GDPR Compliance Guide for Counselors, Coaches, and Health Practitioners
GDPR isn't just for tech giants. If you run a therapy practice, coaching business, or health consultancy in the UK or EU, you are a "data controller" and must comply.
The Core Principles
GDPR rests on seven principles: Lawfulness, Purpose Limitation, Data Minimization, Accuracy, Storage Limitation, Integrity/Confidentiality, and Accountability.
Quick Compliance Checklist
- ☐ Do you have a clear Privacy Policy?
- ☐ Are you collecting only necessary data?
- ☐ Is your data encrypted at rest and in transit?
- ☐ Do you have a process for data deletion requests?
- ☐ Are third-party processors (hosting, email) GDPR-compliant?
- ☐ Do you have a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with vendors?
Common Pitfalls for Practitioners
- Using Gmail/Outlook: These providers scan emails for advertising. Use Proton Mail instead.
- Cloud Storage: Dropbox and Google Drive are not GDPR-compliant for sensitive health data without strict configurations.
- Website Cookies: Even "necessary" cookies require consent if they track users.
The Role of Sovereign Hosting
Hosting in the EU (like our Finland-based servers) ensures your data remains under EU jurisdiction, simplifying compliance. Non-EU hosting requires Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), which are complex and risky.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission on Proton referrals. We only recommend tools that meet our strict privacy standards.
Conclusion
GDPR compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time checkbox. Start with your hosting and email, then review your data flows annually.