Privacy Notice
Ryman Relationship Counselling
Last updated: June 2026
Your Privacy
Your privacy is important to me. When you contact me or choose to work with me, you are trusting me with personal information.
This Privacy Notice explains what information I collect, why I collect it, how I use it, how I keep it secure, and your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who I Am
Debbie Ryman is the Data Controller for Ryman Relationship Counselling.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your personal information is handled, please contact:
Email: debbie@rymanrelationshipcounselling.co.uk
What Information I Collect
Depending on the nature of our work together, I may collect:
Name
Postal address
Email address
Telephone number
Date of birth
Emergency contact details
Relevant health or medical information that you choose to share
Information relating to your counselling sessions
Session notes
Correspondence between us
Payment information
If you contact me through my website, I will also collect the information you choose to provide through my contact form.
Why I Collect Your Information
I collect and use your information in order to:
Respond to your enquiry
Arrange and provide counselling sessions
Maintain appropriate clinical records
Meet legal, ethical and insurance requirements
Process payments
Manage and improve my counselling service
My Lawful Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, I process your personal information because it is necessary:
To take steps at your request before entering into a counselling agreement.
To fulfil our counselling contract once we begin working together.
For my legitimate interests in running a safe and professional counselling practice.
Where I process special category data (such as information relating to your physical or mental health), I do so in accordance with Article 9 of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Confidentiality and Sharing Information
Everything discussed within counselling is treated confidentially.
Your information will only be shared where:
You have given your permission.
I am legally required to do so.
There is a serious concern about your safety or the safety of another person.
Disclosure is necessary to prevent or detect serious crime.
Where I use trusted service providers to support my practice (for example, Zoom for online meetings, Microsoft 365 for email, or payment providers), they only process your personal information on my behalf and are required to handle it securely and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
How Your Information Is Stored
I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to keep your information secure.
Records may be stored electronically or in paper form and are protected against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.
Access to your information is restricted to me unless disclosure is required for one of the reasons outlined above.
How Long I Keep Your Information
Counselling records are normally retained for seven years after the end of our work together, in line with professional guidance and insurance requirements.
After this period they are securely destroyed.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
Request access to your personal information.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request erasure of your information where appropriate.
Request restriction of processing.
Object to processing in certain circumstances.
Request a copy of the information you have provided where applicable.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Some of these rights may be limited where I have a legal or professional obligation to retain records.
Website Cookies
My website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience and help the website function effectively.
Further information is available in my Cookie Policy.
Making a Complaint
If you have any concerns about how I handle your personal information, I hope you will contact me first so that I can try to resolve your concerns.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Changes to This Privacy Notice
This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time.
The latest version will always be available on my website.