Policies

Joanne Dixon Therapy

Privacy Notice 2026

Last updated: October 2026
Review date: October 2027

1. About this Privacy Notice

Joanne Dixon Therapy respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Notice explains what personal information I collect, why I collect it, how I use and protect it, how long I retain it, and your rights regarding your information.

This notice applies to information collected through the Joanne Dixon Therapy website, by email, telephone, enquiry forms, appointment arrangements and during the provision of counselling, coaching, supervision or other agreed services.

I aim to handle personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended.

2. Who is responsible for your information?

Data Controller: Joanne Dixon Therapy
Contact: joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com
Website: www.joannedixontherapy.co.uk

If you have questions about how your information is used or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact me at the email address above.

3. Information I may collect

Depending on the service you use, I may collect:

  • your name;
  • date of birth;
  • address;
  • telephone number;
  • email address;
  • emergency-contact details;
  • appointment and payment information;
  • information provided when you contact me;
  • information provided during an initial assessment;
  • information relating to your emotional or psychological wellbeing where relevant to therapy;
  • relevant health, medication or safeguarding information;
  • brief professional notes relating to counselling sessions; and
  • correspondence relating to your therapeutic relationship.

I only seek information that is reasonably necessary to provide and manage the service.

4. How I use your information

Your information may be used to:

  • respond to enquiries;
  • arrange and manage appointments;
  • provide counselling, coaching or supervision;
  • assess whether a service is appropriate for you;
  • maintain appropriate professional records;
  • communicate with you about your appointments;
  • manage safeguarding and emergency situations;
  • process payments;
  • obtain professional supervision;
  • comply with legal, professional or insurance requirements;
  • deal with complaints or concerns; and
  • request feedback about the service.

I will not use your information for unrelated purposes without an appropriate lawful basis.

5. Sensitive information

Information about physical or mental health is subject to additional protection under UK data-protection law.

Where you provide sensitive personal information as part of counselling or related services, it will be handled only where there is an appropriate lawful basis and, where required, an additional condition for processing special-category information.

6. Confidentiality

Information shared during therapy is treated as confidential, subject to the limits explained in your Working Agreement.

There may be circumstances where information has to be disclosed without your consent, including where I reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to protect you or another person from serious harm, to safeguard a child or adult at risk, to comply with a legal obligation or court order, or where disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.

Where it is safe, lawful and appropriate, I will discuss any proposed disclosure with you first.

7. Professional supervision

As part of safe and ethical professional practice, I undertake professional supervision.

I may discuss aspects of my professional work with my supervisor. Where possible, information will be anonymised, and only information necessary for appropriate professional supervision will be shared.

Professional supervision helps me reflect on my practice and maintain appropriate standards of care.

8. How information is stored

I take reasonable steps to keep personal information secure and protected against unauthorised access, loss, alteration or disclosure.

Information may be stored using password-protected, encrypted devices, software, and secure electronic systems.

Therapy notes and identifying contact information will be kept separately where reasonably practicable.

The technology and service providers used by Joanne Dixon Therapy may change from time to time. Where third-party services are used to process personal information, I will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate data-protection and security arrangements are in place.

9. Third-party service providers

Depending on how the practice operates, personal information may be processed by service providers used for purposes such as:

  • website hosting;
  • email;
  • appointment management;
  • payment processing;
  • video or telephone sessions;
  • electronic record keeping;
  • secure document storage; and
  • website analytics.

The actual providers currently used by Joanne Dixon Therapy should be listed here:

Website host: Webador
Email provider: Google
Online therapy platform: Google Meet
Payment provider/bank: Tide
Analytics: None
Forms/booking system: Google

10. International transfers

Some online services may process or store information outside the UK.

Where this applies, appropriate safeguards will be considered and used where required by data-protection law.

Further information about specific third-party services can be requested from Joanne Dixon Therapy.

11. How long information is kept

Personal information will not be kept indefinitely.

Joanne Dixon Therapy currently intends to retain counselling records for six years following the end of counselling, unless there is a legitimate legal, professional, insurance, or other reason to retain information for longer or delete it sooner.

Different types of administrative or financial information may be retained for different periods, where required.

Information will be securely deleted or destroyed when it is no longer required.

12. Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights under data-protection legislation, including the right to:

  • request access to information held about you;
  • ask for inaccurate information to be corrected;
  • request restriction of processing in certain circumstances;
  • object to certain processing;
  • request deletion where the legal requirements for deletion are met; and
  • complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

These rights are not absolute and some legal exemptions may apply.

13. Requesting your information

If you would like to request access to personal information held about you, please email:

joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com

Please provide sufficient information to identify you and locate the relevant records.

