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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for users of the website

This privacy policy will explain how Joanne Barker Counselling & Psychotherapy uses the personal data we collect from you when you use our website.

 

Joanne Barker is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

 

This policy may be updated from time to time. Please monitor this page for any changes to ensure you are happy. This policy is effective from 25 August 2025.

 

What data do we collect on our website?

You can use our website without being required to provide any personal data to us. We only collect personal data about you on the website which you volunteer when you email us or by using our online forms, in order to deliver a service to you.  We collect the following data through our online enquiry form:

•    Personal identification information: name, email address, any information you voluntarily provide in your message on the online enquiry form.

 

How do we collect your data?

You directly provide us with most of the data we collect. We collect data and process data when you:

•    Complete and submit the online enquiry form on our contact us web page.

•    Email us directly at info@joannebarkercounselling.com

•    Use or view our website via your browser’s cookies.

 

How will we use your data?

Joanne Barker Counselling & Psychotherapy collects your data so that we can:

  • Communicate with you to respond to your enquiry.

  • To provide client support

  • To schedule appointments requested by our clients and to contact our clients in relation to scheduling appointments.

  • To improve our services or website.

 

How do we store your data?

We store your data securely and responsibly in accordance with GDPR regulations. In order to prevent unauthorised access, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic and administrative procedures to protect the information we collect online. We will keep your personal data until we have responded to your enquiry. If you do not become a client, your personal data (name, email address and message) will be deleted.

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What are your data protection rights?

We would like to make sure that you are aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user of our website is entitled to the following:

  • The right to access: You have the right to request Joanne Barker Counselling & Psychotherapy for copies of your personal data. 

  • The right to rectification: You have the right to request that we amend any information that you believe to be inaccurate. You also have the right to request that we complete any information that you believe is incomplete.

  • The right to erasure: You have the right to request that we erase your personal data under certain conditions.

  • The right to data portability: You have the right to request that we transfer the data we have collected to another organisation, or directly to you, under certain conditions. If you make a request, we have 30 days to respond to you. If you wish to make a request, please contact us in writing by sending an email to:  info@joannebarkercounselling.com

 

What are cookies?

Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behaviour information. When you visit our websites, we may collect information from you automatically through cookies or similar technology For further information, visit www.allaboutcookies.org

 

How do we use cookies?

Our Company uses cookies in a range of ways to improve your experience on our website, including understanding how you use our website.

 

What types of cookies do we use?

There are a number of different types of cookies, however, our website uses:

•    Functionality – Our Company uses these cookies so that we recognise you on our website and remember your previously selected preferences. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. A mix of first-party and third-party cookies are used.

•    Advertising – Our Company uses these cookies to collect information about your visit to our website, the content you viewed, the links you followed and information about your browser, device, and your IP address. Our Company sometimes shares some limited aspects of this data with third parties for advertising purposes. We may also share online data collected through cookies with our advertising partners. This means that when you visit another website, you may be shown advertising based on your browsing patterns on our website.

 

How to manage cookies

You can set your browser not to accept cookies, and the above website tells you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases, some of our website features may not function as a result.

 

Service Providers

We may employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our Service (“Service Providers”), to provide the Service on our behalf, to perform Service-related services or to assist us in analysing how our Service is used. These third parties have access to your Personal Data only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

 

Analytics

We may use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyse the use of our Service.

 

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualise and personalise the ads of its own advertising network.

You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/

 

Privacy policies of other websites

The Joanne Barker Counselling & Psychotherapy website contains links to other websites. Our privacy policy applies only to our website, so if you click on a link to another website, you should read their privacy policy.

 

Changes to our privacy policy

Our Company keeps its privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this web page. This privacy policy was last updated on 25 August 2025.

 

How to contact us

If you have any questions about our privacy policy, the data we hold on you, or you would like to exercise one of your data protection rights, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email us at: info@joannebarkercounselling.com

 

How to contact the appropriate authority

Should you wish to report a complaint or if you feel that we have not addressed your concern in a satisfactory manner, you may contact the Data Protection Commission (DPC) https://www.dataprotection.ie

Privacy Policy for Counselling & Psychotherapy

What data is collected and for what purpose?

In order to provide you with counselling and psychotherapy services, I need to request and retain some personal information about you. This information is obtained during our first session, by completing a client intake form with you. This form captures personal data including your name, address, email address and phone number. I hold this information in order to contact you, should I need to reschedule an appointment. The form also captures details of your emergency contact person. The emergency contact person would only be contacted in the event of a real emergency, for example if there was an immediate concern for your life. This would be done collaboratively with you, where possible.

 

I also keep brief notes on each session to track progress. Session notes are non-identifiable and are kept separately from client intake forms to protect your privacy. As well as your name, contact details, next of kin, sensitive information will naturally be shared with me during the course of our sessions. Your personal information is treated as highly confidential and retained by me solely for the purpose of providing you with the best possible care and service. In accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) effective 25 May 2018, I will request your confirmation of consent for this during our first session.

 

How will my data be stored?

I am committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Client personal data is stored securely and responsibly in my home, in accordance with GDPR regulations. Some limited information may be stored on my computer, for example; where an initial contact request is made by email, an email with directions is sent to you before your first session, or relevant information is emailed to you during the course of our work together. I will keep your personal data for ten years after the date of our last session, for insurance purposes. Once this time period has expired, I will delete your data by destroying it in a secure and confidential manner. 

 

Confidentiality and Limitations

Confidentiality of client information is an ethical requirement for my profession in accordance with the Irish Association for Counsellors & Psychotherapists (IACP) code of ethics. While information disclosed during therapy is confidential, there are exceptional circumstances where I am legally obliged to break confidentiality:

•    Where I have reason to believe your life and safety or that of another person is threatened.

•    Where a child or young person is in danger of being harmed or is reported to have been harmed.

•    Where there is a disclosure of criminal intent.

•    Any other circumstances where I am legally required to disclose information.

 

Supervision

In accordance with the IACP code of ethics, I engage in regular on-going clinical supervision. This is to ensure I am providing an ethical and professional service to clients. I may discuss our work together with my supervisor, but I will not use any identifying details. 

 

Online Sessions

If we work together online, our sessions will be carried out using a secure online platform. No third party can be present for online sessions without express prior agreement. You will need to ensure you have a stable internet connection and private space to maintain confidentiality within online sessions.

Sessions will not be recorded by either therapist or client without express prior written agreement. 

 

Your data protection rights

  • The right to access: You have the right to access your personal data. You can request a copy of your file by signing a Release of Information form, and your file will be released to you only, within 30 days of receipt of the signed form.

  • The right to rectification: You have the right to request that I correct any factual errors. You have the right to complain to the data controller (which is Joanne Barker).  If you are not happy with the response, you are entitled to complain to the Data Protection Commission (DPC) at https://www.dataprotection.ie

  • The right to erasure: You have the ‘right to be forgotten’, which means you can request that your file be destroyed on completion of therapy. Please note that a request for erasure may affect my ability to function in my role as counsellor and psychotherapist and may be subject to limitations, in order for me to comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

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