Privacy Policy

Birth Story Alchemy
Last updated: 27 June 2026

Who I am

I am Ella Hudson, a cognitive hypnotherapist and postpartum care provider based in London, operating as a sole trader. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), registration number ZC161812.

You can contact me at ella@birthstoryalchemy.com

What information I collect and why

A)When you book an appointment

When you book an appointment, I collect:

  • your name, email address, and phone number

  • your responses to intake form questions, which may include health information relevant to assessing suitability, managing your appointment, and providing my services safely and appropriately

Lawful basis:

  • For contact and appointment information, my legitimate interests in administering my practice and taking steps at your request before entering into a contract for services.

  • For health and other special category information, your explicit consent, which I obtain through my intake process before we begin working together.

B) During our work together

I keep session notes relating to our work together in order to provide a safe, consistent, and appropriate service. These may include:

  • information about your physical and mental health

  • details about your personal circumstances that you choose to share with me

  • notes on the approaches we use and relevant themes arising during our sessions

Lawful basis:

  • My legitimate interests in maintaining appropriate records in connection with my practice, and where relevant, the performance of our contract for services.
    Where these notes include health or other special category information, I rely on your explicit consent.

C) When you contact me directly

  • If you email, call, or message me with an enquiry, I retain that correspondence in order to respond to you and, if we go on to work together, to add relevant information to your client record.

Lawful basis:

  • My legitimate interests in responding to enquiries and administering my practice.

Special category data

Health information is classed as special category data under UK GDPR and receives additional legal protection. I collect this only where it is relevant to my services and where I have a lawful basis to do so, including your explicit consent where required. I handle this information with strict confidentiality.

As a cognitive hypnotherapist and postpartum care provider, some of the information you share with me may be sensitive in nature. You should only share what you feel comfortable sharing, and you are welcome to ask questions at any time about how I handle your data.

Who I share your data with

I do not sell your personal data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes.

I may use trusted third-party service providers to help me operate my website and deliver my services. These providers process data on my behalf and are required to do so securely and lawfully.

At present, this includes:

Where personal data is processed outside the UK, I rely on appropriate safeguards under UK data protection law.

I may also share information where I am legally required to do so, for example if ordered by a court, or where I have a safeguarding concern that requires me to break confidentiality. I will try to inform you if this happens unless doing so would put you or someone else at risk.

How long I keep your data

  • Adult client records – 7 years from the date of last contact

  • Records relating to children – until the child turns 25, or 8 years from last contact if longer

  • Enquiry correspondence where no appointment was made – 12 months

After these periods, records are securely deleted.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • access the personal data I hold about you

  • request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

  • request erasure of your data, subject to any legal or professional obligations to retain certain records

  • restrict or object to how I process your data

  • withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal

  • request a copy of your data in a commonly used format, where applicable

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at ella@birthstoryalchemy.com. I will usually respond within one month.

If you are unhappy with how I have handled your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

Cookies and website data

I do not currently use tracking cookies or third-party analytics on this website.

Changes to this policy

I review this policy periodically and may update it from time to time as my practice evolves. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last updated. If I make material changes, I will update this page and, where appropriate, notify current clients directly.

This policy was last reviewed in June 2026