14. Complaints about data protection

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact me first so I can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

ICO website: ico.org.uk
ICO helpline: 0303 123 1113

15. Changes to this Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, professional guidance, technology or the way Joanne Dixon Therapy operates.

The latest version will be published on this website.

Joanne Dixon Therapy
Email: joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com
Website: www.joannedixontherapy.co.uk

 

Joanne Dixon Therapy

Website Terms & Cookie Policy 2026

Last updated: October 2026
Review date: October 2027

1. About this website

This website is provided by Joanne Dixon Therapy to provide information about counselling, coaching, supervision and related services.

Information on this website is intended to be general information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or emergency mental-health support.

2. Therapy is not an emergency service

Joanne Dixon Therapy does not provide an emergency or crisis service.

If you are in immediate danger, believe that you may harm yourself or someone else, or require urgent medical assistance, please contact emergency services on 999, attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department, contact NHS 111, your GP, or an appropriate crisis service.

3. Information on the website

Every reasonable effort is made to keep the information on this website accurate and up to date.

However, information may change, and Joanne Dixon Therapy does not guarantee that every page will always be complete, current or error-free.

Information provided on this website should not be used as a substitute for appropriate professional, medical or mental-health advice.

4. No therapeutic relationship through website use

Reading this website, sending an enquiry or communicating through the website does not by itself create a therapeutic relationship.

A therapeutic relationship begins only when therapy has been discussed, agreed and formally commenced.

5. Appointments and fees

Appointments, fees, cancellation arrangements and block bookings are governed by the current Working Agreement between Joanne Dixon Therapy and the client.

The Working Agreement will take precedence over general website information in the event of any discrepancy between the two.

6. External links

This website may contain links to other websites.

These links may be provided for information or signposting purposes. Joanne Dixon Therapy is not responsible for the content, privacy practices or security of external websites.

You should review the privacy policy and terms of any external website you visit.

7. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this website, including text, branding, photographs, graphics and original materials, belongs to Joanne Dixon Therapy or is used with permission.

You may view and use the website for your personal, non-commercial purposes.

You must not reproduce, copy, modify, distribute or commercially exploit website content without permission.

8. Website availability

Reasonable efforts will be made to keep the website available and secure.

However, uninterrupted availability cannot be guaranteed. The website may occasionally be unavailable due to maintenance, technical issues, hosting issues, or circumstances outside the control of Joanne Dixon Therapy.

9. Website security

Reasonable measures are taken to protect the website and information submitted through it.

However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Please avoid sending highly sensitive therapeutic information through a website enquiry form unless specifically requested.

10. Website enquiries

If you contact Joanne Dixon Therapy through the website, the information you provide may be collected and used to respond to your enquiry.

Please see the Privacy Notice for further information about how personal information is handled.

COOKIE POLICY

11. What are cookies?

Cookies are small files or similar technologies that may be stored on your device when you visit a website.

They can be used for purposes such as ensuring a website functions correctly, remembering preferences, measuring website usage, or providing other functionality.

12. Cookies used by this website

The cookies actually used by the website should be listed here.

Essential cookies:
Cookie Purpose Duration Category
JWSESSION Helps the website function correctly during a browser session. Session Essential
JwStickySession Stores products added to a wishlist. This is primarily relevant to Webador's online-store functionality. — Functional
JwUnsafe Used by Webador to confirm the website owner. Webador says it does not affect visitors' privacy. — Technical

“This website does not currently use non-essential analytics, advertising or tracking cookies.”

13. Managing cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings.

Where the website uses non-essential cookies or similar technologies that require consent, you will be given an appropriate choice before those technologies are used.

You can change or withdraw your cookie preferences where the website's cookie-management system allows this.

14. Changes to this policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated if the cookies, technologies or services used by the website change.

Joanne Dixon Therapy
Email: joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com
Website: www.joannedixontherapy.co.uk

Safeguarding Policy

Joanne Dixon Therapy

Safeguarding, Online Therapy & Complaints Policy

Last updated: October 2026
Review date: October 2027

1. Safeguarding Statement

Joanne Dixon Therapy is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of clients.

Safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and handled sensitively, proportionately and in accordance with relevant legal, professional and safeguarding requirements.

The wellbeing and safety of clients is an important part of ethical therapeutic practice.

2. When confidentiality may be limited

Therapy is confidential, but confidentiality has limits.

There may be circumstances where information needs to be shared without a client's consent, particularly where there is a serious concern about:

  • the client's immediate safety;
  • the safety of another person;
  • abuse or neglect of a child;
  • abuse or neglect of an adult at risk;
  • serious criminal activity; or
  • a legal requirement to disclose information.

Where possible and appropriate, the client will be involved in decisions about information sharing.

However, there may be circumstances where information cannot safely or lawfully be kept confidential or where the client cannot be informed beforehand.

