A calm space to reflect, heal and move forward.
Last updated: 11/06/2026
Sheila Burton Counselling respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored and protected when you visit this website, contact Sheila Burton Counselling, register for any online service, subscribe to communications, make an enquiry, or use counselling-related services.
This Privacy Policy should be read together with the website Terms and Conditions and Cookie Policy.
1. Who we are
This website is owned and operated by:
Sheila Burton
Sheila Burton Counselling
The Bank Community Enterprise Hub
Ballygillane Little
St Martins Road
Rosslare Harbour
Co. Wexford
Ireland
Email: sheilaburtoncounselling@gmail.com
For the purposes of data protection law, Sheila Burton is the data controller for the personal information collected through this website and in connection with the services provided.
2. Personal information we may collect
We may collect and process different types of personal information depending on how you interact with the website or services.
This may include:
Contact information
Your name, email address, phone number, postal address, and any other contact details you choose to provide.
Enquiry information
Information you provide when contacting us by email, website form, telephone, or other electronic means.
Appointment and service information
Information relating to appointments, bookings, cancellations, attendance, payments, and the services you request or receive.
Counselling-related information
If you engage in counselling or related services, you may choose to share personal, emotional, family, health, or wellbeing information. This may include sensitive information relevant to the therapeutic work.
Account or registration information
If the website allows account registration, we may collect login details, usernames, passwords, and information connected with your use of secured areas of the website.
Newsletter or communication preferences
If you subscribe to a newsletter or request updates, we may collect your name, email address, and preferences.
Payment and transaction information
Where relevant, we may process information relating to payments, invoices, receipts, refunds, and financial records. We do not intentionally collect or store full payment card details unless this is specifically required and securely handled by a payment provider.
Website and technical information
When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, date and time of access, and cookie preferences.
Communication records
We may keep records of emails, forms, messages, or other correspondence you send to us.
3. Special category data
Some information shared in connection with counselling or therapeutic services may be considered special category data under GDPR. This may include information about physical health, mental health, emotional wellbeing, family circumstances, relationships, sexuality, or other sensitive personal matters.
This type of information is treated with particular care and is only processed where there is a lawful basis to do so, such as where it is necessary to provide the service requested, where you have given consent, where professional confidentiality applies, where there is a legal or safeguarding obligation, or where it is necessary to protect someone’s vital interests.
4. How we use your personal information
We may use your personal information to:
Respond to enquiries.
Communicate with you about appointments, services, cancellations, fees, or practical arrangements.
Provide counselling-related services.
Manage bookings, records, payments, invoices, and administration.
Register and manage website accounts, where applicable.
Send newsletters or updates where you have requested or consented to receive them.
Maintain appropriate professional, administrative, legal, insurance, and safeguarding records.
Comply with legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, insurance, and professional obligations.
Protect the safety, security, availability, and proper functioning of the website.
Prevent misuse of the website, unauthorised access, spam, malicious software, or unlawful activity.
Improve the website and understand how visitors use it, where analytics tools are used.
We will not use your email address for unsolicited mail. Any emails sent to you will only be in connection with agreed services, legitimate communications, or communications you have chosen to receive.
5. Lawful basis for processing
We only process personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so.
The lawful bases we may rely on include:
Contract
Where processing is necessary to provide services you have requested, manage appointments, or communicate with you about those services.
Consent
Where you have given consent, for example for newsletter subscriptions, certain communications, or the processing of specific sensitive information where consent is required.
Legitimate interests
Where processing is necessary for the legitimate operation of the website or practice, such as responding to enquiries, maintaining records, protecting website security, and managing services, provided your rights and freedoms do not override those interests.
Legal obligation
Where processing is necessary to comply with legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, professional, safeguarding, or insurance obligations.
Vital interests
Where processing is necessary to protect your life or the life of another person, for example in an emergency or serious safeguarding situation.
6. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important part of counselling and therapeutic work. Personal information shared in connection with services is treated respectfully and carefully.
However, confidentiality may have limits. Information may need to be shared in limited circumstances, including:
Where there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person.
Where there is a safeguarding concern involving a child or vulnerable person.
Where disclosure is required by law, court order, or legal process.
Where necessary for professional supervision, ethical practice, insurance, complaints, or legal purposes.
Where necessary to respond to an emergency.
Where possible and appropriate, we will aim to discuss this with you before sharing information.
7. Professional supervision
Counselling professionals may use professional supervision as part of safe and ethical practice. Where information is discussed in supervision, identifying details are kept to the minimum necessary wherever possible.
8. Sharing your personal information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share limited personal information only where necessary with:
Professional supervisors.
