Privacy Policy
Who I Am
I am Barbara Farinelli, practising as Barbara Farinelli Counselling. I provide integrative counselling services in English and Italian, based in the UK and, where appropriate, in Italy. I am a BACP-registered counsellor, committed to protecting your personal data in line with the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and, where applicable, EU GDPR and Italian privacy legislation.
What Information I Collect
When you engage in counselling with me, I may collect:
Your contact details (name, phone number, email, postal address if relevant)
Emergency contact information
GP or healthcare provider details (when necessary)
Minimal, anonymised session notes to support therapy
Payment and invoicing records
For children and young people under 18, I require consent from a parent or legal guardian, and their data is treated with the same level of confidentiality.
Why I Collect This Information
Your personal information is used to:
Arrange and provide counselling sessions
Contact you regarding sessions or emergencies
Maintain appropriate therapeutic records
Comply with legal, professional, and insurance obligations
Manage administrative and financial tasks
How Your Data Is Stored
Paper records are stored securely in a locked cabinet
Digital records are on password-protected devices
Only I have access to your personal data
In the event of my death or incapacity, a nominated professional (via clinical will) will manage or securely destroy records
Sharing of Information
Your personal data remains confidential. Information may only be shared if:
You provide explicit written consent
There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others
Required by law (e.g., safeguarding, money laundering, terrorism)
Discussed in clinical supervision (anonymised)
Data Retention
Adult therapy records are retained 7 years after counselling ends
Children and young people’s records are retained until age 18 plus 7 years
Financial records may be retained longer for legal obligations
Records are securely destroyed or deleted after retention periods
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access personal data held about you
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Request deletion of data (where legally possible)
Restrict or object to data processing
Withdraw consent at any time (where applicable)
Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority
Supervisory Authority Contacts
UK – ICO: 0303 123 1113 | www.ico.org.uk
Italy / EU: Contact your local data protection authority
Website and Online Communication
Contacting me via my website, email, or online forms only shares the personal information you provide. Cookies may be used for basic website functionality; these can be managed in your browser.
All online and telephone sessions are conducted via secure, encrypted platforms to ensure confidentiality.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please get in touch:
Barbara Farinelli Counselling
Email: barbarafarinellicounselling@gmail.com
Phone: +44 7990 751 359