Logo with a stylized side profile of a face and a spiral representing the eye, accompanied by the text "EYES WIDE CLOSED" and the tagline "Solution Focused Hypnotherapy."

1.Privacy Policy for Eyes Wide Closed Hypnotherapy 

This Privacy Policy explains how Eyes Wide Closed Hypnotherapy collects, uses, stores and protects personal data in connection with hypnotherapy services. It is intended to comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and relevant updates introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. I am committed to handling your personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently, and securely. 

1. Data Controller 

Eyes Wide Closed Hypnotherapy is the data controller responsible for your personal data. The controller details are as follows: 

  • Name: Sharon Lamont 

  • Practice Name: Eyes Wide Closed Hypnotherapy 

  • Business Address: High Street, Over, CB24 5ND 

  • ICO Registration Number: ZB895493 

2. Personal Data Collected 

I may collect and process the following categories of personal data to provide hypnotherapy services safely and effectively: 

  • Identity data, such as your name, date of birth, and gender. 

  • Contact data, such as your phone number, email address, and postal address. 

  • Special category personal data concerning health, including relevant medical history, lifestyle information, wellbeing information, session notes and psychological history where relevant to treatment. 

  • Emergency contact details, such as the name and telephone number of your GP or next of kin, where appropriate. 

  • Administrative data, including appointment history, correspondence and payment-related records required for running the practice. 

3. Purposes of Processing and Lawful Bases 

I process personal data only where I have a lawful basis to do so under Article 6 of the UK GDPR and, where health information is involved, a separate condition for processing under Article 9 of the UK GDPR. 

  • Contract: processing is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract, and to provide the hypnotherapy services you have requested. 

  • Legal obligation: processing may be necessary to comply with legal or regulatory duties, including record-keeping, responding to lawful requests, or safeguarding obligations. 

  • Legitimate interests: where appropriate, processing may be necessary for the legitimate interests of running and protecting the practice, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms. 

  • Consent: where I rely on consent, for example for optional marketing communications, you may withdraw your consent at any time. 

Where I process health information or other special category data, I rely on an additional condition under Article 9 of the UK GDPR, in particular where processing is necessary for the provision of health or social care or treatment and the management of health or social care services, or where processing is necessary to protect vital interests or for safeguarding purposes where permitted by law. 

4. How Your Data Is Used 

Your personal data may be used to assess suitability for hypnotherapy, provide sessions and ongoing support, manage appointments, communicate with you about your care, maintain clinical records, process payments where applicable, and comply with legal, professional and safeguarding responsibilities. 

5. Data Sharing and Confidentiality 

Your data is treated confidentially and is not sold or shared for marketing purposes. It will only be shared where there is a lawful and appropriate reason to do so, such as: 

  • Professional supervision: I may discuss aspects of my work with a professional supervisor. Where possible, information will be anonymised. 

  • Legal or safeguarding reasons: I may disclose information where necessary to protect you or another person from serious harm, to safeguard children or adults at risk, or where I am under a legal obligation to do so. 

  • Service providers: I may use trusted third-party providers for services such as appointment booking, secure communications, online sessions, payment processing, or secure digital storage. These providers will only process your personal data on my instructions and subject to appropriate safeguards. 

6. Data Retention 

I keep client records only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which they were collected and to meet legal, regulatory, insurance, and professional requirements. In general, records are retained for 7 to 8 years after your final session, or until age 25 where the client was a child at the time of treatment, unless a longer retention period is required or justified. 

At the end of the retention period, paper records will be securely destroyed, and electronic records will be securely deleted or anonymised where appropriate. 

7. Security of Your Information 

I use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures may include secure storage of paper records, password protection, device security, encryption where appropriate, restricted access to records, and the use of reputable service providers with suitable security standards. 

8. Your Rights 

Under the UK GDPR, you have rights in relation to your personal data, subject to certain exemptions and limitations. These may include the right to: 

  • be informed about how your data is used; 

  • request access to the personal data I hold about you; 

  • request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information; 

  • request erasure of your personal data in certain circumstances; 

  • request restriction of processing in certain circumstances; 

  • object to processing where applicable; 

  • withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent; and 

  • lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner. 

  • . 

