Last updated: 10 June 2026
1. Introduction
The Counselling Journal is a UK‑based blog focused on counselling, mental health awareness, and emotional wellbeing.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with transparency and care.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you visit our website, including how we use Google AdSense.
2. Data We Collect
2.1 Personal Data You Provide Directly
- Contact information — name, email address
- Comments data — information you submit when leaving comments
2.2 Automatically Collected Data
- IP address
- Browser type, device information
- Pages visited, time spent on the site
- Cookies and tracking technologies
2.3 Third‑Party Data (Google AdSense & Others)
Third‑party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites.
Google uses:
- DART cookies for personalised advertising
- Ad personalisation data
- Interest‑based categories
You can opt out of personalised ads at any time (details below).
3. How We Use Your Data
We use your information to:
- Provide and improve our services
- Respond to enquiries
- Send newsletters (only if you opt in)
- Analyse website performance
- Maintain security
- Display Google AdSense advertisements
We do not sell or rent your personal data.
4. Google AdSense & Advertising Cookies
4.1 Google Advertising Cookies
Google uses cookies such as:
- DART cookie
- Analytics cookies
- Ad personalisation cookies
These cookies allow Google and its partners to:
- Serve personalised ads
- Measure ad performance
- Prevent repeated ads
- Understand user interests
4.2 Opting Out of Personalised Ads
You can opt out of Google’s personalised advertising by visiting:
You can also opt out of third‑party vendors’ cookies via:
4.3 Third‑Party Vendors
Other vendors may also use cookies to serve ads based on your browsing behaviour.
Each vendor has its own privacy policy.
5. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)
We process your data under:
- Consent — newsletter sign‑ups, cookies, personalised ads
- Legitimate interests — analytics, site improvement, security
- Legal obligation — compliance with UK law
6. Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Improve website functionality
- Analyse traffic
- Remember preferences
- Serve Google AdSense ads
You can disable cookies in your browser settings.
7. Data Sharing
We may share data with:
- Service providers (e.g., email platforms, analytics tools)
- Google AdSense (for advertising)
- Legal authorities if required
We never share personal data for third‑party marketing.
8. Data Storage & Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data.
Data may be stored on secure servers in the UK or countries with UK GDPR adequacy decisions.
9. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request deletion
- Withdraw consent
- Object to processing
- Request data portability
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below.
10. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16.
If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can delete it.
11. Links to Other Websites
Our blog may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The “Last updated” date will reflect the most recent version.
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