Last updated: August 16, 2025
Silva Psychotherapy provides counselling and psychotherapy to clients in the United Kingdom and worldwide through secure online therapy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you contact us, visit our website, or attend therapy sessions.
1. Who We Are
Silva Psychotherapy is run by Milagros Silva, an accredited psychotherapist and counsellor, offering online and in-person therapy.
Email: hello@silvapsychotherapy.com
Website: https://silvapsychotherapy.com
2. What Information We Collect
We may collect the following information:
- Contact details – name, email, phone number, and address.
- Therapy records – assessment forms, session notes, treatment plans.
- GP details – name and contact information of your GP, if provided in contracts.
- Insurance details – insurance provider name, membership number, and claim details, where relevant.
- Administrative details – invoices, payments, contracts.
- Technical data – IP address, browser type, and site usage data when you visit our website.
3. Why We Collect This Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide safe and effective counselling and psychotherapy.
- Contact you regarding appointments, therapy sessions, and mental health support.
- Manage insurance claims where applicable.
- Maintain professional records in line with legal and ethical requirements.
- Improve our website and services.
4. Confidentiality and Legal Exceptions
Information shared in therapy is confidential. However, we may need to share information if:
- There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others.
- We are legally required (for example, safeguarding concerns or a court order).
Where possible, we will discuss this with you first.
5. How We Store and Transfer Your Information
- Therapy notes are stored securely and separately from identifying details.
- Contracts (including GP and insurance details) are kept in encrypted or password-protected files.
- Emails, invoices, and messages are stored in GDPR-compliant systems.
- Online therapy is provided through secure, encrypted video platforms.
- International clients: If you access our services from outside the UK, your information will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR standards. Data may be securely transferred across borders only as required to provide therapy services.
6. How Long We Keep Your Data
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
- Adult client records are kept for 7 years after therapy ends.
- Records for clients under 18 are kept until age 25 (or 26 if aged 17 when therapy ended).
- After this, records are securely destroyed.
7. Your Rights
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access your information.
- Ask us to correct inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of data (where legally possible).
- Restrict or object to certain uses of your data.
To exercise these rights, contact: hello@silvapsychotherapy.com
8. Cookies and Website Use
Our website uses cookies to support functionality and basic analytics. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work properly.
9. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.
For more details on how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.