Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 12, 2025
Owner: Claire Smith – Psychosocial Counsellor
Website: www.clairesmithcounselling.com
Email: info@clairesmith-counselling.com
Phone: +41 79 629 1190
Claire Smith (“I,” “my,” or “me”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and store your personal information when you visit this website or contact me for counselling services. It applies whether you are located in Switzerland, the UK, or elsewhere in Europe.
1. Who I Am
I am an English-speaking psychosocial counsellor based in Switzerland. I offer in-person counselling in Lausanne and Lutry, and online counselling to clients in Vevey, Geneva, Fribourg, and Vaud, across Switzerland, the UK, and Europe.
I am the data controller for all personal information collected via this website.
2. Information I Collect
I may collect the following personal data:
Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number.
Inquiry Details: Any information you provide in the contact form or email (e.g., preferred appointment times, reason for seeking counselling).
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, time zone, and device information (collected automatically via cookies – see Section 7).
Session Records: Notes and records related to our counselling sessions (kept securely and separately from the website).
Confidentiality and Consent: When you start therapy with me, we’ll go over a Consent Form that explains how your information is kept confidential and the limits to confidentiality. The information you share during therapy is protected and handled with care.
I do not collect unnecessary personal data, and I do not sell or rent your information.
3. How I Collect Your Information
Your information is collected when you:
Fill in the contact form on my website.
Email or call me directly.
Book a consultation or session.
Visit my website (via cookies and analytics tools).
4. How I Use Your Information
Your personal data will be used for:
Responding to your enquiries.
Providing counselling services.
Managing appointments and communications.
Fulfilling legal and professional obligations.
Improving my website and services.
I only use your information when I have a lawful basis under data protection laws, such as your consent, a contractual obligation, or my legitimate interest in providing my services.
5. Sharing Your Information
I will never sell or trade your personal data. I only share information:
With trusted service providers (e.g., email hosting, scheduling software) who are bound by confidentiality and data protection agreements.
If required by law or professional regulations.
If there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, as outlined in my professional ethical guidelines.
All data transfers outside Switzerland, the UK, or the EU comply with applicable data protection regulations.
6. Data Storage & Security
Your information is stored securely in encrypted software.
Counselling session notes are stored separately from website contact data, in encrypted and password-protected systems.
I retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or to meet legal requirements.
7. Cookies & Website Analytics
My website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand how the site is used.
Cookies may collect:
Pages visited
Time spent on the site
Browser/device type
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Some features may not work properly without cookies.
8. Your Rights
Under Swiss, EU (GDPR), and UK (UK GDPR) data protection laws, you have the right to:
Access the personal data I hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate data.
Request deletion of your data (where legally possible).
Restrict or object to the processing of your data.
Withdraw consent at any time (for example, to stop receiving emails).
To exercise these rights, contact me at info@clairesmith-counselling.com
9. Third-Party Links
My website may link to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. Please review their privacy policies separately.
10. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the law or my services. The “Last updated” date will be revised accordingly.
11. Contact Me
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, you can contact me at:
Claire Smith – Psychosocial Counsellor
Website: www.clairesmithcounselling.com
Email: info@clairesmith-counselling.com
Phone: +41 79 629 1190
If you are in the EU or UK and believe your data protection rights have been breached, you can contact your local supervisory authority. In Switzerland, this is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).