PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when you book or participate in services provided by SOUL-SEARCHING.

DATA CONTROLLER

The data controller responsible for processing your personal data is:

Stefanie Balmerth (SOUL-SEARCHING)
Email: stefaniebalmerth@gmail.com
Phone: +356 9934 0849

WHAT PERSONAL DATA IS COLLECTED AND WHY

The following personal data may be collected for professional, therapeutic, and safety purposes:

Name and age: To identify you and tailor sessions appropriately.
Address, email address, and phone number: To manage bookings, appointments, and communication. You will usually be contacted via the method you first used.
Emergency contact and/or medical professional details: In rare circumstances where there is serious concern for your safety or wellbeing.
Session notes: Brief notes are kept for professional, ethical, and therapeutic continuity. These do not contain unnecessary personal details.

No personal data is collected for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

HOW YOUR DATA IS USED

Your personal data is used solely for:

providing professional therapeutic and wellness services,
managing appointments and communication,
ensuring client safety,
meeting ethical, legal, and insurance obligations.

Your data is never sold or shared for commercial purposes.

LEGAL BASIS FOR DATA PROCESSING

Personal data is processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following legal bases:

Article 6(1)(a) - your explicit consent
Article 6(1)(f) - legitimate interest in providing professional therapeutic services and maintaining appropriate records

Where special category data (such as health-related information) is processed, this is done in accordance with Article 9(2)(a), based on your explicit consent.

DATA SHARING & DISCLOSURE

Your data will remain confidential and will only be disclosed in the following limited circumstances:

where you have given your explicit consent;
where disclosure is required by law, court order, or regulatory authority;
where there is a reasonable belief of serious risk of harm to you or another person;
where disclosure is necessary to protect a vulnerable person (including a child or elder);
in professional supervision, where only your first name is used and identifying details are omitted.

Except in these circumstances, no personal data will be shared with third parties.

HOW YOUR DATA IS STORED & PROTECTED

Appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place to protect your data:

paper records are stored in a locked filing cabinet;
digital records are password-protected and stored securely;
electronic records use initials only where possible;
phone numbers may be stored on a business mobile using first name and last initial only;
only the practitioner has access to your personal data.

DATA RETENTION

Personal data and session notes are retained for 7 years, in line with professional indemnity insurance requirements. After this period, all records are securely destroyed, and contact details are deleted.

RECORDINGS

Sessions may be recorded only with your prior knowledge and explicit consent. You are under no obligation to consent to recordings, and refusal will not affect the provision of services.

Any recordings provided are for personal use only and must not be shared, reproduced, or distributed.

YOUR RIGHTS

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the right to:

access your personal data;
request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
request deletion of your data (where legally permissible);
restrict or object to certain types of processing;
withdraw your consent at any time (without affecting processing carried out prior to withdrawal);
lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection supervisory authority if you believe your data has been processed unlawfully.

Requests can be made by contacting the data controller using the details above.

UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will apply prospectively only and will be published on this website. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact:

Stefanie Balmerth (SOUL-SEARCHING)
Email: stefaniebalmerth@gmail.com
Phone: +356 9934 0849

Last updated: January 2026