Parkside Therapy

Privacy Policy

Parkside Therapy Last updated: 14 August 2026

This privacy policy explains how Parkside Therapy ("I", "me", "my") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit parksidetherapy.co.uk or get in touch about therapy sessions.

I am the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

Contact details: Collum Smith

Email: collum.smith@gmail.com

Phone: +44 (0)7824 514378

What information is collected

Depending on how you interact with the site, I may collect:

Contact details you provide via the contact form, email, or phone — such as your name, email address, and phone number
Information you share about why you're getting in touch, including anything you mention about what you'd like help with, either in the contact form or during a free consultation call
Client and clinical information, if you go on to book sessions — including notes relevant to your therapy, which may include details about your mental or physical health. This is "special category data" under UK GDPR and is treated with extra care (see below)
Technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, and how you use the site, collected automatically via [Squarespace's built-in analytics / insert any analytics tool used, e.g. Google Analytics] and cookies (see Cookies section)

Why it’s collected , and the legal basis

I respond to enquiries made via the contact form, email, or phone on the basis of legitimate interest and as a step prior to entering into a contract with you. Arranging and delivering therapy sessions is done on the basis of contract necessity. Keeping clinical notes relevant to your therapy relies on your explicit consent, as required for health data. Understanding how visitors use the site, in order to improve it, is done on the basis of legitimate interest. Sending you information you've asked for, such as confirming a consultation, is done on the basis of contract necessity or legitimate interest.

Where I rely on your consent — such as for holding clinical notes — you can withdraw that consent at any time by contacting me directly.

How I use special category (health) data

If you become a client, I keep clinical notes relevant to your sessions in line with my professional obligations as a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). These bodies require strict standards of confidentiality and data protection.

Your clinical information is:

Used only to support your therapy and for professional record-keeping
Kept confidential, with exceptions only where there is a legal obligation to disclose it, or a significant risk of harm to you or someone else — in which case this would be discussed with you wherever possible
Not shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law or professional obligation

Who I share your information with

I don't sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. I may share limited information with:

Service providers who help run the website or booking process (e.g. Squarespace as the website host)
Professional bodies or regulators (NCH, CNHC), where required as part of my professional obligations or in the event of a complaint
Legal or safeguarding authorities, only where required by law or where there is a significant risk of harm

How long I keep your information

Enquiry details (from people who contact me but don't become clients) are kept for [1 month] and then deleted
Client clinical records are kept for 7 years after the end of therapy, or longer for certain cases, in line with NCH/CNHC professional guidance and my insurance requirements
You can ask me to explain the retention period for your specific records at any time

Cookies

This website is built on Squarespace, which may use cookies for site functionality and analytics.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect how the site functions.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Ask what personal information I hold about you and request a copy
Ask me to correct inaccurate information
Ask me to delete your information, where applicable (note: I may need to retain clinical records for a period even after a deletion request, in line with professional and legal obligations)
Withdraw consent at any time, where I rely on consent
Object to or restrict certain processing
Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data hasn't been handled properly — see ico.org.uk

To exercise any of these rights, contact me at collum.smith@gmail.com. I'll acknowledge your request within 30 days.

Keeping your information secure

I take reasonable steps to protect your personal information, including secure storage of clinical notes and password-protected devices..

Children

Parkside Therapy's services and website are intended for adults. If you're a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided personal information, please contact me and I'll remove it.

Changes to this policy

I may update this privacy policy from time to time, for example to reflect changes in the law or how the site works. The "last updated" date at the top will reflect the most recent version.