Privacy and Trust

[Last updated: July 2026]

Privacy POLICY

Catherine Paterson is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information lawfully, transparently, securely and responsibly in accordance with UK data protection law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

01. Who We Are

For the purposes of data protection law, Catherine Paterson acts as the Data Controller for personal information collected through this website and associated communications.

Contact: catjpaterson@gmail.com

02. Who This Policy Covers

This Privacy & Cookies Policy applies if you:

  • Visit our website.

  • Contact us with an enquiry.

  • Subscribe to our newsletter.

  • Download digital resources.

  • Purchase self-guided digital products or online classes.

  • Book or attend one-to-one therapy sessions.

  • Participate in live workshops, breathwork sessions or online events.

03. What Information We Collect

Website Visitors, Newsletter Subscribers and Digital Products

If you visit our website, subscribe to our newsletter, download a resource or purchase a self-guided digital product, we may collect:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Information voluntarily provided through contact forms

  • Messages you send to us

  • Payment information (processed securely by our payment providers)

  • Technical information such as your IP address, browser type and device information

  • Website usage information where applicable

We collect only the information necessary to provide the service you have requested.

Therapy Clients, Workshop Participants and Event Attendees

If you book one-to-one therapy, attend a live workshop or participate in an event, we may collect additional information that is necessary to deliver our services safely, responsibly and in accordance with our professional and legal obligations.

Depending on the nature of the service, this may include:

  • Contact details

  • Health and wellbeing information that you choose to provide

  • Completed intake or consultation questionnaires

  • Appointment history

  • Session notes

  • Emergency contact information, where appropriate

Some of this information may constitute special category personal data under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), as it relates to your health or wellbeing.

We collect only the information that is reasonably necessary to provide the services you have requested. Your information is handled confidentially, stored securely, and retained only for as long as necessary to meet our professional, legal and insurance obligations.

04. How We Collect Information

We may collect information when you:

  • Visit our website.

  • Complete a contact or booking form.

  • Subscribe to our newsletter.

  • Purchase a digital product or online class.

  • Book a therapy session.

  • Complete intake or consultation forms.

  • Participate in therapy sessions, workshops or events.

  • Contact us by email or other agreed methods.

  • Use cookies or similar technologies while browsing our website.

05. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:

Consent

For email subscriptions and any non-essential cookies where consent is required.

Contractual Necessity

Where information is required to provide services you have requested, including therapy sessions, workshops, digital products or events.

Legitimate Interests

To operate, maintain and improve our website, communications and services.

Legal Obligations

Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable legal, professional or regulatory requirements.

You may withdraw consent at any time where consent is the lawful basis for processing.

Where we process health or wellbeing information, we do so only where this is necessary to provide therapeutic services or to meet our legal, professional or insurance obligations, and in accordance with applicable UK data protection law.

06. Email Communications

If you subscribe to receive newsletters or updates, your information will be processed through our email communication provider.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link included in every email.

07. Confidentiality

Information shared during therapy sessions is treated confidentially and handled with care.

There are, however, limited circumstances in which confidentiality may need to be breached, including where required by law or where there are serious safeguarding concerns involving yourself or others.

Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you before any information is shared.

Further information regarding confidentiality is provided within the Client Agreement.

08. Third-Party Service Providers

We use trusted third-party providers to help us operate our website, deliver services and communicate with clients.

These providers may include:

  • Squarespace – website hosting, contact forms and website management.

  • Acuity Scheduling – appointment booking, scheduling and client communications.

  • Zoom – online therapy sessions, workshops and events.

  • Mailchimp – email newsletters and subscriber communications.

  • PayPal – secure online payment processing.

Some of these providers may process personal data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.

09. International Transfers

Some service providers operate internationally. Your information may therefore be processed outside the United Kingdom.

Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are used in accordance with UK GDPR to help protect your personal information.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary.

Typical retention periods include:

  • Newsletter subscriptions — until you unsubscribe.

  • General enquiries — typically up to 12 months.

  • Therapy records — retained only for as long as necessary to meet professional, legal and insurance obligations.

  • Workshop and event records — where required for operational or legal purposes.

Retention periods may be extended where required by law.

11. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information.

  • Request correction of inaccurate information.

  • Request erasure where appropriate.

  • Restrict or object to certain processing.

  • Withdraw consent where consent has been relied upon.

  • Request transfer of your information where applicable.

If you have concerns about how your information has been handled, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve any concerns directly.

12. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information.

However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Cookies

13. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.

They help websites function correctly and may also help improve your browsing experience.

Cookies may include:

  • Essential cookies necessary for website functionality.

  • Functional cookies that improve your experience.

  • Analytics cookies, if implemented in the future.

14. Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the operation of the website and cannot be disabled through our website.

Functional Cookies

Where applicable, these cookies help improve website functionality and user experience.

If analytics cookies are introduced in the future, visitors will be able to accept or decline them through our cookie banner in accordance with UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

15. Managing Cookies

When you first visit our website, you may be presented with a cookie banner allowing you to manage non-essential cookies.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.

Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy & Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation or our services.

The most recent version will always be available on this website together with the revision date.

© 2026 Cat Paterson. All rights reserved.