Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Mark Ellis Counselling ("we", "our", or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on markelliscounselling.com (the "Website"). This policy is designed to comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide reporting information to site operators.

3. How We Use Cookies on Squarespace

Our website is hosted on the Squarespace platform. Squarespace uses first-party and essential cookies to ensure the website functions securely and correctly. Depending on your consent settings, we may also use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with the site.

Cookies used on this site fall into the following categories:

A. Necessary (Essential) Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to operate, load securely, and provide core functionality. They do not require your prior consent under UK law.

  • Cookie Name: crumb

    • Purpose: Prevents cross-site request forgery (CSRF) to secure website forms and navigation.

    • Duration: Session (expires when you close your browser).

    • Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (ensuring website security and integrity).

  • Cookie Name: squarespace-test-cookie

    • Purpose: Checks if your browser supports cookies to ensure proper technical rendering.

    • Duration: Session.

    • Legal Basis: Legitimate interests.

B. Analytics & Performance Cookies

With your consent, we use Squarespace Performance Analytics cookies to collect anonymised data on how visitors navigate our pages (e.g., which pages are visited most often). This helps us improve the site's layout and content.

  • Cookie Names: ss_cid, ss_cvr, ss_cvisit, ss_cvt, ss_cookieAllowed

    • Purpose: Identifies unique visitors, tracks session duration, tracks page views, and remembers whether you have accepted or declined non-essential cookies via our consent banner.

    • Duration: Ranges from 30 minutes to 2 years.

    • Legal Basis: Explicit consent (gathered via our cookie consent banner).

4. Third-Party Disclosures

We do not use advertising or social media marketing tracking pixels (such as Meta/Facebook pixels). However, our website platform (Squarespace) operates as our primary service processor. You can review Squarespace’s platform-wide privacy and cookie disclosures via the Squarespace Cookie Policy.

5. Managing or Withdrawing Your Consent

You can change or withdraw your cookie consent at any time:

  • Via Our Website: You can reopen our cookie preference banner or click the "Cookie Preferences" link located in the website footer to adjust or revoke your consent.

  • Via Your Browser: You can configure your web browser settings to block or delete cookies entirely. Note that blocking necessary cookies may impact the technical functionality of the website.

6. Your Data Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have legal rights regarding your personal data collected via cookies, including the right to access, correct, or delete information. See our Privacy Policy below for full details on how to exercise these rights.

7. Contact & Identity

The data controller responsible for this website is Mark Ellis. If you have any questions regarding our use of cookies, please contact us via our website contact page or refer to our practice details in the Privacy Policy.