Privacy Policy

Last updated: 23 July 2025

Overview

Cognisance Counselling ("I", "me", or "my") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how I handle your information when you contact me through my website.

Technical and Security Cookies

This website uses a minimal number of cookies that are strictly necessary for its security and operation. To protect the site from malicious activity and ensure the contact form is available for genuine users, security services from Cloudflare may place a temporary cookie on your device. This cookie does not track you, does not store any personal information, and is used solely for security screening purposes. Under UK GDPR, these cookies are considered 'strictly necessary' and do not require prior consent.

Analytics and Tracking

This website does not use any analytics, tracking scripts, or advertising cookies. Your browsing behaviour is not monitored or tracked in any way.

What Information I Collect

When you submit an enquiry through my contact form, I collect:

• Your name
• Email address
• Phone number (if provided)
• Information about what brings you to counselling
• Your preferred session type
• The message you write to me
• Technical information (time of submission, basic browser information for security)

How I Use Your Information

I use your information solely to:

• Respond to your counselling enquiry
• Discuss how I might support you
• Arrange an initial consultation if appropriate
• Send you the information you've requested

Legal Basis for Processing

I process your personal data based on your explicit consent, which you provide when you tick the consent box on the contact form and submit your enquiry.

How I Store Your Data

Your information is stored securely using industry-standard encrypted systems that comply with UK GDPR requirements. Only I have access to this information.

Data Protection and Security

Your personal information is transmitted securely and processed with the highest standards of data protection. No personal data from your enquiry is stored in server logs - only technical security information (such as IP addresses with masked identifiers) is retained for security purposes and automatically deleted after 7 days.

How Long I Keep Your Data

I retain enquiry data for a maximum of 2 years from the date of submission. After this period, your information is permanently deleted. If you become a client, different retention periods apply which will be discussed in our counselling agreement.

Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access - request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification - request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure - request deletion of your data
• Restriction - request limitation of processing
• Portability - request transfer of your data
• Withdraw consent - at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of past processing

Third Parties

I do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties. Your data is only processed by:

• Secure cloud storage and email providers (for data storage and communication)
• Security services (Cloudflare) for website protection - processes only technical data, not personal information

Contact Me

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact me using the details provided on my main website or via the contact form.

Complaints

If you're not satisfied with how I handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk

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