We understand the importance of confidentiality across everything and prioritize your privacy. We will never share or sell your personal information for any reason without your explicit say-so.

At As You Are Counselling, both your privacy and your confidence in us are paramount. We employ only tools, practices, and procedures which protect your identifiable information.

In order to function effectively and conveniently, we do use tools and platforms which collect your contact details, personal information, billing and payment information, as well as log data pertaining to your computer.

This document is our Privacy Policy. it contains details on issues related to your privacy when using our services. It is intended to inform you of our policies, procedures and practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of any information you provide to As You Are Counselling.

Other than in the limited ways detailed in this Privacy Policy, we will never use or disclose any of your information unless you specifically and explicitly requested or approved us to do so.

Your information is necessary and may be used for the following purposes:

• To contact you or provide you with information, alerts, and suggestions related to the service.
• For billing-related purposes.
• To reach out to you, either ourselves or using the appropriate authorities, if either we have good reason to believe you or any other person may be in danger or involved in a criminal act.
• To match you with a counsellor.
• To enable and facilitate counsellor services.
• To supervise, administer, and monitor the service.
• To measure and improve the quality, effectiveness, and delivery of our services.
• To respond to law enforcement requests, court order, or governmental regulations, as is required by applicable laws.
• To comply with applicable laws, including, but not limited to those related to protecting your health and safety as well as that of the public.
• To provide, support, personalize, and develop our counselling services.
• To personalize your web experience and deliver content and service offerings relevant to your interests, including targeted offers and ads through our Websites, third-party sites, and via email or text message (with your consent, where required by law).

Opting Out of Marketing Communication

You can opt out of receiving email marketing by unsubscribing using the unsubscribe link provided in all of our marketing email communications.

Cookies and Web Beacons

Like many websites, we use “cookies” and “web beacons” to collect information. A “cookie” is a small data file which is transferred to your computer for record-keeping purposes. A “web beacon” is a tiny image, placed on a web page or email which can report on your use. You can change your browser’s settings to block cookies or to prompt you before accepting a cookie. We may also use third party cookies for the purposes of web analytics, attribution, and error management.

Social and General Information Tools

We use several publicly-available tools and information exchange resources, such as (but not limited to) a blog, a Facebook page, an Instagram account, a TikTok account, a LinkedIn account, and others (collectively “Social and General Information Tools”). Any information you provide or share while using Social and General Information Tools may be read, accessed, and collected by that site and its users in accordance with their own privacy policy.

Phishing

Online identity theft and account hacking, including the practice currently known as “phishing”, are of great concern. You should always be diligent when being asked for your account information, and know that we will never request your login information or your credit card information in any non-secure or unsolicited communication.

Links

Our website may contain links to other websites, services, or offers which are owned, operated, or maintained by third parties. The fact of a link to a website or service is not an endorsement, authorization, or representation of our affiliation with that third party, nor is it an endorsement of their privacy or information security policies or practices. We do not have control over third party websites and services nor their privacy policies and terms of use.

Security

While using any Internet-based service carries inherent security risks, our systems, infrastructure, encryption technology, operation, and processes are all designed, built, and maintained with your security and privacy as a priority. We apply industry standards and best practices to prevent any unauthorized access, use, and disclosure and comply with or exceed all applicable laws and regulations regarding data privacy.

Service Providers

We may employ third party companies and individuals to perform certain tasks which are related to our services or to provide audit, legal, operational, or other services for us. These tasks include, but not limited to: customer service, technical maintenance, monitoring, email management and communication, database management, billing and payment processing, reporting, and analytics. We will share with them only the minimum necessary information relative to their function, and only after entering into appropriate confidentiality agreements.

Compliance with Laws and Law Enforcement

We cooperate with government and law enforcement officials to enforce and comply with the law. We may disclose information necessary or appropriate to protect the safety of the public or any person, to respond to claims and legal process (including but not limited to subpoenas), and to prevent or stop activity that may be illegal or dangerous. You should also be aware that counsellors may be obliged to disclose information to law enforcement or other authorities to abide by their professional and legal responsibilities. Specifically, and without limitation, you should be aware the law requires mental health professionals to disclose information and/or take action in the following cases: (a) reported or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult; (b) serious suicidal potential; (c) threatened harm to another person; (d) court-ordered presentation of treatment.

Changes to the Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy statement at our sole discretion. The date of the last revision of this policy appears at the end of this page. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our Privacy Policy and practices.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this, or the ways in which As You Are Counselling collects and uses your information described above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Last Updated and Effective: January 2, 2024