Privacy policy
I am committed to maintaining your privacy and handling your personal information with care and integrity. Whether you contact the service through the website, by email, phone, or during therapy sessions, your information is treated with the highest levels of confidentiality and respect. This privacy policy explains how your data is collected, stored, and used in line with UK GDPR and professional ethical guidelines.
If you choose to begin therapy following an initial enquiry, you’ll be asked to complete a consent form and therapy agreement that provides further details, particularly around how therapy notes and other records are handled.
Who is Responsible for Your Data
Dr Abi Adanijo is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and the data controller for all personal data collected via this website and during therapy. She is also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). If you have any questions about this policy or wish to update your personal information, you can contact her at: hello@drabi.co.uk.
What Data is Collected
When you contact me, either via the website, email, or phone, you may be asked to provide your name, contact details, and a brief summary of the difficulties you’d like support with. If you decide to begin therapy, further information will be collected, such as relevant personal history, mental health background, medications, and any involvement with other services or professionals.
In the course of therapy, clinical notes may be taken, and other materials such as assessments, reports, questionnaires, or letters may be created as part of your care. Some of this information is classified as “special category data” under the law, such as health information, and is handled with extra safeguards.
Technical data such as your IP address, browser type, and how you interact with the website may also be collected automatically through cookies or analytics tools.
How Your Data is Collected
Data is collected directly from you through online enquiry forms, emails, phone calls, or during online sessions. With your explicit consent, data may also be obtained from other professionals involved in your care - such as your GP, previous therapists, or other healthcare providers.
Website usage data may be gathered using cookies or similar tracking technologies. Please refer to the Cookie Policy for more information on how these work.
How Your Data is Used
Your data is used solely for the purpose of delivering psychological services. This includes communicating with you, arranging sessions, processing payments, keeping clinical records, and maintaining the quality and safety of the care you receive. Your information helps to ensure that the support offered is informed, relevant, and tailored to your needs.
Sensitive data is processed in accordance with professional standards and legal requirements. Your explicit consent is obtained where necessary, particularly when handling health-related information.
Data Sharing
Your information will only be shared when necessary and appropriate. With your consent, relevant information may be shared with professionals involved in your care - such as GPs or other healthcare providers.
Clinical psychologists are required to have regular supervision to maintain high standards. During supervision, information shared is limited to what is necessary to support your care and is treated with the same level of confidentiality as within therapy sessions.
Other third-party service providers may have access to limited data for operational purposes. These include but are not limited to:
Gmail, the email provider
Zoom, for video consultations
Squarespace, which hosts the website
Google Analytics, for anonymised website data tracking
OneDrive, for secure storage of notes and data
All third parties are required to follow strict data protection standards. Your information will never be used for marketing purposes. If there are serious concerns about risk or safeguarding, information may be shared without consent, but you will be informed wherever possible.
International Data Transfers
Some services used (such as Zoom or Gmail) may transfer your data outside the UK. These providers must adhere to UK-approved privacy frameworks or equivalent safeguards to ensure your data remains protected. Where such safeguards are not available, your explicit consent will be sought before any data transfer occurs.
How Your Data is Stored
All personal data and therapy records are stored securely using an encrypted, cloud-based system that complies with UK data protection standards. No paper notes are kept. Any handwritten notes taken during sessions are destroyed within 48 hours and replaced with secure digital copies.
Your clinical records will be stored for seven years after your 18th birthday, or for seven years after your last session if you are over 18, in line with professional guidance. After that period, they will be permanently deleted.
Data Retention
Your personal data will only be kept for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including legal and professional obligations. In some cases, anonymised data may be retained for research or service development purposes.
If you make an enquiry but do not proceed with therapy, your personal information will be deleted.
Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have several rights regarding your personal data. These include the right to access your data, request corrections, ask for your data to be deleted, object to or restrict processing, and request the transfer of your data to another service provider.
If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please email hello@drabi.co.uk. A response will be provided within one month. Proof of identity may be required. You will not be charged for any data requests unless they are unfounded, repetitive, or excessive, in which case a fee may be charged or the request refused.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how your personal information is being handled, please contact me in the first instance. If you remain dissatisfied, you can raise your concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) via www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Third-Party Links
This website may contain links to third-party websites. Clicking on these may allow others to collect or share your data. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites, and it is recommended that you read their policies before sharing any personal information.
Cookies
Cookies are used to enhance your experience of the website and to collect anonymised usage data. You can disable cookies through your browser settings if you prefer. Please see the Cookie Policy for more detail.