9. Data Protection Complaints 

If you have concerns about how I handle your personal data, please contact me in the first instance using the details above. I will take reasonable steps to facilitate data protection complaints, acknowledge them within the applicable time frame, and respond without undue delay in line with the requirements introduced under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. 

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how your personal data has been handled. 

10. ICO Contact Details 

Information Commissioner's Office 
Website: ico.org.uk 
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 

11. Changes to This Policy 

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the law, regulatory guidance, or the way I operate the practice. The current version will be made available on request or through my usual client information channels. 

2. Confidentiality

All sessions are confidential. Exceptions to confidentiality include:

Where required by a court of law

If there is a risk of harm to yourself or others

In cases of fraud or crime

When minors (under 18) are involved

When a referring healthcare professional or GP requests a report (with your written consent)

If we meet outside of sessions, I will maintain your privacy by not initiating contact.

Information will only be shared with other health and social care professionals with your written consent, except in the circumstances listed above.

3. Session Attendance and Punctuality

Please arrive on time for your scheduled sessions. If you arrive late, the session will finish at the originally scheduled time.

4. Cancellation Policy

Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel. The preferred notice period is 48 hours. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur the full session fee. Notice should be given to Eyes Wide Closed at the earliest opportunity; the therapist may review cases individually.

5. Scheduling and Payment

Session timing and dates will be agreed between Eyes Wide Closed and the client.

Payment is required prior to the session.

The price per session is £80.

6. Number of Sessions

The number of sessions required will be discussed and agreed upon collaboratively, based on your needs and progress. Regular evaluations will be held to assess and determine ongoing therapy.

7. Mutual Respect

Both client and therapist agree to maintain a professional and respectful relationship. Open communication is encouraged to support the therapeutic process. While hypnotherapy is effective for many, success is not guaranteed and depends on your commitment.

Listening to hypnosis tracks between sessions is essential and will be explained during your initial consultation.

8. Face-to-Face and Online Sessions

Online sessions are as effective as face-to-face sessions. You will need a reliable internet connection and a quiet, private space.

9. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Eyes Wide Closed is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, or social origin. All reasonable steps are taken to promote safe practice and protect from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

10. Working with Children

We work with children from 8 years upwards. Children under 16 must not submit personal information or complete the contact form without parental or guardian permission and guidance. The parent or guardian must attend the initial consultation and remain on the premises for subsequent sessions.

The practice is registered with the DBS Updating Service and has completed safeguarding training.

11. Intellectual Property

Any resources provided as part of our work remain the intellectual property of Eyes Wide Closed. They must not be disclosed, reproduced, or distributed without permission.

12. International Clients

Eyes Wide Closed is based in the UK and governed by UK law.

13. Safety and Suitability

Do not listen to hypnosis audios while driving or operating machinery. Only use them in a safe, relaxed environment.

Do not attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs. Inappropriate behaviour will result in session termination.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical advice. For medical concerns, please consult your GP or a relevant healthcare professional.

Hypnotherapy is not suitable for individuals with psychosis or certain personality disorders. Please disclose any such conditions during your initial consultation and seek advice from your GP or consultant.

Disclaimer

Important: Do not use hypnotherapy if you have psychosis or certain types of personality disorder, as it could make your condition worse. Clients agree to disclose this information during the initial consultation and speak with their GP/ Consultant or Health Care provider for further advice.

Please be aware that solution focused hypnotherapy does not serve as a substitute for medical advice. In the event that you need guidance regarding your health, medication, or any related matters, kindly consult your general practitioner (GP) or seek appropriate medical advice.

The services provided by [Sharon Lamont/Eyes Wide Closed] are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site or during a session.

By engaging in hypnotherapy sessions with [Sharon Lamont /Eyes Wide Closed], you acknowledge that you are fully aware of the nature of the therapy and understand the risks involved. You agree to hold harmless and indemnify [Sharon Lamont/Eyes Wide Closed hypnotherapy from any claims arising out of your participation in hypnotherapy sessions

The client agrees to the above, consents to hypnotherapy sessions, and acknowledges their commitment to the sessions. The effectiveness of the therapy is directly correlated to the client’s engagement and participation. The client understands that they will derive benefits proportional to the effort they invest in the sessions.

By booking a session with [Eyes Wide Closed Hypnotherapy], you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the content outlined within this document.