Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This policy details how your personal data is collected, securely stored, and managed in strict accordance with UK data privacy laws and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

Data Collection & Usage Details & Procedures
Data Controller The counsellors and psychotherapists at Youmeus act as the designated Data Controllers. You can contact the team directly via email at enquiries.youmeus@gmail.com.
Lawful Basis for Processing Data is processed under several lawful grounds under UK GDPR:

  • Contractual Obligation: To communicate with you and fulfil the explicit terms of your counselling or psychotherapy sessions.
  • Legitimate Interests: For the safe, professional administration of the therapeutic practice.
  • Special Category Data (Health): Processing of clinical session information is conducted to provide safe healthcare and psychotherapeutic services.
  • Legal Obligation: To satisfy standard professional insurance parameters.
Information Gathered & Purpose We collect specific, necessary details to ensure safe and ethical practice:

  • Contact Details: Your name, home address, and contact details to coordinate your appointments.
  • Emergency & Personal Context: Significant personal information that might be relevant to your care, such as your GP contact details.
  • Clinical Notes: Secure session notes to guide your ongoing therapeutic process.
Data Security & Storage Your privacy is strictly protected across all storage formats:

  • Digital Clinical Records: Our records, including session notes, are stored digitally on the Kiku platform. This system is fully password protected and accessible only by the specific counsellor you are seeing.
  • Communication Devices: Your primary contact details may also be kept securely on our laptops and phones to manage session coordination.
Limits of Confidentiality Any information we hold will remain strictly confidential. It will only be shared with a third party under the following exceptional circumstances:

  • If we believe that there is an imminent risk of harm to somebody under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult.
  • If you disclose that you are about to commit an act of terrorism, money laundering, or drug trafficking.
  • If we believe that you are personally at risk, we may share information with your GP, but we would always discuss this with you first.
Retention & Disposal Our clinical records and session notes are retained securely for exactly 5 years following the conclusion of your therapy, in line with our professional insurance policies. After this timeframe, they are permanently destroyed. Secondary contact details stored on laptops and phones are completely deleted as soon as your sessions have finished.

Cookie Policy

This website uses analytical cookies to monitor platform performance, understand user interactions, and enhance your overall online experience.

Cookie Type Provider Purpose & Expiry
Google Analytics Google LLC An anonymous tracking cookie used to monitor website traffic patterns, visitor counts, and page performance. No personal or identifying user details are captured. Expiries vary from session to 2 years.
Mouseflow Analytics Mouseflow ApS An analytical cookie used to study visitor behaviour patterns, such as clicks, mouse movements, and scrolling activity. This completely anonymised data helps us improve website usability. Expiries vary from session to 1 year.

You can manage, block, or delete cookies at any time by accessing the privacy and security settings inside your web browser.

Your Statutory Rights Under GDPR

You hold clear legal rights regarding how your data is handled:

  • Right to Access: You can request a complete copy of the data held about you at any time, which will be provided within one month.
  • Right to Rectification: You can request the immediate correction of any inaccurate or incomplete records.
  • Right to Data Portability: You have the right to request your personal information be securely transferred to another party.
  • Right to Erasure: You can request your personal information be deleted (this can be declined if keeping the records is legally or professionally required for insurance compliance).

Complaints Procedure

We aim to offer a deeply supportive, professional, and transparent service. However, if you have any concerns regarding how your personal information is handled, or wish to file a formal complaint, please follow the steps outlined below:

Stage Contact Details & Next Steps
1. Direct Resolution In the first instance, please raise your concerns directly with us via email at enquiries.youmeus@gmail.com. We will acknowledge your email within 48 hours and set out exactly how we plan to investigate and resolve your complaint.
2. Data Privacy Escalation If you are still unhappy after we have attempted to resolve the problem, you have a statutory legal right to log an official complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You can contact them via their official website at www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.

Declaration and Consent

If you agree to us collecting, storing, and using your personal data in the professional ways described above, please digitally sign this privacy statement document.