Data Controller

Stef Gogna of Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy

Collected Personal Data 

ICO Registration number: ZB887226

How will my data be processed and stored?

In May 2018, the Data Protection Act was replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy is GDPR registered. The changes to the Data Protection Act are aimed at ensuring your personal, confidential and sometime sensitive data, is held privately and securely. This means that any data you give to Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy must be processed in a way that you agree with. GDPR exists to protect your rights as a client. It applies to your identifiable data, e.g., your Name and address & any reason you might have for visiting Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy. It also covers any session records, text messages or emails between Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy & yourself.

How long will you hold my information for?

Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy is a member of the National College of Hypnotherapy (NCH). As such they are bound by their regulations regarding the length of time they must hold onto your information. The NCH insists that Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy must hold onto your data for 8 years after your final session. However, the rule for children is different and the NCH stipulates that their data must be held until their 25th birthday. The exception to this rule applies to young adults whose treatment ends when they are 17 years old when Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy must keep their records until they reach their 26th birthday. Client records will be destroyed in the January after the dates given above. This is in line with NHS regulations for holding data.

What if I would like my data to be destroyed before this date?

Due to the sensitive nature of what Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy offers, Holistic Insurance advises that deletion of a client's data cannot occur before the minimum term (see above) has expired.

Am I able to see or get a copy of the information held by you?

In line with GDPR, if you send Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy a request in writing, specifying the data you wish to see, they will supply you with a copy of your data within 30 days. Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy will need to confirm your identity before sending you the information. There will be no charge for this service. NB Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy’s insurance company’s legal team may wish to verify any information Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy sends out.

What is your reason for collecting this information?

Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy is keen to offer the highest quality support to their clients and in order to do so they will collect the following information:

• An idea of what you would like to achieve by coming for hypnotherapy

• A small amount of medical information

• Some brief session notes

• Your contact details

• GP contact details

• Some basic information about your important others

This information allows Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy to provide continuity within the sessions, in order to help you towards your goal. This information will allow Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy to refer to the content of earlier sessions and previous discussions. Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy will only use your contact details/address and GP’s details with your explicit consent. See client agreement and initial consultation.

How do I know that Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy will store my information safely?

Session notes – Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy stores all digital information in a password protected online vault.

Text messages – Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy’s phone is secured by biometric protection.

Emails – Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy’s email account requires a username and password to access emails.

Are our discussions within the hypnotherapy sessions confidential?

Everything you discuss with Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy during your sessions remains strictly confidential. Occasionally it may be necessary for Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy to discuss elements of your sessions with their supervisor to ensure that they are helping you in the most effective way. However, no identifying features about you will be disclosed during these discussions. Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy’s supervisor is also registered with the ICO and abides by GDPR requirements.

What if I see Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy outside of a hypnotherapy session?

Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy is obliged by GDPR to protect your confidentiality at all times. So, for this reason, although they may acknowledge you, it would be ideal if any further conversation could be avoided. However, if you wish to discuss your therapy with other people, that is your choice and you are welcome to do so.

Will Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy discuss information about me with other health and social care professionals?

Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy is only able to contact other health and social care professionals with your written consent.

Should they write to your GP, to notify them that you have entered into a therapeutic relationship with them, or to notify them that your therapy has been successfully concluded, Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy would require your signature, in line with GDPR requirements. Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy does have a ‘duty of care’ towards their clients, so the only exceptions to this would be if they believed that you were about to harm yourself or others. Should this occur then Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy would be required to inform the relevant authorities. However, Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy would always aim to discuss this with you before taking any action. Legally, Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy would also have to provide the police with information as set out in a warrant or court order, should the situation arise.

Who is the Data Controller and what is their ICO registration number?

Data Controller is Stef Gogna Hypnotherapy of LS14 2FJ. This policy was last updated on 04/10/2025. It may be updated at any time, so please check back regularly to ensure that you're aware of the latest version. Please note that the cookie policy for www.stefgognahypnotherapy.co.uk is available to view online.