Your Data 

Your data is kept confidential. I will never sell or share your data for marketing purposes. 

I may share information: 

• With my clinical supervisor (anonymously) to ensure best practice 
• If required by law or a court order 
• If there is a risk of serious harm to you or others (e.g. safeguarding concerns) 
• With emergency services in the case of an emergency 

In all cases, I will aim to discuss this with you first unless doing so would increase risk. 

6. Your Rights 

You have the right to: 

• Access the personal data I hold about you 
• Request correction of inaccurate data 
• Request erasure of your data (in some circumstances) 
• Object to or restrict processing of your data 
• Withdraw your consent at any time (for data processed under consent) 
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) 

ICO Contact Details: 

Website: www.ico.org.uk 

Helpline: 0303 123 1113 

7. Complaints 

If you have concerns about your data: 

1. Contact me directly to discuss it 

2. If unresolved, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): 

https://ico.org.uk 

8. Changes to This Privacy Notice 

This notice may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be provided to you and available on request. 

This policy is dated October 2025