1. Website Information and Limits of Support

The information provided on the Novara Counselling & Coaching website is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personal therapy, coaching, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Accessing this website, reading its content, sending an enquiry, or following Novara Counselling & Coaching on social media does not create a therapist-client or coach-client relationship. A professional working relationship only begins once sessions have been agreed, relevant paperwork has been completed, and both parties have consented to working together.

2. Crisis and Emergency Support

This website, email and social media channels are not monitored 24 hours a day. They should not be used for crisis communication or urgent support.

If you feel at immediate risk, or you are concerned about your safety or someone else’s safety, please seek urgent help rather than waiting for a reply. In the UK, you can contact NHS 111, call Samaritans free on 116 123, contact your GP, or attend your nearest A&E department. If there is an immediate risk to life, please call 999.

3. Social Media and Communication Boundaries

To protect professional boundaries and client confidentiality, I keep my personal life and professional practice separate. I do not accept friend requests or personal social media connections from current, former or potential clients.

You are welcome to follow the Novara Counselling & Coaching business pages, but please be aware that social media is not a confidential space and should not be used to share sensitive personal information.

Where WhatsApp is used, it is for brief administrative communication only, such as appointment arrangements. WhatsApp should not be used for therapeutic content, crisis messages, or confidential clinical detail. WhatsApp messages are set with a 7-day disappearing message timer.

4. Privacy and Data Protection

Novara Counselling & Coaching is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in line with UK GDPR and data protection requirements. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, registration number ZB862079.

The personal information I may collect includes your contact details, completed intake or assessment forms, relevant health or medication information, appointment information, payment records, and brief clinical notes. This information is collected only where needed to communicate with you, assess suitability, provide safe and appropriate support, manage appointments, meet professional obligations, and maintain accurate records.

I do not use AI tools to write my clinical notes.

5. How Information Is Stored and Used

Information is stored securely and accessed only where necessary for the running of my professional practice. I may use trusted professional services for administration, communication, appointments, online sessions and financial record keeping. These may include Google Calendar, email services, webmail, Zoom, and HMRC-related tax services where required.

Your information will not be sold or used for marketing purposes without your consent. Information will only be shared where legally, ethically or professionally required, such as where there is a serious risk of harm, safeguarding concern, legal requirement, or where disclosure is otherwise necessary in line with my professional responsibilities.

6. Data Retention and Your Rights

You have the right to request access to the personal information held about you, and to ask for information to be corrected where appropriate.

Clinical notes and relevant client records are retained for 7 years after your final session, in line with insurance and professional record-keeping requirements. After this period, records will be securely destroyed.

If you have a concern about how your personal data has been handled, you may raise a data protection complaint directly with Novara Counselling & Coaching. Complaints will be acknowledged within 30 days of receipt and reviewed in line with current data protection requirements.

7. Fees, Payments and Cancellations

Private session payments are made securely by BACS.

A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or rearrange an appointment. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will remain payable at the full session fee.

8. Public Encounters

If we meet in a public space, either in person or online, I will not initiate contact. This is to protect your privacy and confidentiality.

You are welcome to acknowledge me if you choose to, and I will follow your lead.

9. Copyright

Last updated: June 2026

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No part of this website content may be copied, reproduced, distributed, adapted or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the author.