Cookie Policy
Last updated: 17 June 2026
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by a website. Cookies help websites remember your preferences and measure traffic. Some cookies are set by us (first-party cookies); others are set by third-party services we use (third-party cookies).
We also use similar technologies: sessionStorage (browser-tab-scoped memory that clears when you close the tab) for UI preferences such as dismissing banners.
Cookies on this site
1. Analytics cookies — Google Analytics 4
We use Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID: G-QBWHXTN1VT) to understand how
visitors use the Site. GA4 sets the following cookies:
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google (first-party domain) | Stores a pseudonymous client identifier used to distinguish visitors. Used to calculate sessions, pages, and traffic sources. | 2 years |
_ga_XXXXXXXXXX | Google (first-party domain) | GA4-specific session state cookie (the suffix matches the measurement ID G-QBWHXTN1VT). | 2 years |
Legal basis: Where required by applicable law (ePrivacy Directive as implemented in Cyprus and other EU/EEA jurisdictions; UK PECR), analytics cookies are set only with your consent. In jurisdictions where legitimate interests apply, we rely on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, balancing our interest in understanding site performance against your privacy.
Data processor: Google Ireland Limited. IP anonymisation is enabled; full IP addresses are not stored by Google. Data may be transferred to the US under the EU–US Data Privacy Framework.
2. Affiliate tracking cookies
When you click an affiliate link, you may be redirected via an affiliate network that sets its own tracking cookies:
| Network | Relevant to | Cookie / mechanism | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refersion | Wysa links | Refersion sets cookies on the refersion.com and vendor domain to track referrals. | 7 days (Wysa referral window) |
| Impact | Freed links | Impact sets cookies on the vendor domain to attribute referral conversions. | Per Impact’s programme settings |
| Direct referral (Upheal, SimplePractice, Alma, Mentalyc) | Direct links | UTM parameters in the URL; no additional cookies set by us. Vendor may set their own cookies. | Varies by vendor |
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) — receiving commissions that fund editorial operations. Where consent is required by applicable law, affiliate cookies are subject to the same consent mechanism as analytics cookies.
3. Consent preference storage (localStorage)
| Key | Storage type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
bat-consent | localStorage | Stores your cookie consent choice (“granted” or “denied”) so we can apply Google Consent Mode v2 defaults on every page load before any
tracking scripts fire. | Until manually cleared (persists across sessions) |
Legal basis: Necessary for operating the consent mechanism. This key contains
only a flag value (“granted” or “denied”)
and no personal data.
To withdraw or change your consent choice, clear your browser’s localStorage for this
site (browser developer tools → Application → Local Storage → delete bat-consent). On your next visit the cookie consent banner will reappear.
4. Functional / UI preference storage (sessionStorage)
| Key | Storage type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
top-bar-dismissed | sessionStorage | Remembers that you dismissed the top-pick bar so it doesn’t reappear in the same tab. | Current browser tab / session |
mobile-bar-dismissed | sessionStorage | Remembers that you dismissed the mobile CTA bar. | Current browser tab / session |
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) — providing a less
intrusive user experience. No personal data is stored in these keys; they contain only a flag
value of “1”.
How to manage and opt out of cookies
Browser settings
You can configure your browser to block or delete cookies. Note that blocking all cookies may affect site functionality. Browser-specific instructions:
Google Analytics opt-out
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent GA4 from collecting data on your visits across all sites.
Affiliate network opt-outs
- Refersion: Visit Refersion’s privacy policy at refersion.com/privacy for opt-out options.
- Impact: Visit Impact’s privacy policy at impact.com/privacy-policy for opt-out options.
Industry opt-out tools
Cookie consent
When you first visit the Site, a cookie consent banner gives you the ability to accept or decline non-essential cookies (analytics, affiliate tracking). We implement Google Consent Mode v2: analytics and advertising storage are set to denied by default until you make a choice. Functional/UI sessionStorage keys are not subject to cookie consent as they do not contain personal data and are session-scoped.
Your choice is stored in the bat-consent localStorage key (see Section 3 above).
To withdraw or change your consent at any time, clear bat-consent from your browser’s
localStorage — the banner will reappear on your next visit.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add new cookies or change how existing ones work. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Contact
Questions about our cookie practices: [email protected] or see our Contact page. Full data protection information is in our Privacy Policy.