Privacy Policy
Montserrat (Mons) · Last updated: 12 November 2026
1. About this Privacy Policy
Your privacy and confidentiality are important to me. This policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit this website, contact Relating Differently or access counselling services.
I am Montserrat (Mons), the counsellor behind Relating Differently and the data controller for the practice. For privacy questions, email [email protected].
2. Information I collect
For enquiries: your name, email address, enquiry type and any message you choose to provide.
For counselling clients: contact details, relevant background and wellbeing information, counselling agreements, brief session notes, appointment and payment records, and information needed for safeguarding or professional obligations. I aim to collect only information needed for these purposes.
3. How I use information
To answer enquiries, arrange consultations and appointments, deliver counselling, keep appropriate records, administer payments, meet legal and safeguarding duties, and respond to concerns or claims.
I do not sell personal information or use counselling records for marketing.
4. Lawful basis and sensitive information
I use personal information to respond to enquiries and provide counselling where necessary to take steps before entering into a contract or to fulfil a counselling agreement (Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR). Depending on the purpose, I may also process information to meet legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c)) or for legitimate interests such as appropriate record-keeping and handling complaints (Article 6(1)(f)).
Counselling may involve special category personal information, including information about mental health. This requires a separate condition under Article 9 UK GDPR as well as an Article 6 lawful basis. You can contact me using the email address above for further information about how sensitive information is handled.
5. Confidentiality
What you share during counselling is treated confidentially, subject to legal, ethical and safeguarding limits. Information may need to be shared in circumstances such as serious risk of harm, safeguarding concerns, legal obligations or legal claims.
I attend professional supervision. Client work may be discussed with identifying details removed wherever possible. Confidentiality and its limits are explained in the counselling agreement.
6. Storage and security
Client records are stored digitally using access-controlled Google Drive. Counselling notes use client reference numbers rather than names, and identifying information is kept separately.
I use account access controls and keep identifying details separate from session notes. No method of digital storage or transmission can be guaranteed completely secure.
7. Enquiries and service providers
My website is hosted using Cloudflare Pages. I use Tally to collect enquiries, Gmail for correspondence and Google Drive for client records. These providers process relevant information to deliver their services.
When you submit the Tally form, the information you enter is sent through Tally so that I can respond to your enquiry. Please avoid including detailed medical or other sensitive information in an initial enquiry.
The services I use may process information outside the UK. Where UK data protection rules apply to an international transfer, the relevant legal transfer requirements and safeguards must be followed.
8. Retention
Adult counselling records: normally seven years after the final session, subject to legal, insurance or safeguarding needs.
Enquiries that do not lead to counselling: normally three months after the last contact.
Financial records: retained for applicable tax and accounting obligations. Complaints or legal matters may require longer retention. Records are securely deleted or anonymised when no longer needed.
9. Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may request access, correction, erasure, restriction, objection or portability of your personal information. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw that consent. These rights have legal exceptions.
To exercise your rights, email [email protected]. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.
10. Cookies and technical information
Cloudflare and the embedded Tally enquiry form may process technical information, such as IP addresses and browser details, to deliver and protect their services. These providers may use cookies or similar technologies. Non-essential cookies, where used, require appropriate information and consent under applicable law.
I do not use advertising or behavioural tracking on this website.
11. Updates
This policy may change to reflect changes in services, technology or legal requirements. The current version will be published on this website.