IT, website, hosting, email, booking, analytics, or administrative service providers.
Payment processors or financial service providers.
Accountants, bookkeepers, insurers, legal advisers, or professional advisers.
Healthcare, emergency, safeguarding, or legal authorities where required.
Regulatory, professional, or complaints bodies where necessary.
Any third-party providers are expected to process personal information securely and only for the purpose for which it was provided.
9. Third-party websites and services
The website may include links or references to third-party websites, platforms, directories, booking systems, payment providers, or other services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites. If you use those websites or services, their own privacy policies and terms will apply.
10. Electronic communication
By using this website or communicating electronically, you acknowledge that communications may take place by email, website forms, or other electronic means.
Email and other electronic communication methods are convenient but may not always be fully secure. Please avoid sending highly sensitive information by email unless you are comfortable doing so.
11. Newsletter and marketing communications
If you subscribe to a newsletter or request updates, we may use your email address to send you relevant communications.
You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the email, where available, or by contacting:
sheilaburtoncounselling@gmail.com
We will not use your email address for unsolicited marketing.
12. Website accounts and passwords
If the website allows registration or account access, you are responsible for keeping your password and account details confidential.
You should not share your password or allow another person to access your account. If you believe your account has been accessed without permission, please contact us as soon as possible.
13. Cookies and analytics
This website may use cookies or similar technologies to make the website function properly, improve user experience, remember preferences, support security, and understand how visitors use the site.
Some cookies may be essential for the website to work. Others, such as analytics or marketing cookies, should only be used where appropriate consent has been obtained.
For more information, please see the website Cookie Policy.
You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.
14. How we store and protect your information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
Personal information may be stored in secure electronic systems, password-protected accounts, encrypted files, secure email systems, locked physical storage, or other appropriate systems.
Access to personal information is limited to what is necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
15. How long we keep your information
We only keep personal information for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including legal, professional, insurance, safeguarding, tax, accounting, and administrative purposes.
General website enquiries may be kept for a reasonable period so that we can respond and keep appropriate records.
Newsletter information is kept until you unsubscribe or ask for your details to be removed, unless we need to keep limited records to show your communication preferences.
Financial and transaction records may be kept for the period required by tax, accounting, and legal obligations.
Counselling-related records may be kept for a longer period in line with professional, legal, safeguarding, and insurance requirements.
When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted, destroyed, or anonymised.
16. International transfers
Where possible, personal information is processed within Ireland, the European Union, or the European Economic Area.
Some website, email, hosting, analytics, booking, or technology providers may process data outside the EU or EEA. Where this happens, appropriate safeguards should be used, such as contractual protections or other lawful transfer mechanisms.
17. Your data protection rights
Subject to certain limits and exemptions, you may have the following rights under data protection law:
The right to be informed about how your personal information is used.
The right to access a copy of the personal information held about you.
The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
The right to request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
The right to restrict processing in certain circumstances.
The right to object to processing in certain circumstances.
The right to data portability, where applicable.
The right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
The right to complain to the Data Protection Commission.
Some rights may be limited where information must be retained for legal, safeguarding, professional, insurance, contractual, or legitimate reasons.
18. How to make a data request
If you wish to make a request about your personal information, please contact:
sheilaburtoncounselling@gmail.com
We may need to confirm your identity before responding to your request.
19. Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information is handled, please contact us first so that we can try to resolve the matter.
You also have the right to complain to the Irish Data Protection Commission.
Data Protection Commission
21 Fitzwilliam Square South
Dublin 2
D02 RD28
Ireland
Website: www.dataprotection.ie
20. Children and young people
Where services involve children or young people, personal information may be provided by a parent, guardian, caregiver, or the young person themselves.
Information relating to children and young people is handled with particular care. Where appropriate, consent or involvement from a parent or guardian may be required, while also respecting the young person’s privacy, dignity, and best interests.
Safeguarding obligations may require information to be shared where there is a concern about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable person.
21. Accuracy of information
You are responsible for ensuring that any information you provide is accurate, correct, and up to date.
Please contact us if your personal information changes or if you believe information held about you is inaccurate.
22. Security of the website
We take reasonable steps to maintain the security and availability of the website. However, no website, email system, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You use the website and electronic communication methods at your own discretion.
23. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The most recent version will be posted on this website with the updated date shown at the top. Your continued use of the website after changes are posted will be treated as acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
24. Contact information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:
Sheila Burton Counselling
The Bank Community Enterprise Hub
Ballygillane Little
St Martins Road
Rosslare Harbour
Co. Wexford
Ireland