Cookie policy
Last updated: March 2026
This policy explains how The Online Psychologists (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. It should be read alongside our privacy policy.
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site function properly, remember your preferences and understand how visitors use the site. Some cookies are essential for the website to work, while others help us improve your experience.
Cookies we use
Essential
These are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off.
| Cookie / storage | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cookie consent preference (localStorage) | Remembers whether you have accepted or declined non-essential cookies via our consent banner | Persistent until cleared |
Analytics
These help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it. They are only set if you consent via our cookie banner.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics. Distinguishes unique visitors by assigning a randomly generated number | 2 years |
_gid |
Google Analytics. Identifies unique visitors for the current day | 24 hours |
Google Analytics collects data anonymously and does not identify you personally. You can learn more about how Google uses your data at Google’s privacy policy.
We also use Microsoft Clarity, which records anonymised session replays and heatmaps to help us understand how visitors use our website. Clarity does not collect personal information. See Microsoft’s privacy statement.
Security
These are set by third-party services that help protect the website from automated abuse.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
cf_clearance |
Cloudflare Turnstile. Confirms that a visitor has successfully completed a security challenge, so they are not asked again for a set period | Up to 30 minutes |
How to manage cookies
You have several options for managing cookies:
- Our consent banner. When you first visit our website, you can choose to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser’s stored data for our site and revisiting.
- Browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through their settings. The steps vary by browser, so check your browser’s help documentation for instructions. Be aware that blocking all cookies may affect how some websites function.
- Google Analytics opt-out. You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
Third-party cookies
Some cookies on our site are set by third parties (Google Analytics and Cloudflare, as described above). We do not control how these third parties use their cookies. Please refer to their respective privacy policies for further information.
We do not use cookies for advertising or tracking across other websites.
Changes to this policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology or legislation. Any updates will be posted on this page.
Contact us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us or email us at info@theonlinepsychologists.co.uk.