Privacy Policy

Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities

Our Commitment to You

At MyCounsellor Online, we understand that seeking mental wellness support requires courage and trust. We are deeply committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share information when you use our services. By using MyCounsellor Online, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

Information We Collect

1. Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Name, email address, age, and preferred language (optional for anonymous chat)
  • Communication Data: Messages, chat transcripts, and session notes from your conversations with counselors
  • Payment Information: Billing details processed securely through our payment partners
  • Health Information: Mental wellness concerns, symptoms, and treatment preferences you choose to share

2. Information Collected Automatically

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on platform, and interaction patterns
  • Cookies: Session cookies for functionality and analytics (you can manage these in browser settings)

3. Anonymous Usage

If you choose to use our chat service anonymously, we only collect minimal technical data required for the service to function. You are not required to provide any personally identifiable information.

How We Use Your Information

Provide Counseling Services: Connect you with qualified counselors and maintain session records

Improve Service Quality: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience and counseling effectiveness

Communication: Send appointment reminders, follow-ups, and service updates (you can opt out)

Safety and Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and ensure platform security

Legal Compliance: Meet legal and regulatory requirements related to healthcare services

When We Share Your Information

Important: We never sell your personal information to third parties. Your counseling sessions remain confidential.

With Your Consent

We only share your information with parents, schools, or other parties when you explicitly provide written consent.

With Service Providers

Trusted partners who help us operate the platform (payment processors, hosting services, analytics) under strict confidentiality agreements.

Legal Requirements & Safety

We are legally required to disclose information in these situations:

  • Imminent risk of harm to yourself or others
  • Suspected child abuse or neglect
  • Court orders or legal proceedings
  • Compliance with applicable laws and regulations

How We Protect Your Data

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

Encryption

End-to-end encryption for all chat communications and SSL/TLS for data transmission

Secure Storage

Data stored on secure servers with restricted access and regular backups

Access Controls

Limited staff access on need-to-know basis with two-factor authentication

Regular Audits

Periodic security assessments and updates to protect against threats

Your Privacy Rights

Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information

Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data (subject to legal retention requirements)

Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]

Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations:

  • Session Records: Retained for 7 years as required by healthcare regulations
  • Account Information: Kept while your account is active, plus 30 days after closure
  • Anonymous Chat Data: Deleted within 90 days unless you create an account
  • Technical Logs: Stored for 12 months for security and troubleshooting purposes

Privacy for Students Under 18

We take special care to protect the privacy of students aged 13-17:

Students can access counseling services anonymously without parental consent

We comply with applicable laws regarding minors' healthcare privacy rights

Parents/guardians are only contacted in emergency situations as required by law

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

Essential Cookies

Required for platform functionality (login sessions, security, chat features)

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how users interact with our platform (you can opt out)

Preference Cookies

Remember your language preferences and display settings

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes:

We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

We'll notify you via email or prominent notice on our platform

Continued use after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy

Questions About Your Privacy?

We're here to help. Contact our privacy team anytime.

Live Chat

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