Website Use - Terms & Conditions

The terms ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website, Growing Space Counselling and Wellbeing, Worthing, BN11 5LT, West Sussex. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website. The use of this website is subject to the following terms and conditions of use:

The content of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.

Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.

This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.

Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.

This website also includes links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s) and you will need to check their Privacy Policies on how your data and information will be used.

You may not create a link to this website from another website or document without our prior written consent.

By using this website you are agreeing that we can place cookies on your device. You can manage or delete cookies in your browser settings. Microsoft offers further information on how to do this. Please be aware that disabling cookies on your computer can adversely affect your user experience across many websites.

We use Google Analytics to collect anonymous data relating to user behaviour and ‘web traffic’ statistics. The collection and use of this data by Google Inc. is subject to their own Privacy Policies.

We use Facebook social buttons on many of our website pages. This enables you to visit and interact with our Facebook page. By following these button links you start engaging with Facebook and will need to check their Privacy Policies on how your data and information will be used.

Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England and Wales.

Privacy Policy

Any personal data provided by you to Growing Space Counselling & Wellbeing through any means (verbal, written, in electronic form, or by your use of our website) will be held and processed in accordance with the data protection principles set out in the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 and the Data Use and Access Act (DUAA) 2025 for the purposes for which you have given consent, to provide the services you have requested from us, and to meet the legitimate interests of our business.

This policy only applies to data collected by us and our team members, and via our own forms and website. Third party agents, and websites which are linked to ours, are not covered by this policy.

When you request counselling with us, become a team member, or otherwise provide your personal details to us, you will be asked to consent to our processing of your data under the terms of this policy.

Growing Space Counselling & Wellbeing may change this policy from time to time by updating this document. If we make any substantial changes, we will notify you by posting a prominent announcement on our website. This policy is effective from June 2026.

What information do we collect?

1. Counselling Requests– You can contact us online, by email or telephone. At that stage you will need to provide us with your name, telephone number(s) and email address. We may also request information on your availability, therapeutic issues, and other details which we deem relevant to processing your request.
2. Getting-to Know Sessions – At this initial appointment we ask about your current personal, social, medical circumstances and your reasons for seeking counselling.  We may also ask about your background and family history, as well as the issues which are affecting you now. We require this information so that we can decide about our offer of counselling to you, and to manage the service we provide you with.
3. Other Forms – When you commence counselling with us, we ask you to complete an intake form and sign a service agreement. From time to time, we may use other forms to support your counselling process. Personal information that we collect from you includes your name, contact details (phone numbers, email address and addresses), your date of birth, GP details (if agreed), as well as any other personal information relating to you that you choose to provide to us during therapy.
4. Communication with you – For email correspondence with you, we use encrypted email from password protected computers. Text messaging is done from password protected mobiles; your contact details on our mobiles are limited to your first name and your phone number.
5. Session Notes – Your counsellor may keep notes about your sessions. Where notes are kept, they will be short and factual, and may include things such as background information, key issues that have come up for you, and any concerns that your counsellor might have. In accepting our offer of counselling, it is understood that you have agreed to these records being kept.
6. Website – By using our website you are agreeing that we can place cookies on your device. You can manage or delete cookies in your browser settings. Microsoft offers further information on how to do this. Please be aware that disabling cookies on your computer can adversely affect your user experience across many websites. We use Google Analytics to collect anonymous data relating to user behaviour and ‘web traffic’ statistics. The collection and use of this data by Google Inc. is subject to their own Privacy Policies. For more information on using our website see our Terms and Conditions at www.growing-space.com .

What do we use your information for?

We use information held about you in the following ways:

• To provide you with the professional counselling service requested from us.
• To offer suitable counselling appointments
• To notify you about changes to your appointments and other changes to our services.
• To seek feedback from you on your experience of counselling with us.
• To improve our service to ensure that it is provided most effectively for you and for us.

What information do we share?

We will not share any information about you with other organisations or people, except in the following situations:

1. Consent – We may share your information with professional carers or others whom you have requested or agreed we should contact.
2. Serious harm – We may share your information with the relevant authorities if we have reason to believe that this may prevent serious harm being caused to you or another person.
3. Compliance with law – We may share your information where we are required to by law or by the regulations and other rules to which we are subject.
4. Compliance with professional conduct – We may share your information with an accredited counselling supervisor who can contact you on your counsellor’s behalf should your counsellor be incapacitated to do so.

How do we keep your information safe?

All information you provide to us is stored as securely as possible.  All paper forms and correspondence are kept under lock and key. All electronic records are stored on our own computer(s), all of which require password-protected authentication, or by reputable service providers using secure internet ‘cloud’ technology which abides by the GDPR. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your information using industry-standard protocols and encryption, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to us during video counselling using a third-party provider (Zoom), or via email, including forms completed on our website which are transmitted by email; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Your identifiable personal information is kept separately from any session notes and other descriptive material. Client notes and other documentation are destroyed 3 years after the end of counselling. Personal contact details are destroyed/deleted after 5 years of no contact or updates. Emails are deleted after 12 months. 

Your Rights

The Subject Access Request (SAR) allows you to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, we will conduct a reasonable and proportionate search to locate your data and respond within one month. If any information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it.

In certain circumstances, you can ask us to limit how we use your data, or you can ask for your data to be deleted. This does not apply where we are required to retain records in line with the Limitation Act 1980 and standard professional indemnity insurance requirements, or where retention is necessary for legal claims.

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling in our practice. You may withdraw your consent to our holding and processing of your data at any time.  However, if you do this while actively receiving counselling with us, your counselling will have to end.

You have the right to make a data protection complaint. If you have concerns about how we have handled your personal data, please let us know and we will do our best to resolve the issue.

To exercise any of these rights, please use the contact form underneath.

If you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF

Website: ico.org.uk Telephone: 0303 123 1113