top of page
Image by Dan Nelson

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 28 March 2026

​

This Privacy Policy explains how I, Paul Madden, operating as Private Counselling Online, collect, use and protect your personal information when you visit this website, contact me or engage in counselling services.

 

I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information responsibly in accordance with:

  • UK GDPR

  • The Data Protection Act 2018

  • The BACP Ethical Framework

Who I Am

Paul Madden
BACP-Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist
Private Counselling Online

 

Website platform: Wix
Practice management system: WriteUpp

Information I May Collect

Depending on how you engage with the service, I may collect:

  • your name, email address and phone number

  • appointment and booking information

  • information you choose to share during counselling

  • brief factual therapy notes

  • website usage information such as browser type, IP address and cookies

How Your Information Is Collected

Information may be collected when:

  • you complete a contact form

  • you email or contact me directly

  • you book appointments

  • you complete intake forms

  • you attend counselling sessions

  • you browse the website

 

Some website data is collected automatically through Wix cookies and analytics tools.

Why Your Information Is Collected

Your information is used to:

  • respond to enquiries

  • arrange appointments

  • provide counselling services safely and professionally

  • maintain appropriate clinical records

  • meet ethical, legal and administrative obligations

  • improve website functionality and user experience

 

Your information is never sold or used for marketing by third parties.

Use of WriteUpp

I use WriteUpp, a secure GDPR-compliant practice management system designed for healthcare professionals, to manage:

  • appointments

  • client records

  • clinical notes

  • secure documentation

 

Further information about WriteUpp’s privacy practices can be found on their website.

Storage of Personal Information

Personal information is stored securely using password-protected and encrypted systems wherever possible.

​

Brief factual session notes are retained for up to one year after counselling ends and are then securely deleted.

 

Any paper records, where used, are securely stored and confidentially destroyed.

Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Information shared during counselling is treated confidentially and will not normally be shared without your consent.

 

Exceptions may include:

  • serious risk of harm to yourself or others

  • safeguarding concerns

  • situations where disclosure is required by law

  • professional clinical supervision

 

Wherever possible, confidentiality concerns would be discussed openly with you first.

 

Further information can be found on the Confidentiality page.

Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

  • request access to your personal information

  • request corrections to inaccurate information

  • request deletion of data where appropriate

  • withdraw consent where applicable

  • lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Cookies & Website Analytics

This website is hosted by Wix, which may use cookies and analytics tools to collect basic website usage information, including:

  • pages visited

  • time spent on the website

  • browser and device type

 

This information helps improve website performance and user experience.

 

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

 

Further information can be found in Wix’s own privacy documentation.

Communication

If you provide contact details, I may use them to respond to enquiries or manage appointments.

​

Communication may take place by:

  • email

  • telephone

  • SMS

  • WhatsApp where appropriate

 

Communication will only relate to counselling enquiries, appointments or ongoing therapeutic work.

External Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites or organisations.

​

I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, you can contact:

 

Paul Madden
Private Counselling Online

📧 paul@PrivateCounsellingOnline.com

Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may occasionally be updated.

​

Any updates will appear on this page with a revised effective date.

bottom of page