Last updated: 02/10/2025
Inner Angle is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and NCPS (National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society) data protection requirements.
Who I Am
Data Controller: Ioannis Athanasiadis Inner Angle Email: info@innerangle.co.uk Phone: +447356282265
As a sole practitioner providing counselling and driving therapy services, I am the data controller responsible for your personal information.
What Information I Collect
When you contact me or become a client, I may collect the following personal information:
Contact and Identity Information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Home address
- Emergency contact name and phone number
Health and Therapy Information:
- Information about your mental health, wellbeing, and reasons for seeking therapy
- Session notes and records of our therapeutic work
- Information about your relationships, family dynamics, and personal circumstances
- Any relevant medical or psychological history
- GP name and contact information
Driving-Specific Information (for Driving Therapy clients):
- Driving licence check code
- Driving history and experience
- Information about driving-related anxiety, trauma, or challenges
Why I Collect This Information (Legal Basis)
I collect and process your personal data under the following legal bases:
1. Consent: You provide explicit consent for me to process sensitive personal data (health information) for the purpose of providing therapy services.
2. Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for my legitimate interests in:
- Providing professional counselling and therapy services
- Maintaining accurate records for clinical purposes
- Ensuring your safety and wellbeing
- Meeting my professional and ethical obligations
3. Legal Obligation: I am required to keep records to comply with professional body requirements (NCPS) and potential legal requirements.
How I Use Your Information
Your personal information is used solely for the following purposes:
- Providing therapy services: To deliver counselling and driving therapy sessions
- Communication: To arrange appointments, send reminders, and respond to queries
- Clinical records: To maintain accurate notes for continuity of care
- Safety: Emergency contact information is held in case of urgent situations
- Professional supervision: Anonymised or carefully managed information may be discussed with my clinical supervisor (see “Who I Share Information With” below)
- Legal requirements: To comply with professional standards and legal obligations
How I Store and Protect Your Information
I take data security seriously and implement appropriate measures to protect your personal information:
Storage Methods:
- Paper records: Kept in locked, secure filing systems
- Digital records: Stored on encrypted SSD drives that are password protected
- All storage is in accordance with NCPS data protection standards
Security Measures:
- Password-protected devices and files
- Encrypted storage
- Secure, confidential environment for sessions and record-keeping
- Regular reviews of security practices
Data Retention: Your records are retained for 7 years following our last contact, in accordance with professional therapy standards and legal requirements. After this period, records are securely destroyed.
Who I Share Information With
Your information is treated as strictly confidential. However, there are limited circumstances where information may be shared:
1. Clinical Supervision: As required by professional standards, I receive regular clinical supervision. Information shared with my supervisor is handled confidentially and is used solely to ensure the quality and safety of my therapeutic work.
2. With Your Explicit Consent:
- Your GP (if you request or consent to communication)
- Your driving instructor (in the collaborative model for learner drivers, with your explicit consent)
- Other healthcare professionals involved in your care (only with your written consent)
3. Legal Obligations: In rare circumstances, I may be required to share information without consent if:
- There is serious risk of harm to yourself or others
- There is disclosure of terrorism or serious crime
- A court order requires disclosure
- There are safeguarding concerns regarding children or vulnerable adults
You will be informed if this situation arises, except where doing so would increase risk of harm.
Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information I hold about you.
Right to Rectification: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): You can request deletion of your data in certain circumstances, though I may need to retain records for legal or professional obligations.
Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that I limit how I use your data in certain circumstances.
Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a portable format.
Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests.
Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for processing at any time, though this may affect my ability to continue providing services.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact me using the details at the top of this policy.
Cookies and Website Data
This website uses minimal cookies necessary for functionality. The contact form collects only the information you provide (name, email, phone, message) and this is sent directly to me via email. No information is stored on the website itself.
I do not use tracking cookies or analytics that collect personal data without consent.
Third-Party Services
Website Hosting: This website is hosted by UKBox (UK-based hosting provider). They have their own privacy policies and security measures in place.
Contact Forms: Contact form submissions are processed through Contact Form 7 and sent directly to my email.
Video Platforms (for online sessions): If we conduct online sessions, I will discuss the secure platform used and its privacy measures with you before our first session.
International Data Transfers
Your data is stored and processed within the United Kingdom. I do not transfer personal data outside the UK/EEA.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in my practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal data is being handled, you have the right to complain to:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Website: https://ico.org.uk Telephone: 0303 123 1113
However, I encourage you to contact me first so I can address your concerns directly.
Contact Me About Your Data
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact me:
Email: info@innerangle.co.uk Phone: +447356282265
Your privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to the therapeutic relationship. I am committed to handling your information with the highest standards of care and professionalism.