Privacy Policy

Website: www.changecounselling.ie
Data Controller: Change Counselling
Contact Email: info@changecounselling.ie

1. Introduction

Change Counselling is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal data in accordance with:

The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)

The Data Protection Acts 1988–2018 (Ireland)

We are the Data Controller of personal data collected through this website.

2. What Information We Collect

  • A. Information You Provide Directly
    Name
    Email address
    Phone number

    Information submitted through the contact form
    Information provided when enquiring about services
    If you become a client, additional clinical information will be collected under a separate Client Privacy Notice provided at the start of therapy.

  • B. Technical Data+
    IP address
    Browser type and version
    Time zone setting
    Pages visited
    Website usage data
    This information is collected via cookies and analytics tools.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

  • Consent – when you submit a contact form or opt in to communications
  • Legitimate Interests – to respond to enquiries and operate our services
  • Contractual Necessity – where services are provided
  • Legal Obligation – where required by Irish law
  • Where sensitive personal data (such as health information) is processed, this is done under GDPR Article 9(2)(h) for the provision of health or social care services.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

  • Respond to enquiries
  • Provide counselling services
  • Manage appointments
  • Process payments
  • Improve website functionality
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
  • We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data to third parties.

5. Data Sharing

  • Your personal data may be shared only where necessary with:
  • IT and website service providers
  • Secure online therapy platforms
  • Professional advisors (e.g., accountant, legal advisor)
  • Regulatory or legal authorities where required
  • All third-party providers are required to process data securely and in accordance with GDPR.
  • Confidential clinical information is never shared with employers without explicit written consent, except where legally required.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary:

Enquiry data: up to 12 months

Client clinical records: in accordance with professional and insurance guidelines (typically 7 years after last session, or longer where required)

 

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including:

  • Secure email systems
  • Encrypted online platforms
  • Password-protected devices
  • Restricted data access
  • While we take all reasonable precautions, no online transmission can be guaranteed to be fully secure.

 

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request erasure (where applicable)
  • Restrict or object to processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • To exercise your rights, contact: info@changecounselling.ie
  • You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (www.dataprotection.ie ).

9. International Transfers

Where service providers are located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will always be available on this website.

Cookies Policy

Effective Date: 2026


1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly and provide information to the website owner.


2. Types of Cookies We Use estrictly Necessary Cookies

  • These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off.
  • Analytics Cookies
  • We may use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our website, including:
  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • General geographic location
  • This data is anonymised where possible.
  • Functional Cookies
  • These enable enhanced website features and functionality.


3. Legal Basis for Cookies

  • Under the ePrivacy Regulations and GDPR:
  • Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent.
  • Analytics and non-essential cookies require your consent before being placed on your device.
  • You can manage cookie preferences via our cookie banner when you first visit the website.


4. Managing Cookies

You can:

  • Adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies
  • Delete cookies already stored
  • Withdraw consent at any time via the cookie settings tool on our website
  • Please note that disabling some cookies may affect website functionality.


5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies may be placed by third-party services embedded on our website (such as analytics providers). These providers are responsible for their own compliance with data protection laws.


6. Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookies Policy, please contact:

info@changecounselling.ie

 

Begin your transformative journey towards better mental health

Mental Health Change is a growing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that aims to bring a fresh voice to Ireland’s mental health/work sector, by engaging with and empowering employees across different sectors; making a real difference in tackling depression and anxiety in the work place.

Get Started
Find Support