Privacy Policy

The Christian Counseling Practice, located at Warandelaan 296, 1800 Vilvoorde, is responsible for the processing of personal data as described in this privacy policy.

Contact Details and Data Controller

The Christian Counseling Practice is an initiative of Annette Winston-Lindenburg, who is personally responsible for the processing of your personal data.

You can contact me using the following details:

• Email: annette@christelijkecounseling.be
• Phone: +32 476 531 583
• Website: www.christelijkecounseling.be
• Postal and Practice Address: Warandelaan 296, 1800 Vilvoorde

Processed Personal Data

• First and last name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Address details
• Phone number
• Email address

Special Categories of Personal Data

A report of each session is prepared and added to your file either in paper or digital form. This may include any homework assignments you have completed, or any emails you have sent in relation to the counseling process. Additionally, supplementary information is collected through the information form. These specific categories of personal data will also be included in your file and may relate to:

• Religion or belief system
• Health and medical information
• Family situation and family relationships
• Personal history
• Sexuality
• Involvement with law enforcement (if applicable and with your consent)

These special categories of personal data are processed solely in the context of your counselling and on the basis of your explicit consent. You may withdraw this consent at any time; this may affect the continuation of the counselling process.

Purposes of Data Processing

Your personal data are processed for the following purposes:

• To provide personalized counseling based on your needs and goals
• To process and properly handle any donations you may choose to make
• To contact you by phone or email when necessary for counseling or related services

Legal Basis for Data Processing

The processing of your personal data is based on:

• The counseling agreement between you and me
• Your explicit consent (for example, for sharing data with third parties)
• Legal obligations I must follow
• My legitimate interests, such as maintaining records for quality and aftercare

Retention of Personal Data

Your written and digital personal data are not kept longer than necessary to achieve the purposes for which they were collected. Your data are stored carefully and securely at the address mentioned above.

Unless you explicitly and in writing request that your file be destroyed immediately after the conclusion of the counselling process (see the section “Access, Correction and Deletion of Your Personal Data”), your data will generally be retained for up to five years after the end of the counselling.

If a longer retention period is legally required or necessary in the interest of quality assurance or continuity of counselling, your file may be retained for a longer period. This retention period makes it possible to reconnect with the existing file should counselling be resumed after a period of time.

Sharing Personal Data with Third Parties

Your file is confidential and will only be shared with third parties upon your prior written consent (for example, if sharing with a healthcare provider is necessary). In such cases, I will always discuss with you which information will be shared.

If your file is discussed within the context of professional development — such as supervision or peer consultations at the Centrum voor Pastorale Counseling (Centre for Pastoral Counseling) — this will always be done in anonymized form to ensure your privacy is fully protected.

International Data Transfers

Your personal data are not shared with parties outside the European Economic Area (EEA), except when this is necessary for the provision of services (for example, when using digital tools with servers outside the EEA) or when this has been explicitly agreed with you. In such cases, the transfer is carried out only with appropriate safeguards, in accordance with the requirements of the GDPR.

Use of Third-Party Data Processors

To provide services, third-party providers process your personal data on my behalf (for example, for website hosting or administrative services). I have agreements with these parties to ensure they handle your data in compliance with data protection laws.

Use of Computer Programs and Automated Processing

No decisions are made based solely on automated processing that could have significant consequences for you. This means that no decisions are made by computer programs or systems without human intervention.

The following computer programs and systems are used:

• Microsoft Office: for creating and managing documents and communication related to the counseling process.

Use of Technically Necessary Cookies

This website only uses strictly necessary (functional) cookies. These are required to ensure the website works properly and securely. No analytical, tracking, marketing, or advertising cookies are used, and no visitor behavior is analyzed or shared with third parties for commercial purposes.

The website is hosted via Webflow. In this context, limited technical data (such as IP address and time of visit) may be processed to deliver the website correctly and securely. A data processing agreement has been concluded with this hosting partner.

You can delete or block cookies via your browser settings. However, functional cookies cannot be completely disabled, as this may prevent the website from working properly.

Security of Your Personal Data

Measures are taken to protect your personal data. Appropriate technical and organizational measures are taken to prevent misuse, loss, unauthorized access, unwanted disclosure, and unauthorized changes.

If you believe that your data is not properly secured or if you have concerns about misuse or other complaints, please contact: annette@christelijkecounseling.be.

Access, Correction and Deletion of Your Personal Data

You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. To exercise these rights, you may submit a written request including your full name, address, phone number, and a copy of a valid identification document to verify your identity. This information will be used solely to confirm your identity and will be deleted afterward.

Additionally, you have the right to data portability, meaning you can request that your personal data be provided to you or transferred to a third party of your choice.

Your Right to File a Complaint

If you believe your personal data is being processed unlawfully, you have the right to file a complaint with the Data Protection Authority (DPA).

Amendments to this Privacy Policy

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time. In case of significant changes, you will be notified via email or a notice on the website.

Privacy Policy – Praktijk voor Christelijke Counseling