Privacy Policy & Cookies

1 

Data Controller and Website Owner

The controller responsible for processing your data and website owner is:

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Heather Marie Roth Schwaninger, as a sole proprietor in independent practice in the context of psychological and psychosocial counselling services. 

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Address: Rössligasse 45, 8224 Löhningen, Switzerland 

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email: heather@comfycouch.ch 

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Phone: +41 77 254 44 89 

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2

Collected Information

When you visit the website, Wix may collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and information needed for security, stability, and performance.

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Online bookings are made through a secure, booking page link that is part of Health Advisor, the practice management tool I use. ​

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Health Advisor is ISO/IEC27001 Certified.

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If you use the online booking page for scheduling an appointment the following information will be collected to contact you and manage your appointment: First and Last name, email address, phone number, and Date of Birth. 

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3

How personal information is used and shared

Information is only shared where it is necessary to operate the website and counselling practice.

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Wix hosts and supports this website. Wix may process information through its infrastructure and service providers. Wix’s current sub-processors are listed at:
https://support.wix.com/en/article/list-of-wixs-sub-processors

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Health Advisor receives data submitted through the online booking system and provides practice-management, counselling-record, and video-consultation functions, which are covered further in the Practice Policies should you choose to become a client.

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Proton Mail is used for email communication.​

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I am bound by professional standards of confidentiality. However, I may need to disclose information where required by law, court order, or professional obligations.

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I do not sell personal information.

4

Where information is stored and processed

Wix and Google may process information in Switzerland or other countries, depending on their infrastructure and service arrangements.

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Health Advisor uses data centers within Switzerland.

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Proton Mail is owned by Proton AG in Switzerland and data is always stored in encrypted format on our servers which are exclusively located in Switzerland, Germany or Norway. 

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International transfers may be protected through the safeguards used by the relevant provider, such as an adequacy decision or contractual data-protection safeguards. 

5

Cookies

Wix uses essential cookies for security, website visit sessions, stability, fraud prevention, and website performance.

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This website uses a GDPR compliant cookie-consent banner powered by USERCENTRICS.

Visitors can accept or decline non-essential cookies (functional, analytic, marketing) through the available consent settings (see the pop-up Cookie banner and Security button on the website pages for consent settings).​

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You can also manage cookies through your browser:

• Google Chrome cookie settings

• Safari cookie settings

• Firefox cookie settings

• Android cookie settings​

In short: Some essential Wix cookies remain necessary for the website to work. Non-essential cookies are subject to consent.

6

Communication

I may contact you about appointments, online bookings, or other practice-related matters using the contact information you have voluntarily given. 

You can tell me your communication preferences directly by email, phone, or indicate your preferred method of communication on the new client form once you have decided to become a client. 

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Please do not share sensitive, personal information or history through email. Personal information shared as part of the counselling relationship is processed separately through secure online forms, with your consent, and covered by professional confidentiality. 

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7

Your rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

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1. Ask whether I hold personal information about you.

2. Request access to your information.

3. Request correction of inaccurate information.

4. Request deletion where legally permitted.

5. Request restriction of certain uses.

6. Object to certain uses based on legitimate interests.

7. Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

8. Request a portable copy of information you provided.

9. Complain to a competent data-protection authority.

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Send requests to heather@comfycouch.ch 

I may need to verify your identity before responding to your request. 

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You may lodge a complaint with the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner: Feldeggweg 1, 3003 Bern, Switzerland (www.edoeb.admin.ch).

8

How long information is kept

Personal information, counselling forms, counselling notes, emails, and any other information that is part of the clients record, are securely, electronically, stored in Health Advisor and retained according to applicable Swiss cantonal legal requirements, typically 5 years.

This information is covered in more detail in the counselling informed consent and practice policies. 

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Other information is kept only as long as needed for the purpose for which it was collected and for legal, professional, security, or accounting requirements. It is then deleted or anonymized where appropriate.

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No personal information is stored within Wix.

9

How data and information is protected

This website is built and hosted on Wix.

Wix secures the underlying website infrastructure.

Beyond that, I take reasonable steps to protect data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss or destruction. 

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No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

10

Third-party websites and services

This website contains links or embedded services operated by third parties. Those services have their own privacy policies and terms, which have been included in this policy for your information. Their handling of information is governed by their own policies when you use their services.

11

Updates and Contact Information

I may update this policy when the services, technology, or legal obligations change. The updated version will be published on this website with a new effective date.

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Any heading, caption or section title, and any “In short:” summary, is provided for convenience only and does not legally bind either party.

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For privacy questions or requests, contact:

The Comfy Couch – Heather Schwaninger
Email: heather@comfycouch.ch

Phone: +41 77 254 44 89