When you use AgeWise Counselling, you trust us with your information. This Privacy Policy is meant to help you understand what information we collect, why we collect it and what we do with it.

Privacy Policy

(Last modified 14/11/2025)

AgeWise Counselling Privacy Policy

I, Marrisa Shaw, from AgeWise Counselling, am committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For the purpose of the Data Protection Act 1998 (The Act), I, Marrisa Shaw,  am the data controller. “We” refers to AgeWise Counselling as a whole.

This document sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.

This is important; we hope you will take time to read it carefully.

Personal information we will collect from you includes your name, address, date of birth, email and phone numbers. We will also ask for your GP name and address and whether you are self-paying or funded by insurance. Your personal information will be labelled using your initials only.

In order for your counsellor to contact you via text, they may store your name in their phone (first name only or initials). This information is only accessible by the counsellor and requires face ID. Your number will be deleted by the counsellor when you have been discharged from the service.

Handwritten or electronic notes are recorded during each session. These help your counsellor to think about and plan your sessions in-between appointments. Handwritten notes are placed in a file, and then in a locked cabinet within a locked office. Electronic notes are kept in a password protected Document within a password protected computer. Any reports that are written are shared only with the people involved in your care whom you give permission for us to share with, e.g. GP or psychiatrist. Electronic notes and reports are stored on my computer hard drive and are backed up regularly to a secure cloud server. They are only accessible by me. 

If we collect your personal information and you decide not to continue with us prior to your first appointment, we will delete all of your data. However, if you have had at least one appointment with us, all data has to be kept for 7 years. This is so that we have a record of your work with your counsellor should it be needed again in the future e.g., if you return for further sessions. When 7 years have lapsed, all data will be deleted and paper notes shredded.

How we will use your Information

We will use the information I hold about you to think about your care and liaise with other professionals with whom are relevant to your care needs.

Disclosure of your Information

Your information is kept confidential. However, there are some circumstances when I have a duty to share your personal data. These are:

  • When there are significant concerns for your safety or that of another person.

  • If I am asked to disclose your personal data in order to comply with any legal obligation.

As part of my professional guidelines, I undertake regular (monthly) supervision of my cases. I will therefore share some of your information with my supervisor in order that you receive high quality care. I use first names only and do not share identifying details with my supervisor.

Your rights

Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA), as of the 19th of June 2025, you have the following rights with regards to your personal data:

  • The right to be informed – i.e. to know what happens to your information.

  • The right to access your personal data and any other supplementary information. I must provide this within one month of your request and a fee of £20.

  • The right of rectification – i.e. the right to have inaccurate personal data rectified.

  • The right to erasure – i.e. the right ‘to be forgotten’.

  • The right to request the restriction of your personal data.

  • The right to data portability – i.e. to obtain and reuse personal data in a different service.

  • The right to object to the processing of your personal data.

  • The rights to automated decision making and profiling.

If at any point you wish to act on any of these rights, please contact the data controller, Marrisa Shaw.