3. Emergency situations

Joanne Dixon Therapy is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you are experiencing an immediate emergency or believe you are at immediate risk of serious harm:

Call 999

or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

For urgent NHS advice:

Call NHS 111

You may also contact your GP or an appropriate local crisis service.

Clients should not rely on email, text messages or website enquiries for emergency support.

4. Emergency contact

Clients may be asked to provide an emergency contact.

An emergency contact may only be contacted where Joanne Dixon considers this necessary and appropriate, subject to the circumstances, applicable law and professional obligations.

Clients should ensure that their emergency contact information is accurate and kept up to date.

5. Online and telephone therapy

Online and telephone therapy can provide a convenient way of accessing support, but it has particular considerations.

Clients are expected to:

  • participate from a reasonably private environment;
  • take reasonable steps to prevent others from overhearing sessions;
  • use an appropriate and secure device;
  • tell Joanne Dixon if another person is present during a session;
  • tell Joanne Dixon where they are physically located if requested, particularly if there is a safeguarding concern; and
  • inform Joanne Dixon if they are experiencing an immediate safety concern.

The therapist may postpone or end an online session where there is a significant concern about safety, confidentiality, technology, the client's location or the suitability of continuing remotely.

6. Technology problems

Online sessions depend upon technology and internet connectivity.

If a connection fails, reasonable attempts will be made to reconnect.

If the problem cannot be resolved, the therapist and client will agree, where possible, whether to continue by telephone, rearrange the appointment or take another appropriate step.

7. Clients outside the UK

Therapeutic services provided by Joanne Dixon Therapy are intended to be provided within the UK.

If a client is physically located outside the UK, Joanne Dixon Therapy may be unable to provide counselling because of legal, regulatory, professional and insurance considerations.

Any coaching service provided outside the UK will be separately agreed and will not be presented as UK therapeutic counselling.

Suitability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

8. Professional boundaries

Joanne Dixon Therapy maintains professional boundaries to protect clients and the therapeutic relationship.

This includes maintaining appropriate boundaries around:

  • communication;
  • social media;
  • personal contact;
  • gifts;
  • meetings outside therapy;
  • dual relationships; and
  • other contact outside the agreed therapeutic service.

Joanne Dixon Therapy does not normally connect with current or former clients through personal social-media accounts.

If therapist and client encounter one another outside therapy, the therapist will respect the client's privacy and will not normally initiate contact or acknowledge the client unless the client chooses to do so.

9. Professional supervision

Joanne Dixon undertakes professional supervision as part of maintaining safe and ethical practice.

Where appropriate, aspects of therapeutic work may be discussed in supervision. Information will be anonymised or otherwise handled appropriately wherever possible.

10. Complaints Policy

Joanne Dixon Therapy welcomes feedback and takes concerns seriously.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, you are encouraged to raise your concern with Joanne Dixon in the first instance.

You can do this verbally or in writing.

Email: joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com

Informal resolution

Where possible, concerns will be discussed openly and an attempt will be made to resolve them promptly and fairly.

Formal complaint

If you wish to make a formal complaint, please provide:

  • your name;
  • details of the concern;
  • relevant dates or information;
  • the outcome you are seeking, where appropriate; and
  • any supporting information you wish to provide.

A written acknowledgement will normally be provided within 7 working days.

The complaint will then be considered as fairly and objectively as possible.

A written response will normally be provided within 20 working days of receiving the complaint.

If more time is required because of the complexity of the matter, you will be informed of the reason for the delay and given an indication of when a response is expected.

Professional body

Where Joanne Dixon is a member or registrant of a professional body, clients may also have access to that organisation's complaints or professional-conduct procedures.

The relevant organisation and current procedure should be identified here:

Professional body: BACP
Membership/registration details: 00993517/408783
Complaints information: [LINK]

11. Respectful communication

Joanne Dixon Therapy aims to provide a respectful, inclusive and non-judgemental service.

Clients are expected to communicate respectfully with the therapist.

Abusive, threatening, discriminatory or intimidating behaviour will not be accepted.

Where such behaviour occurs, Joanne Dixon Therapy may take reasonable steps to protect the therapist and others, including ending a telephone, online or face-to-face session or reviewing whether therapy can safely continue.

12. Ending therapy

Therapy may be ended by the client or therapist.

Where possible, the ending will be discussed in advance and the therapeutic work brought to an appropriate conclusion.

Joanne Dixon may recommend alternative or additional support where therapy is no longer appropriate, falls outside her professional competence or another service would better meet the client's needs.

13. Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and may be updated in response to changes in legislation, professional guidance, safeguarding practice, technology or the services provided by Joanne Dixon Therapy.

Joanne Dixon Therapy
Email: joanne.d.counselling@gmail.com
Website: www.joannedixontherapy.co.uk

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