Privacy Notice: Updated 1.10.2025

My privacy policy complies with the Swiss New Federal Act on Data Protection (fNADP) of 1 September 2023 (which builds on the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into effect on 25 May 2018). Whilst coaching is not as regulated as counselling or therapy, I take very seriously the need to protect your personal information and adopting this policy represents my ongoing efforts to be fully transparent about the way in which I collect information, what information I collect and why, and what your rights are in relation to your personal information.

Transparency: In order to undertake my work as a coach,  I hold myself to the same legal and ethical requirements on data collection and storage in regards to the specific subset of your personal information as a federally regulated counsellor would. According to the Code of Ethics of the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB) and the Ethical Framework of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), I am required to keep “adequate records” which are “adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the type of service being provided”. It is these standards that I follow as a British national and a Swiss resident. 

Why do I collect data? The legal basis for processing data: According to the fNADP and the GDPR, I am legally entitled to process (collect and store) this information because we have formed a ‘contract’, i.e. an agreement about how we wish to work together, or because you as a potential client have reached out to me and indicated an interest in potentially entering into a ‘contract’.

What information do I collect? I may collect your name, contact information (postal address, email address and telephone number), your contact/communication preference for receiving information, your date of birth, emergency contact information, and the name and contact details for your doctor/other medical health care professionals as needed. I also keep coaching records (personalised plans and session details) which I am legally and ethically obligated to do. I disclose information to third parties only with your consent or where legally or ethically justified (see my informed consent policy for more information). 

How do I store your data? I use an ISO27001 certified digital storage system. In addition to ISO 27001, the system I use is also certified under ISO 27017 (cloud security) and ISO 27018 (cloud privacy). This software is GDPR compliant. Any physical files that are created as part of your coaching plan (example wall planners etc) will be stored in a physical onsite lock up behind a double locked entry system. All physical case files will be coded to the electronic files, with no . I will store your telephone number on my mobile telephone in case of emergencies – however these details are anonymised and password protected. I delete texts and emails regularly.

How long will I store your data and how will I dispose of it? The legal norm in the psychology profession in Switzerland is to dispose of files after 10 years. As my services are for coaching and not therapy/counselling, I will safely store your files for five years after the end of our contract rather than ten. After this time all electronic data will be permanently deleted and any physical files that were created as part of your coaching plan will be disposed of as confidential waste.

Your control of your personal data:

• All personal information will be held and processed in line with the above or until you withdraw consent.

• You have the right to have your information erased and the ‘right to be forgotten’ under informational self-determination. When considering requests to exercise these rights, please note that they are obligatory unless it is information for which I have a legal duty to retain as expressed above.

• You have the right to request access to any personal information that is held on you under the Freedom of Information Act, 2006. I am legally obligated to respond within 30 days.

• You have the right to have your personal data corrected at any time.