Cookie Policy

What's a cookie?

A "cookie" is a piece of information that is stored on your computer's hard drive if you agree to this and which records how you move your way around a website so that, when you revisit that website, it can present tailored options based on the information stored about your last visit. Cookies can also be used to analyse traffic and for advertising and marketing purposes.

Cookies are used by nearly all websites and do not harm your system.

We are required to obtain your consent for all non-essential cookies used on our website. You can block cookies (including essential cookies) at any time by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block essential cookies you may not be able to access all or parts of our site.

How do we use cookies?

We use cookies to track your use of our website. This enables us to understand how you use the site and track any patterns with regards to how you are using our website. This helps us to develop and improve our website as well as products and services in response to what you might need or want.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are either:

Session cookies: These are only stored on your computer during your web session and are automatically deleted when you close your browser. They usually store an anonymous session ID allowing you to browse a website without having to log in to each page but they do not collect any personal data from your computer.

Persistent cookies: A persistent cookie is stored as a file on your computer and it remains there when you close your web browser. The cookie can be read by the website that created it when you visit that website again. We use persistent cookies for analytics and performance tracking.

Cookie Categories

Cookies can also be categorised as follows:

Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential to enable you to use the website effectively, such as when booking an appointment. Without these cookies, the services available to you on our website cannot be provided. These cookies do not gather information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you have been on the internet.

Performance cookies: These cookies enable us to monitor and improve the performance of our website. For example, they allow us to count visits, identify traffic sources and see which parts of the site are most popular.

Functionality cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features. For instance, we may be able to provide you with news or updates relevant to the services you use. They may also be used to provide services you have requested. The information these cookies collect is usually anonymised.

Targeting cookies: These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make our website and any advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests.

First and third party cookies: First party cookies are cookies set by our website. Third party cookies are cookies on our website that are set by a website other than our website.

We use both first party and third party cookies on this website.

Cookies We Use

Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are required to enable core site functionality and to remember user preferences and choices, such as language preferences or customized settings.

Squarespace Session Cookies

  • Purpose: Essential for site functionality, remembering form inputs during booking process

  • Duration: Session (deleted when browser closes)

Squarespace Security Cookies

  • Purpose: CSRF protection and site security

  • Duration: Session (deleted when browser closes)

Acuity Scheduling Cookies

  • Purpose: Enable booking system functionality, remember booking selections

  • Duration: Session to 1 year

Performance and Analytics Cookies (Require Consent)

These cookies provide quantitative measures of website visitors. With the usage of these cookies we are able to count visits and traffic sources to improve the performance of our site.

Google Analytics (_ga)

  • Purpose: Distinguishes unique users and collects anonymous information about how visitors use our website

  • Duration: 2 years

Google Analytics (_gid)

  • Purpose: Distinguishes users and stores information about how visitors use the website

  • Duration: 24 hours

Google Analytics (_gat)

  • Purpose: Used to throttle request rate (limit the collection of data on high traffic sites)

  • Duration: 1 minute

Squarespace Analytics

  • Purpose: Track site performance and visitor behaviour

  • Duration: Up to 2 years

Third-Party Cookies

Stripe Cookies

  • Set by: Stripe (payment processor)

  • Purpose: Process payments securely when booking appointments

  • Duration: Session to 1 year

Google Analytics Cookies

  • Set by: Google

  • Purpose: Website analytics and performance tracking

  • Duration: Up to 2 years

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

On Our Website:

You can alter your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the cookie banner that appears when you first visit our site, or by clicking the cookie settings icon at the bottom of any page.

You can choose to:

  • Accept all cookies

  • Accept only necessary cookies

  • Customize which cookie categories you accept

Please refresh your page after changing settings to ensure the new preferences have taken effect.

Through Your Browser:

You can also control cookie settings through your web browser. Most browsers allow you to:

  • See what cookies you have and delete them individually

  • Block third party cookies

  • Block cookies from specific sites

  • Block all cookies

  • Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Please note that if you choose to block all cookies, you may not be able to use all features of our website, including the booking system.

Opt Out of Google Analytics:

You can opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites by visiting: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Cookie Expiry

Except for essential cookies which are necessary for site functionality:

  • Session cookies expire when you close your browser

  • Performance cookies expire after 24 hours to 2 years depending on the specific cookie

  • You can delete cookies at any time through your browser settings

Questions?

If you have any questions about the cookies that we use, feel free to email us at hello@katcuthbertpsychotherapy.com

Last Updated: November 2025