Privacy policy
Last updated: July 2026
Aideen Smith (“I”/“we”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and confidentiality. This policy explains what information I collect, why, how it’s used, and your rights under UK data protection law (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).
Data controller
Aideen Smith, Self Healing
aideen@self-healing.co.uk · 07957 211552 · 18 Lochleven Road, Crewe, Cheshire
Information I collect
- Contact details you provide via the website, email, phone, or WhatsApp, such as your name, email address, phone number, and the content of your message.
- Health and personal information you choose to share when enquiring about or attending counselling or Reiki. This is “special category” data and is treated with particular care.
- Brief, secure session notes, where counselling or Reiki proceeds.
- This website does not use tracking cookies or analytics.
Why I use your information
- To respond to your enquiry and arrange an initial conversation or appointment.
- To provide counselling or Reiki and keep appropriate, confidential records.
- To meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
Lawful bases relied on include your consent, the performance of our agreement for sessions, and my legitimate interests in running the practice. For health (special-category) information, I rely on your explicit consent.
Confidentiality and when information may be shared
Your information is kept confidential and is not sold or shared for marketing. It may be shared only in limited circumstances:
- With my clinical supervisor, as required by professional practice, discussed in a way that protects your identity wherever possible.
- Where there is a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s, or a legal requirement to disclose.
- With service providers who help run the practice (such as secure email or website hosting), under appropriate agreements.
Where possible, I will discuss any disclosure with you first. The limits of confidentiality will be explained to you at the outset of any sessions.
How long I keep your information
Enquiry messages that don’t lead to sessions are kept for up to 12 months and then deleted. Where counselling or Reiki takes place, records are retained for a period in line with my professional body’s guidance and insurance requirements, then securely destroyed.
How your information is protected
Information is stored securely, with access restricted to me and appropriate technical measures in place to protect it.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to access the personal information I hold about you, have inaccurate information corrected, request erasure in certain circumstances, restrict or object to certain processing, and withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these, contact me at aideen@self-healing.co.uk.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk, though I’d welcome the chance to resolve any concern first.
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The current version is always available on this website, with the date it was last updated shown above.
Contact
If you have any questions about this policy or how your information is handled, please contact me at aideen@self-healing.co.uk or 07957 211552.