Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 2, 2025
Applies to: G J Chappell Consulting and Sage Success Personal & Professional Development (“we,” “us,” “our”) and the websites and pages we operate (the “Site”).

1) Who we are

We provide counselling, coaching, education, and personal/professional development services online and in person. Protecting your privacy and confidentiality is central to our work and our ethics.

2) Scope of this policy

This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information related to your use of our Site and services. It also explains how client information is handled confidentially outside the Site (e.g., within our practice systems).

Not legal advice: This policy is provided for general information and may be updated over time.

3) What we collect on the Site

• If you wish to subscribe to our newsletter, the opt-in form works through Kit. By subscribing to the newsletter, you also agree to occasional notifications of offers that we believe will be beneficial for you. You are able to unsubscribe at any time. 

If you choose to contact us directly (e.g., by email or through a contact form) or book an initial consult (e.g., via Calendly), we will receive the information you provide solely to respond to your inquiry and deliver the requested service.

4) Information we may collect automatically (analytics & cookies)

To improve Site functionality and understand how visitors use our pages, the website may collect limited, non-identifying technical information such as:

• Pages visited, time on page, referring website
• Browser type, device type, general location (city/region level), and IP address (standard web logs)

We may use cookies or similar technologies for these purposes. You can control cookies in your browser settings. If we use third-party analytics or embedded tools (e.g., video players), those providers may set their own cookies subject to their privacy policies.

We do not sell personal information. Analytics are used in aggregate to improve the Site.

5) Contacting us, scheduling, and client intake

• Initial consults: If you schedule an initial brief consultation through a third-party scheduling tool (e.g., Calendly), the information you provide there is handled by that provider according to its privacy policy. We use that information solely to schedule and prepare for your consult.
• Client sessions and records: If you become a client, your registration, session booking, and clinical records are handled outside this Site     using dedicated practice software (e.g., Owl Practice). Your sensitive information is stored and managed within that system under its own security and privacy controls. We maintain confidentiality in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws.

6) Confidentiality for counselling and coaching clients

Client information is confidential. We keep your identity and records private and do not publish or disclose client information on the Site.

Exceptions to confidentiality (common in professional practice) may include where disclosure is required or permitted by law, such as:

• Risk of serious and imminent harm to self or others
• Known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person
• Court order, subpoena, or lawful request by a regulator
• Where otherwise required by applicable law or professional standards

We disclose only the minimum information necessary to meet legal or ethical obligations.

7) Anonymity on the Site & testimonials

You remain anonymous on the Site. We do not post client names or identifying details.

Students/participants in specific programs may choose to share their name if they wish to provide a testimonial.

• Testimonials are strictly voluntary and consent-based.
• You may choose the format (full name, first name + last initial, or fully anonymous).
• You may withdraw consent for future use of your testimonial at any time; previously printed or published materials may not be retractable, but we  will remove the testimonial from our Site going forward.

8) How we use information

We use the limited, non-identifying Site data we collect to:

• Operate, secure, and improve the Site
• Diagnose technical issues and measure engagement with our pages
• Understand which content is most helpful to visitors

If you contact us or book a consult, we use your provided information to respond and deliver services you request.

9) Sharing your information

We do not sell or rent personal information. We may share limited data with service providers that help us operate the Site (e.g., hosting, analytics, scheduling) under agreements requiring them to protect the data and use it only for our purposes. We may disclose information if required by law (see §6).

10) Data location & retention

Our Site and service providers may process information outside your province or country. We select reputable providers that implement appropriate safeguards.

We retain analytics logs and inquiry records only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described (or as required by law). Client clinical records are retained in accordance with professional and legal requirements (managed within our practice system, not on the Site).

11) Your choices & rights

• Cookies/Tracking: Manage or block cookies through your browser settings.
• Access/Correction: For  personal information you have provided directly (e.g., through a contact form) you may request access, correction, or deletion, subject to legal and professional obligations.
• Client Records: Current or former clients can request  access to records through our practice system; legal and ethical rules apply.
• Complaints: Preferably, you will contact us immediately with any concern or complaint you have (see §14). In Canada, you may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or your provincial regulator.

12) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information under our control. No system can be guaranteed 100% secure; we continuously work to maintain appropriate protections.

13) Children’s privacy

Our Site and services are intended for adults (over the age of 18). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children online.

14) Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Effective date” above shows when it last changed. Material updates will be reflected on this page.

15) How to contact us

For questions about this policy or your information, please contact us using the form below:
G J Chappell Consulting / Sage Success Personal & Professional Development