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Welcome, I am Anna and I see you've taken the brave step to look for a counsellor.
It can be difficult to discuss your emotions, thoughts and feeling, but I can offer you a safe place to listen and be heard. Then together we can explore potential new life paths that may bring change.
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I am a qualified counsellor and I love my role, I always feel very privileged when someone who is feeling destressed to help them gain confidence and feel they are able to manage life experiences in a more calm and confident way.
“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner." I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.”
― Carl R. Rogers
About
Anna Watson
Who am I
I have a vast range of experience in working with clients with varying presenting issues. I am empathic and caring and will support you in your journey. I am someone who was drawn to counselling from my own life experiences. One of the most important things I feel I can offer to you as a client is empathy. Previously I have volunteered with a grief charity as part of my journey to being the fully qualified counsellor I am now.
This journey has taken me 8 years of academic study and volunteering in a variety of counselling agencies.
I feel I am still on my own personal journey, which will never end in terms of learning.
I can work with anyone over the age of 11, who feel they are facing difficulties coping with their current life experiences.
I also have some specialisms that I can offer to those that are seeking help with Anxiety & Depression, Bereavement or Dyslexia. We would use blended combinations of person centred, psychodynamic modalities and CBT to create some personalised coping plans to improve your life quality.
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I offer short term work, 6 sessions focusing on a specific areas of therapy and long term therapy
Qualifications
Cruse bereavement care foundation course
Level 2 certificate in counselling skills
Level 3 certificate in counselling studies
Level 4 diploma in counselling and psychotherapy
Level 5 diploma in counselling and psychotherapy
Registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have personal experience with dyslexia, from coping with my own diagnosis and supporting other people.
My specialist training and focus on dyslexia means I can explore with clients
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the impacts it may be having on their confidence and self-esteem.
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how to overcome feelings of being different and not good enough.
I can work with people from the age of eleven, who are still coming to terms with their diagnosis and finding it a struggle.
I can also support Parents/ Carers with a recent diagnosis of a child and help them come to terms with the diagnosis.
I am able to offer grief counselling to anyone who has lost a loved one. I have many years experience in Bereavement, including Infant, child loss and suicide.
Grief can be exhausting mentally and physically and it can be delayed, sudden or expected, you can experience the consequences of a loss even years after the passing.
I have the ability to sit with you and walk alongside you as we explore the grief you may be feeling.
I also offer support when a loved one is dying.
Anxiety, panic attacks and depression can have many, multiple and complex causes.
We can explore your individual circumstances in a safe space, then develop a personalised coping strategy. This will be at a pace and with milestones that reflect your confidence level in the hope of making changes in your life.
Covid-19 has effected many people and their mental health. Lockdown and coming out of it has been especially challenging, causing anxieties in many people.
Using appropriate combinations of talking therapies and person centred, psychodynamic and CBT tools will enable you to learn skills to live a happier life in the post Covid, new normality.
I have vast experience working with 11 to 18 year olds who suffer with social anxiety, anxiety and depression.
Covid has had an impact on teenagers mental health, particularly when children returned to education.
Working with Anna
I can offer face to face sessions at our Counselling Suite in the Nexus building in Cheney Manor, Swindon and online or telephone to anywhere else in the UK. Please note that there is free parking while attending face to face sessions.
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Fees
£55 per session. Face to Face, online (Zoom) or Telephone
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Trainee counsellors are £45 per session. Face to Face, online (Zoom) or Telephone
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Request Contact from Anna
Testimonials
“Having counselling with Anna has enabled me to have the confidence to live a different life ”
CG
“Anna gave me a new insight into my life allowing me to think more positively moving forward”
AF
“Thank you Anna for caring and supporting me after losing my child, I am now not so consumed by my grief"
DV
Privacy Policy for Sole Trader Counselling Practice (UK GDPR & ICO‑Compliant)
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit my website or engage in counselling with me. As a counselling practitioner, I handle particularly sensitive information and follow the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
I am committed to protecting your privacy, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring your data is handled lawfully and respectfully.
2. Who I Am (Data Controller)
Business name: Anna Watson awatson35@btinternet.com Address: Nexus Business Centre,SN2 2PN Email:
I am the Data Controller, meaning I determine how and why your personal data is processed.
3. The Personal Data I Collect
I may collect and process the following types of personal data:
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Enquiry information — name, email address, phone number, and details you provide when contacting me.
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Client information — personal history, therapy notes, and information shared during sessions.
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Special category data — mental health information, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other sensitive details you choose to share.
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Technical data — IP address, browser type, and website usage data.
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Cookies — used to improve website functionality.
I only collect information that is necessary for providing counselling services or responding to enquiries.
4. Lawful Bases for Processing Your Data
I process your data under the following lawful bases:
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Contract — to provide counselling services you request.
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Consent — for collecting special category data and for optional communications.
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Legitimate interests — to respond to enquiries and manage my practice.
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Legal obligations — safeguarding, preventing serious harm, or complying with tax and accounting laws.
For counselling notes and sensitive information, I rely on explicit consent and the provision of health or social carecondition under UK GDPR Article 9(2)(h).
5. How I Use Your Personal Data
I use your data to:
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Respond to enquiries
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Arrange and provide counselling sessions
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Maintain clinical records
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Ensure safety and safeguarding
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Manage payments and invoicing
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Improve my website and services
I do not use your data for automated decision‑making or profiling.
6. Confidentiality & When Information May Be Shared
Everything you share in counselling is confidential. I will not share your information unless:
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You give explicit consent
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I am required to do so by law
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There is a risk of serious harm to you or others
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I am required to share information for safeguarding purposes
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My professional body or insurer requires limited information for ethical or legal reasons
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I discuss work in clinical supervision, where your identity is protected
I do not sell or trade your data.
7. Third‑Party Data Processors
I may share limited data with trusted third parties who help me run my practice, such as:
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Website hosting providers
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Email service providers
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Payment processors
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Clinical supervisors (anonymised where possible)
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Accountants for financial compliance
All third parties are required to keep your data secure and process it only according to my instructions.
8. International Data Transfers
If any third‑party services store data outside the UK (e.g., email providers), I ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:
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UK adequacy regulations
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Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
9. Data Retention
I keep your personal data only for as long as necessary:
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Enquiry emails: 12 months
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Client records and session notes: 7 years (professional and insurance requirement)
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Financial records: 6 years (legal requirement)
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Website analytics data: up to 26 months
After these periods, data is securely deleted or destroyed.
10. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
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Access your data
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Correct inaccurate data
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Request deletion
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Restrict processing
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Object to processing
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Data portability
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Withdraw consent at any time
To exercise your rights, contact me at [Insert email].
If you are unhappy with how I handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): https://www.ico.org.uk
11. Cookies & Website Tracking
My website may use cookies to:
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Improve functionality
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Analyse website traffic
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Enhance user experience
You can disable cookies through your browser settings.
12. Security Measures
I take data security seriously and use appropriate measures, including:
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Encrypted devices
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Password‑protected files
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Secure email practices
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Locked storage for paper notes
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Regular security reviews