Cookie Policy
Effective date: 2 January 2026
Last updated: 10 June 2026
This policy explains how Mettle Counselling and Psychotherapy uses cookies and similar technologies on mettletherapy.co.uk. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how personal data is handled when you contact or work with us.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. Under the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, cookies that are not strictly necessary require your consent before being placed on your device.
Your consent
When you visit this website for the first time, a banner will appear asking for your cookie preferences. You can choose to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Your preference is saved in your browser and used to configure what data Google Tag Manager may collect.
You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by clearing your browser cookies and local storage, which will cause the banner to reappear on your next visit.
Cookies this site uses
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the secure delivery and operation of the site. Consent is not required under Regulation 6 of PECR.
Infrastructure and security
Set by the hosting infrastructure to enable page loading, routing, and protection against misuse. Technical in nature; contain no personal information.
Admin session (site owner only)
A secure admin_session cookie is set when the site administrator logs in. It expires after 24 hours and is never set for public visitors.
Client portal session (portal clients only)
A secure portal_client_id cookie is set when a client signs in to the client portal. It expires after 8 hours and is never set for public visitors.
Analytics cookies (requires consent)
This website uses Google Analytics 4, loaded via Google Tag Manager, to understand how the site is used. Analytics cookies are only placed after you accept cookies via the consent banner. The lawful basis is your consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a) / PECR Regulation 6).
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics | Maintains session state | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users (short-term) | 24 hours |
Google Analytics data is processed by Google LLC (US). Data is transferred under standard contractual clauses. Google’s privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all sites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Advertising cookies (future -- requires consent)
We intend to use the Meta Pixel to measure the effectiveness of any future advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. These cookies will only be placed after you accept cookies via the consent banner. No advertising cookies are currently active.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
_fbp | Meta | Browser identifier for ad measurement | 90 days |
_fbc | Meta | Click identifier from Meta ads | 90 days |
Meta’s privacy policy is available at facebook.com/privacy/policy.
Theme preference (not a cookie)
When you toggle between light and dark mode, your preference is saved in your browser’s local storage under the key mettle-theme. Local storage is stored on your device only and is never transmitted to our servers. It is not a cookie and does not require consent.
Google Tag Manager
This website uses Google Tag Manager (GTM) to manage the deployment of analytics and, in future, advertising tags. GTM itself does not place analytics or advertising cookies -- it acts as a container that fires other tags. Those tags only activate for analytics or advertising purposes after you have given consent. GTM operates under Google’s Consent Mode v2, which respects the grant or denial of consent before sending any data.
Third-party services
This website contains links and embedded functionality from third-party providers including Calendly (appointment booking) and GoCardless (Direct Debit payments). When you access a third-party service, that provider’s own privacy and cookie policies apply. We do not control cookies set by external websites.
Managing cookies
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can block or delete cookies and configure alerts before cookies are stored. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect the basic functioning of some websites. Guidance is usually found within your browser’s help section.
To withdraw consent you have already given, clear your browser cookies and local storage for mettletherapy.co.uk. The consent banner will reappear on your next visit.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will always indicate the latest version. Where changes are material, we will update the consent banner to seek fresh consent.
Questions
Contact info@mettletherapy.co.uk with any questions about this policy.