Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 3 January 2026

This privacy policy explains how Elaine Baptista Counselling & Psychotherapy ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Data Controller

Name: Elaine Baptista

Email: info@ebcounselling.ie

Phone: +353 85 219 8278

Address: McHugh House, 82 Grand Parade, Cork City, T12 VXP9

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Contact Form: Name, email address, phone number (optional), and message content
  • Email Communications: Email address and message content when you contact us directly
  • Phone Communications: Phone number and call details when you contact us by phone

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Note: Website analytics are currently disabled. We do not track visitor behavior or collect usage data at this time. This may be enabled in the future with appropriate cookie consent.

If analytics are enabled in the future, we may collect:

  • Analytics Data: IP address (anonymized), browser type, device information, pages visited, time spent on pages, and interaction data
  • Technical Data: Browser version, operating system, screen resolution, referral source
  • Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address (country/city level only)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

  • Service Communication: To respond to your inquiries and arrange consultations
  • Website Analytics: To understand how visitors use our website and improve user experience
  • Security & Fraud Prevention: To protect our website and services from abuse
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and regulations

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

  • Consent: When you submit a contact form or contact us directly (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR)
  • Legitimate Interests: For analytics and website improvement (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR)
  • Legal Obligation: When required by law (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR)

5. Third-Party Services

Google Maps (Maps)

We use Google Maps Embed API to display our location. When you view the map, Google may collect technical data such as your IP address and browser information. Learn more at Google Privacy Policy.

Vercel (Hosting)

Our website is hosted on Vercel. Vercel may collect server logs and technical data for security and performance. Learn more at Vercel Privacy Policy.

6. Data Retention

  • Contact Form Data: Retained for 12 months after last contact, or until you request deletion
  • Analytics Data: Retained for 12 months, then automatically deleted
  • Email Communications: Retained for the duration of our correspondence plus 6 months

7. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data
  • Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of data processing
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time (does not affect prior processing)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@ebcounselling.ie. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Cookies and Tracking

Current Status: We only use essential browser storage for website functionality. No tracking or analytics cookies are currently in use.

What We Currently Use

  • LocalStorage (Essential): Stores your theme preference (light/dark mode). This is not a cookie and does not require consent as it is essential for functionality.

If Analytics Are Enabled in the Future

If we enable analytics tracking in the future, we will add a cookie consent banner and you will have the option to accept or decline analytics cookies. Essential functionality cookies will always be enabled.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your data:

  • HTTPS encryption for all website communications
  • Secure hosting infrastructure (Vercel)
  • Regular security updates and monitoring
  • Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular data backups and disaster recovery procedures

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) by our third-party service providers. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are under 18, please do not submit any personal information through our website.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (Ireland):

Data Protection Commission

21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28, Ireland

Phone: +353 (0)761 104 800

Website: www.dataprotection.ie

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

Email: info@ebcounselling.ie

Phone: +353 85 219 8278

Address: McHugh House, 82 Grand Parade, Cork City, T12 VXP9