Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
This privacy policy explains how Anna Conway-Cowin (trading as Anna Conway-Cowin Counselling) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit annaconwaycowincounselling.co.uk or make contact with me.
I take your privacy seriously. As a counsellor, I understand that privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to the therapeutic relationship, and I am committed to handling any information you share with care and respect.
This policy is written in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who I Am (Data Controller)
Anna Conway-Cowin is the data controller responsible for your personal data.
Business name: Anna Conway-Cowin Counselling
Location: 745B Southchurch Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2PP and 1 Church Hill, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2DE, Essex
Email: a.conwaycowin @ gmail.com
Telephone: 07763 913 093
If you have any questions about how I use your personal data, please get in touch using the contact details above.
What Personal Data I Collect
Contact enquiries
When you use the contact form on this website, I collect your:
• Name
• Email address
• The content of your message
I may also collect your phone number and name if you contact me directly by phone, email, or WhatsApp.
Website analytics
This website uses Google Analytics to help me understand how visitors use the site. Google Analytics collects information such as:
• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at the site (e.g. a search engine or social media link)
• Your approximate location (country/region level only)
• Device type and browser
This data is collected using cookies and is anonymised. It does not identify you personally. See Section 7 (Cookies) for more detail.
Client session information
If you become a client, I will hold additional information relevant to your therapy. This is handled under a separate client agreement and therapist confidentiality obligations, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
Lawful Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, I must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. The basis I rely on depends on the purpose:
Contact form enquiries: Legitimate interests — to respond to your enquiry and, where relevant, to take steps prior to entering into a contract for therapy.
Google Analytics: Consent — analytics cookies are only placed when you have agreed to them.
Therapy client data: Contract and, where health data is involved, explicit consent or substantial public interest in health and social care (Schedule 1, Data Protection Act 2018).
How I Use Your Data
I use the personal data you provide only for the purposes set out below:
• To respond to your enquiry or booking request
• To arrange and provide counselling sessions
• To send you information you have requested (e.g. session confirmation, Google Meet links)
• To improve this website using anonymised analytics data
I will never sell your personal data, or use it for unsolicited marketing.
Who I Share Your Data With
I do not share your personal data with third parties except in the following limited circumstances:
Google Analytics
Anonymised website usage data is processed by Google LLC. Google may transfer this data to servers outside the UK and EEA. Google participates in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and provides appropriate safeguards for international transfers. You can review Google’s privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.
Google Meet
Online sessions are conducted via Google Meet. By participating, you agree to Google’s terms of service and privacy policy. I do not record sessions unless explicitly agreed with you in advance.
Insurance providers
I am approved with several insurance providers including BUPA, AXA, Vitality and AVIVA. I may share information with your insurer where necessary to process a claim, with your knowledge and consent.
Legal requirement
In exceptional circumstances I may be required to disclose information without your consent, for example where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or others, or where required by a court order. Where possible, I will discuss this with you first.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. This website uses the following cookies:
Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Used to collect anonymised information about how visitors use this site. These cookies are only set with your consent.
Strictly necessary cookies: WordPress may set cookies that are essential for the site to function correctly (e.g. maintaining a session). These do not require consent.
You can manage or withdraw your consent to analytics cookies at any time by adjusting your browser settings or using the cookie preferences on this site.
How Long I Keep Your Data
I retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes it was collected:
• Contact form enquiries: up to 12 months from the date of your last contact, unless you become a client
• Client therapy records: 7 years from the end of our therapeutic relationship, in line with BACP guidance (or until the client’s 25th birthday, whichever is longer, for clients under 18)
• Google Analytics data: in line with Google’s standard retention periods (up to 26 months)
After the applicable retention period, data is securely deleted.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
• Right of access — you can request a copy of the personal data I hold about you
• Right to rectification — you can ask me to correct inaccurate data
• Right to erasure — you can ask me to delete your data in certain circumstances
• Right to restrict processing — you can ask me to limit how I use your data
• Right to data portability — you can ask for your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to object — you can object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time
To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at a.conwaycowin@gmail.com. I will respond within one month.
Please note that some of these rights are not absolute — in particular, the right to erasure does not apply where I am required to retain records for legal or professional reasons (such as therapy notes under BACP guidance).
Right to Complain
If you are unhappy with how I have handled your personal data, please contact me in the first instance and I will do my best to resolve the issue.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK’s data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Website: ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Links to Other Websites
This website contains links to external sites, including the BACP register, Counselling Directory, Dawn Lister Therapy Centre, Healthcode and BUPA. This privacy policy applies only to annaconwaycowincounselling.co.uk. I recommend you review the privacy policies of any other websites you visit.
Changes to This Policy
I may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date at the top. If changes are significant, I will make this clear on the website.
Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how I handle your data, please contact me:
Email: a.conwaycowin @ gmail.com
Telephone: 07763 913 093
Website: annaconwaycowincounselling.co.uk