Privacy Notice

Introduction

Your privacy is very important to me, and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure and will only be used for the purpose it was given to me.

I adhere to current data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) (the GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.

What This Notice Covers

  • Why I am able to process your information and for what purpose
  • Whether you have to provide your data
  • How long I store it
  • Who else may receive it
  • Your data protection rights

Contact Information

Data Controller: Dezrika Ramsey

ICO Registration Number: ZB847698

Phone: 07596168815

Email: dezrika@figuringforward.com

Lawful Basis for Holding and Using Your Personal Information

I process personal data under the following legal bases:

  • Legitimate Interest: Holding data for past therapy clients
  • Contractual Necessity: Processing data for current therapy clients
  • Special Category Data: Processing health-related data under GDPR provisions

How I Use Your Information

Initial Contact

When you contact me regarding my services, I collect information such as your name, contact details, and the nature of your enquiry.

If you decide not to proceed, I will delete your information within one month.

During Counselling

Your discussions with me remain confidential unless:

  • You disclose risk of harm to yourself or others
  • There is a legal obligation to disclose information
  • There are safeguarding concerns (e.g., child or vulnerable adult abuse)

Record-Keeping and Data Security

Personal data is stored securely:

  • Encrypted files and password-protected devices
  • Written notes stored in locked filing systems

After Counselling Ends

Records are retained for seven years and then securely destroyed. If you wish to have your data deleted sooner, please let me know.

Third-Party Recipients of Personal Data

I use third-party services to facilitate my work:

Your Rights

Under data protection laws, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request corrections or deletions
  • Restrict or object to processing
  • Request data portability

For more details, visit ICO – Your Data Matters.

Data Security

I implement the following security measures:

  • Encrypted digital records
  • Password-protected systems
  • Locked storage for physical records

Visitors to My Website

I use Google Analytics to track website usage. Data collected includes:

  • Visitor numbers
  • Page interactions

Google’s privacy notice: Google Privacy Policy.

Cookies

Cookies help improve website functionality and user experience. Types of cookies used:

  • Session Cookies: Essential for website operation
  • Persistent Cookies: Store user preferences
  • Tracking Technologies: Such as web beacons for visitor insights

Managing Cookies

You can disable cookies in your browser settings. More information on managing cookies is available on the ICO website.

Changes to This Privacy Notice

I may update this notice from time to time. Updates will be posted here.

Contact Me

If you have any concerns about data handling, contact me at dezrika@figuringforward.com

Formal Complaints

If you wish to make a formal complaint, you can contact the ICO: Make a Complaint.

Social Media Disclaimer

I maintain a presence on social media for professional purposes. While you’re welcome to view my posts, please note that liking or commenting can be seen by anyone who visits my page. I will never identify you as a client. I will not engage in counselling via social media. In this instance, I will normally invite you to contact me directly. I do not accept friend requests from clients on personal accounts to maintain professional boundaries. If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Figuring Forward Conversations Project

Purpose and Data Collection

For the “Figuring Forward Conversations” project, I collect:

  • Name and contact information provided in the consent form
  • Audio and video recordings of our conversation
  • Any written notes taken during our discussion
  • Information about accessibility needs you may share

Lawful Basis for Processing

  • Consent: All recording and sharing is based on your explicit consent
  • Legitimate Interest: For educational and community support purposes

How Recorded Content is Used

With your explicit consent, recordings may be:

  • Shared on social media platforms (specify which ones: YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Published on the Figuring Forward website
  • Used in podcast formats
  • Included in promotional materials for the project

Your Additional Rights for Recorded Content

Beyond standard data protection rights, you have the right to:

  • Review any content before publication
  • Request specific edits or removal of portions
  • Withdraw consent before publication (content will not be shared)
  • Request removal of published content (reasonable requests will be honored)

Data Retention for Recordings

  • Raw recordings are stored securely for at least 12 months after publication to allow for any necessary edits or technical issues
  • Published content remains available unless you request removal
  • Technical backup copies are retained for the same period as raw recordings

Third-Party Platforms

When content is shared, it becomes subject to the privacy policies of:

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Podcast hosting platforms (if applicable)
  • Other social media platforms as determined appropriate for the project

International Data Transfers

If content is shared on international platforms (like YouTube, Instagram), your data may be transferred outside the UK/EU. These platforms have their own privacy safeguards.

Technical Security for Recordings

  • Recordings are encrypted during transmission via Microsoft Teams
  • Files are stored on password-protected, encrypted devices

Participant Identity

This is a video podcast series where participants appear as themselves. No anonymisation options (such as pseudonyms, voice modification, or video blurring) are available. By consenting to participate, you understand that:

  • Your name and appearance will be visible
  • The conversation will be attributed to you personally
  • Content may be discoverable through search engines and social media

Contact for Conversations Project

For any questions specifically about the Figuring Forward Conversations project and your recorded content, contact me at dezrika@figuringforward.com with “Conversations Project” in the subject line.