Privacy Policy

Who is responsible for your information

Maxine E King, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, is the data controller for this website. This means she is responsible for deciding how and why your personal information is used.

Maxine is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Email: maxine@maxineeking.com
Mobile: 07939 000725

About this policy

This policy explains how Maxine E King handles personal information when you visit this website or contact her about therapy.

It covers website use and initial enquiries. Information about therapy records and their retention is provided separately if you become a client.

Information you provide

When you contact Maxine by email or mobile, you may provide your name, contact details and information about your enquiry. This website does not have a contact form.

Email and text messages are not fully secure. Please keep your initial message brief and avoid sending detailed health information or other sensitive personal information. You can discuss these matters directly with Maxine.

Information about your health or personal circumstances may be classed as special category data. Additional protections apply to this information.

Technical information

The website host may record technical information in server logs, including your IP address, browser information, pages requested and the time of your visit. This information helps keep the website secure and working.

The website also includes Google Analytics and embedded Google Maps, described below.

How your information is used and why

Personal information is used to respond to your enquiry and arrange an initial consultation; operate, maintain and protect the website; understand website use through Google Analytics, where you have agreed to optional analytics; and meet applicable legal and professional obligations.

The legal basis for responding to an enquiry about therapy is taking steps at your request before entering into a contract. Website security and administration rely on legitimate interests. Where a specific legal obligation requires information to be processed, the legal basis is legal obligation.

Optional analytics rely on consent. You can withdraw that consent through the website’s cookie settings.

Health information: [Before publication, confirm and insert the applicable Article 6 lawful basis and Article 9 condition for processing health information received in enquiries.]

Your enquiry details are not sold or used to send marketing messages.

Cookies and Google Analytics

Cookies are small files stored on your device. Similar technologies may also be used to remember choices or measure website activity.

Necessary cookies support essential website functions and remember your cookie preferences.

The website uses Google Analytics to help understand how visitors use it, including which pages they visit and how they move through the site. Depending on the configuration, this can involve cookies or other identifiers and information about your browser, device and interactions.

Optional analytics are enabled only after you agree to them. You can decline optional analytics and continue using the website. You can change your choice through the cookie settings.

For information about Google’s use of data from websites using its services, see Google’s explanation.

Embedded Google Maps

The Contact page contains embedded Google Maps showing the practice locations.

When a map loads, your browser connects to Google. Google may receive technical information, including your IP address and browser information, and may use cookies or similar technologies.

Maps that require optional cookies or tracking are loaded only after you agree to the relevant cookie category. Declining them does not prevent you from reading the written location information or contacting Maxine.

Google’s handling of information is explained in its Privacy Policy.

Who receives your information

Information may be handled by service providers supporting the practice and website, including the website host, email provider and technical support providers.

Google also receives information when its analytics or map services are used. Its role and handling of information depend on the service.

Information may be shared with professional bodies, insurers or legal advisers where necessary to deal with a complaint or claim, or where disclosure is required by law or necessary to address a serious risk of harm.

Some providers may process information outside the UK. Where Maxine’s use of a provider involves an international transfer, the applicable transfer arrangements and safeguards must be checked.

How long information is kept

Enquiries that do not lead to therapy are deleted after six months, unless there is a specific legal reason to retain them longer.

Server-log retention is determined by the website host.

Google Analytics information is retained according to the settings of the website’s Analytics account. [Insert the confirmed Analytics retention period before publication.]

Information about therapy-record retention is provided separately to clients.

Keeping information safe

Reasonable technical and organisational measures are used to protect personal information against loss, misuse and unauthorised access.

The website uses HTTPS to encrypt information transmitted between your browser and the website. This does not make ordinary email or text messaging fully secure.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to access your personal information; correct inaccurate information; request deletion; restrict or object to processing; receive information in a portable format; and withdraw consent where processing relies on it.

These rights are subject to applicable conditions and exceptions. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that was lawful before withdrawal.

To make a request, contact Maxine using the details above. Requests are normally answered within one month, although an extension may apply to complex requests. There is usually no charge.

You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office or call 0303 123 1113.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when the website or the way personal information is handled changes. The date above identifies the latest revision.