Effective Date: 21st May 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to Gerry Costello Counselling. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data.
This Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard personal information when you visit my website and is separate from our privacy policy.
Data Controller:
Gerry Costello Counselling acts as the Data Controller for the personal data collected through this website, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679) (“GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018 of Ireland.
2. Information We Collect
We collect and process personal data in the following ways:
(a) Information You Provide Voluntarily
- Name, email address, and phone number (e.g., via contact forms or event sign-ups)
- Information shared when subscribing to newsletters or requesting services
- Any other details you choose to provide when engaging with us online
(b) Information Collected Automatically
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and third-party analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand visitor traffic and website performance.
- Log Data: Includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, referral URLs, and pages visited.
3. How we Use Your Information
We process your personal data for the following purposes:
- Responding to your inquiries or requests
- Managing contact form submissions and service-related communication
- Sending newsletters or updates (only with your consent)
- Improving website performance and user experience through analytics
- Complying with applicable laws and regulations
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Our lawful bases under GDPR include:
- Consent: When you subscribe to a mailing list or agree to cookie use
- Contractual Necessity: When processing is needed to deliver my services
- Legal Obligation: Where we must comply with legal requirements
- Legitimate Interests: For website analytics, improvement, and communication (balancing your rights with our business interests)
5. Data Sharing and Third Parties
We do not sell or trade your personal data. However, we may share it with trusted service providers who help operate our website and communications, including:
- Website Hosting Provider
- Email Communication Tools
- Analytics Provider (Google Analytics)
- All third-party processors are bound by data protection agreements and must comply with GDPR standards.
Personal data may also be disclosed if required by law or for the protection of our legal rights.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for its intended purpose or legal obligations.
- Contact Form Submissions: If it is determined that we will not proceed with therapy, then the submission form will be destroyed at that time. If we agree to proceed, the submission form will be retained for 7 years
- Newsletter Subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
- Analytics Data (via Google Analytics): Retained according to Google’s standard anonymised retention policy
After these periods, data is securely deleted or anonymised.
7. Your Rights Under GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete details
- Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request data deletion, where legally permissible
- Restriction: Limit processing under certain circumstances
- Portability: Obtain your data in a machine-readable format
- Objection: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time
To exercise your rights, contact us through: https://www.gerrycostello.ie/contact/
If you believe your rights have been violated, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) at www.dataprotection.ie.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to improve website functionality and analyse traffic via Google Analytics.
Cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our site, enabling improvements in content and performance. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
For more information about Google’s data practices, see https://policies.google.com/privacy.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
Our website uses secure HTTPS encryption, and your data is stored on GDPR-compliant servers. While we take these steps seriously, no online transmission is completely secure, so we encourage caution when sharing personal information.
10. Children’s Data
Our website and services are not directed at individuals under 18 years old, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy periodically. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage visitors to review this policy occasionally to stay informed.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy & Cookie Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:
Gerry Costello Counselling, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.
Message us at: https://www.gerrycostello.ie/contact/