Privacy Policy

I am Samuel Bell, a coach and trainee coaching psychologist enrolled on an MSc accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I practise in accordance with the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct, which places a strong emphasis on confidentiality, data protection, and respect for clients’ rights.

I operate as a sole trader and am the Data Controller under UK data protection law.

Contact details:

Email:

Website: talklistenfocus.com

I am committed to protecting your personal data and privacy in line with:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct
• BPS guidance on record keeping, confidentiality, and supervision

In the course of providing coaching and coaching psychology services, I may collect and process the following data:

Standard personal data

• Name
• Contact details (email, phone number)
• Billing and payment information
• Written correspondence

Special category data

Due to the psychological nature of the work, I may also process special category (sensitive) data, including:

• Information about mental health, emotional wellbeing, or psychological experiences
• Personal background information relevant to coaching or development
• Session notes, reflections, and assessment outcomes

This type of data is treated with a high level of care and confidentiality.

Your data may be collected via:

• Website contact forms
• Email communication
• Coaching or coaching psychology sessions (online or in person)
• Reflective exercises, assessments, or agreed tools
• Contracts, invoices, and payment records

Lawful Basis for Processing

I process your data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

• Contract – to provide coaching or coaching psychology services
• Consent – particularly for processing special category data
• Legitimate interests – for professional administration and practice management
• Legal obligation – to meet professional, financial, or safeguarding requirements

You may withdraw consent at any time; however, this may limit my ability to continue working with you.

Confidentiality is a core ethical principle under the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Your information will remain confidential except in the following circumstances:

• Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or others
• Where disclosure is required by law
• Where information is discussed for professional supervision, as outlined below

Where possible, any disclosure will be discussed with you in advance.

As required by the BPS and good ethical practice, I engage in regular professional supervision.

• Elements of my work may be discussed with a qualified supervisor
• Identifying details are minimised wherever possible
• Supervision supports ethical, reflective, and competent practice
• Supervisors are bound by confidentiality obligations

I take appropriate technical and organisational steps to protect your data:

• Digital records are stored on password-protected and encrypted devices or platforms
• Paper records (if used) are stored in locked, secure storage
• Access to client records is limited to me, except in supervision or where legally required
• Reasonable steps are taken to protect data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access

In line with BPS guidance and professional best practice:

• Client records and session notes are retained for 5–7 years after the end of our work
• Financial records are retained for 7 years in accordance with HMRC requirements
• After the retention period, data is securely deleted or destroyed

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to: - Access your personal data - Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data - Request erasure of your data (subject to legal and ethical limits) - Restrict or object to processing - Request data portability - Withdraw consent at any time - Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ICO website: [https://ico.org.uk](https://ico.org.uk)

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This privacy policy may be updated from time to time to reflect legal, ethical, or practice changes.

The most current version will always be available on this website.