Effective date: October 2025
Watkins Blyth Psychology (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
1. Who We Are
Watkins Blyth Psychology is a sole-trader practice providing psychological assessment and therapy services within the United Kingdom.
For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller is:
Watkins Blyth Psychology
Email: wbpsychology@proton.me
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Website Data
Our website does not collect personal data through forms or registrations.
However, it may automatically collect certain information through the use of cookies (see Section 5 below).
2.2 Clinical Data
When providing psychological services, we may collect and process personal data including:
Contact details (e.g. name, address, phone number, email address);
Personal and sensitive information disclosed during assessment or therapy sessions;
Session notes, assessment records, or reports related to psychological services provided.
This information is collected directly from you during our professional engagement and is not collected through the website.
3. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data only where there is a lawful basis under the UK GDPR, including:
Performance of a contract: to deliver agreed psychological assessment or therapy services.
Legal obligation: to maintain appropriate records and comply with professional or statutory requirements.
Legitimate interests: to manage and operate the business effectively and ensure service quality.
Consent: where you have given specific consent (e.g. for sharing information with third parties).
4. How Your Information Is Stored
Clinical notes and correspondence are stored electronically using Proton’s encrypted mail and storage services. Please note, initial correspondence will only have the security that your email provider offers. The use of encrypted email will be discussed with you at your inital appointment.
Proton provides end-to-end encryption and servers based in Switzerland, offering a high level of data security and compliance with UK GDPR adequacy requirements.
Access to clinical data is restricted to the practitioner only.
Reasonable technical and organisational measures are in place to prevent unauthorised access, alteration, or loss of data.
No clinical data is stored on the public website.
5. Cookies
The Watkins Blyth Psychology website uses cookies to ensure proper website functionality and to analyse overall usage patterns.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You may disable cookies in your browser settings if you prefer not to allow them. Disabling cookies may affect certain website functions.
No cookies are used to collect personally identifiable information.
6. Data Retention
Clinical records are retained for seven (7) years after the end of therapy, or until age 25 if the record pertains to a child, after which they are securely deleted or destroyed.
Website cookies are retained for their standard duration as set by your browser or until you delete them.
7. Data Sharing and Disclosure
Your personal data is treated as confidential and is not shared with third parties except in the following circumstances:
Where you have provided explicit consent;
Where required by law or a court order;
Where necessary to prevent serious harm to yourself or others;
Where necessary for professional supervision (any discussion is anonymised).
We do not sell or rent personal data to any third party.
8. Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:
The right to access a copy of your personal data;
The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
The right to request erasure of your data (“the right to be forgotten”);
The right to restrict or object to processing;
The right to data portability;
The right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact: wbpsychology@proton.me.
If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Website: https://ico.org.uk
9. Data Transfers Outside the UK
Where data is stored or processed by Proton servers located in Switzerland, such transfers are covered by the UK Government’s adequacy regulations recognising Switzerland as providing an adequate level of protection for personal data.
10. Updates to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in practice or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be available on our website, with the effective date shown at the top of this page.
11. Contact
For any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is processed, please contact:
Watkins Blyth Psychology
Email: wbpsychology@proton.me