1. Who I am
I am Hans Ernsten, the counselor behind foep, based in The Hague, the Netherlands. You can contact me at info@foep.me.
I respect your privacy and handle your personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
2. Personal data I collect
I only collect data that is needed to offer counseling and run my practice:
Contact details — name, email address, phone number.
Administrative data — invoices and payment details.
Session information — notes about our conversations that help guide your counseling process.
Website data — information you send via forms or email; basic analytics/cookies (see below).
I do not collect special data beyond what you voluntarily share during sessions.
3. How I use your data
I use your data only to contact you and plan sessions, deliver counseling services, keep administrative and tax records as required by Dutch law, and improve my website and booking experience (anonymous analytics).
I will never sell or rent your data.
4. Lawful bases for processing
I process your personal data because it is necessary for our contract (to provide counseling), required by law (for example, for tax records), or based on your consent when you submit forms. You may withdraw consent at any time by emailing me.
5. Confidentiality and sharing
Everything shared in counseling sessions is confidential. I will only disclose information if you give explicit permission, or if I am legally obliged — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others.
For practical services (hosting, email, booking software), I work with trusted providers who act as Data Processors under the GDPR and have Data Processing Agreements with me.
6. Data storage and security
Digital files are stored on password-protected and encrypted systems. Paper notes are kept securely. Only I have access.
7. Retention periods
Session notes — kept for up to five years after your last session, unless the law requires longer.
Administrative and tax data — seven years, per Dutch fiscal requirements.
Emails and contact form entries — deleted when no longer relevant to our work together.
8. Your rights
You have the right to access the personal data I hold about you, correct inaccurate data, request deletion (unless I must keep it for legal reasons), object to or restrict processing, and receive your data in a portable format.
Email info@foep.me to exercise these rights. If you believe I mishandle your data, you can complain to the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (Dutch Data Protection Authority).
9. Cookies and analytics
My website uses only essential cookies and minimal analytics — for example, to understand site visits. If I introduce non-essential cookies (such as marketing cookies), you will see a banner asking for your consent.
10. Changes
I may update this statement if my services or legal requirements change. The latest version will always be available at foep.me/privacy.
Questions?
Email info@foep.me — I will respond promptly.