Privacy Policy

This policy explains how I, Nicola Jeffery, trading as Discovering Self, collect and use personal information when you visit this website or get in touch with me. I take your privacy seriously and only collect the information I need to respond to you and provide my services.

I am the data controller. You can contact me at any time with questions about this policy or your data.

Last updated: April 2026

Who I am and how to contact me

Nicola Jeffery — Discovering Self
Exeter, United Kingdom

Email: nicola@discoveringself.co.uk
Phone: 07450 019646

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as required under UK data protection law.

What information I collect

I collect personal information in the following ways:

When you use the contact form or email me

I collect the information you choose to share with me — typically your name, email address, phone number (if you provide it), and the content of your message.

When you become a client

If we agree to work together, I will ask for additional information relevant to our work, such as your contact details, GP details (for safety purposes), and relevant background information. This is collected and stored separately from the website, and kept securely offline.

When you visit this website

This site is hosted by Wix.com, which collects limited technical information automatically (such as your device type and general location) to keep the site working and secure. I do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any other third-party tracking tools on this site.

How I use your information

I use your information to:

Respond to your enquiry
Arrange a free initial conversation, if you'd like one
Provide counselling, coaching, or training if we agree to work together
Keep brief records of our work as required by my professional body (BACP) and for supervision
Send you occasional information you have specifically asked for (for example, session details or resources we have discussed)
Meet my legal, professional, and ethical obligations

I will never use your information for marketing or share it with third parties for marketing purposes.

Lawful basis for processing

Under UK GDPR, I rely on the following lawful bases:

Legitimate interests — to respond to your enquiry and communicate with you
Contract — to provide the services we have agreed
Legal obligation — to meet professional, ethical, and legal requirements
Consent — where you have specifically agreed, for example to receive information you have requested

How I store and protect your information

I take the security of your information seriously.

Website enquiries are received through the Wix contact form and forwarded to my professional email, which is hosted on Google Workspace. Both Wix and Google Workspace are GDPR-compliant providers with their own security measures in place.
Emails are stored in my password-protected email account and deleted when no longer needed.
Client session notes and records are kept offline in a locked cabinet, in line with BACP guidance. They are not stored online.
Digital files (for example, invoices) are stored on encrypted, password-protected devices.

I review my storage and security arrangements regularly.

How long I keep your information

I only keep your information for as long as necessary.

Enquiry messages — deleted within 12 months if we do not go on to work together
Client records — kept for seven years after our work ends, in line with BACP and insurance guidance, then securely destroyed
Financial records (invoices, receipts) — kept for six years, as required by HMRC

If you would like your information deleted sooner, please let me know. I will do so unless I am legally required to keep it.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Ask what information I hold about you
Ask me to correct information that is wrong or incomplete
Ask me to delete your information (where I am not legally required to keep it)
Ask me to restrict how I use your information
Object to how I use your information
Withdraw consent at any time, where I am relying on consent
Ask for a copy of your information in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, please email me at nicola@discoveringself.co.uk. I will respond within one month.

If you are unhappy with how I have handled your information, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.

Cookies

This website uses a small number of essential cookies set by Wix to keep the site working properly and secure. I do not use tracking, advertising, or analytics cookies.

You can control cookies through your browser settings at any time. More information about Wix's cookie use is available at wix.com.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy from time to time. The most recent version will always be on this page, with the date it was last updated shown at the top.