This page explains how Cottonwood Psychology uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit cottonwoodpsychology.com. We use a light set of cookies to run the site, keep it secure, and understand what readers find useful. You can control most of them.
We keep this policy clear and practical. If anything here isn’t, email us at [email protected].
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your browser. Some are cleared when you close the browser. Others stay until they expire or you remove them. They help websites work, remember settings, and measure what’s happening on the page.
The cookies we use and why
1) Strictly necessary cookies
These are essential for the site to function. They support things like page navigation, load balancing, basic security, and remembering that you’ve set a preference (for example, your cookie choices). You can’t turn these off from our side because the site won’t work properly without them, but you can still block them in your browser if you prefer.
2) Analytics and performance cookies
We use privacy-friendly analytics (such as Google Analytics) to see aggregate trends: which articles are read, where readers arrive from, and how the site performs. This helps us fix issues and decide what to improve. We don’t use analytics to build profiles of individual readers.
Typical analytics cookies may include items like _ga, _ga_<container-id>, or _gid, which can last from 24 hours up to two years depending on your browser settings.
3) Features and third-party content (sometimes)
If we embed content from other services, like a video or a social post, those providers may set their own cookies. They control what they place and how long it lasts. We only embed when it adds clear value to an article.
4) Advertising cookies (not active now)
We don’t run ads or use retargeting cookies at the moment. If we add an advertising partner in the future (for example, Google AdSense or Mediavine), we’ll update this page and show a consent choice before any non-essential cookies load.
Your choices
You have control. Here are the common options:
- Use our banner or settings (when shown). Where the law requires consent, we’ll display a clear choice to accept or reject non-essential cookies. Your preference will be stored in a small “preference cookie” so we can remember it.
- Manage cookies in your browser. Every major browser lets you block or delete cookies, set site-specific rules, and clear stored data. Look for help articles in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to see step-by-step instructions.
- Private browsing. Incognito or private windows limit how cookies persist across sessions.
Blocking some cookies can affect site performance or features. Strictly necessary cookies are, by definition, required for basic operation.
GDPR, UK GDPR, and CCPA/CPRA
- EU/UK visitors: We only set non-essential cookies with your consent. You can withdraw consent at any time by changing your settings or contacting us.
- California visitors: You have the right to know what data we collect, request deletion, and opt out of certain sharing. We don’t sell your personal information. To make a request, email [email protected].
For broader details on what we collect and why, see our Privacy Policy.
How long we keep this data
Cookie lifespans vary. Some disappear when you close your browser. Others can last months. We set the shortest practical durations and review them periodically.
Changes to this policy
We update this page when our use of cookies changes or when laws require it. If the change is material, we’ll make it clear on the site. The “Last updated” date at the top shows when we last revised the page.
Contact us
Questions about this policy or your choices?
Email: [email protected]