Privacy policy.

Effective Date: June 17, 2025

Kate Berce Coaching (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from clients and website users, how we use and store that information, and your rights regarding your personal data. By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. We strive to follow best practices in privacy, and even though we primarily operate in the U.S., we aim to comply with major privacy regulations (like California’s CCPA and the EU’s GDPR) to the extent they apply or as a courtesy to users. Please read this policy carefully. If you have any questions, contact us at kateberce.coaching@gmail.com.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide: We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you interact with Kate Berce Coaching. This may include:

• Contact Information: Your name, email address, and phone number. For example, when you fill out a contact form, subscribe to our newsletter, or sign up for a free download, we may ask for your name and email. If you schedule a discovery call or become a client, we will collect your contact details to communicate with you.
  
  

• Account and Billing Information: If you purchase coaching services or digital products, we (or our third-party payment processor) will collect payment information (such as credit card details and billing address). Note: We do not store full credit card numbers on our own systems – payments are handled securely through compliant third-party processors (e.g., Stripe or Squarespace Payments).
  
  

• Client Intake Data: As a health coaching client, after signup you may fill out intake forms or questionnaires regarding your lifestyle, health history, nutrition, habits, challenges, and goals. This could include information about your diet, exercise routine, sleep, stress levels, menstrual cycle details, and other wellness-related data. We collect this information only with your knowledge and consent, as it is necessary for us to tailor the coaching to your needs. This data might be collected via online forms (for example, Google Forms) or through an initial consultation conversation.
  
  

• Communications: If you email us, text us, or send other communications, we may keep those messages and your contact details in order to respond and keep records. For instance, if you use iMessage or SMS to communicate with the coach (Kate), we will have your phone number and whatever information you share via those messages.
  
  

• Survey or Feedback Information: Occasionally, we might request feedback through surveys or testimonials. Providing this information is optional, and we will obtain your consent to use any testimonial publicly.
  
  

Information Collected Automatically: When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically by our website platform (Squarespace) or analytics tools:

• Usage Data: We may collect data about your device and browsing actions. This can include your IP address, browser type, device type, pages you visit on our site, dates/times of access, and the website that referred you to our Site. For example, Squarespace and Google Analytics might log that a user from a certain location visited our homepage and blog pages at certain times. This information helps us understand traffic and improve our Site’s performance and user experience.
  
  

• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Our Site uses cookies (small data files stored on your browser) and similar technologies to recognize you and customize your experience. For instance, cookies might remember your preferences or track aggregate usage. You can control cookies through your browser settings (including blocking them), but note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality (for example, the ability to stay logged in or the shopping cart). We do not use cookies for advertising purposes, and any analytics cookies are used purely to gather anonymous usage statistics.
  
  

• We do not knowingly use any invasive tracking or profiling techniques. We do not respond to “Do Not Track” signals (there is no consensus on this), but we limit data collection to basic functional and analytic purposes.
  
  

We do not collect any sensitive personal information about you unless you choose to provide it as part of coaching (for example, health information you share in forms, or perhaps religious beliefs or sexual health details if relevant to your wellness goals). We only use such sensitive info to better support you and keep it strictly confidential (see Section 4 on data security and confidentiality).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Providing and Improving Services: We use your information to deliver the services or products you have requested. For example, if you join a coaching program, we use your intake information to prepare for sessions and tailor our advice. If you download a guide, we may use your email to send you the file or access link. We use feedback to improve our offerings. Understanding how users navigate our Site (through usage data) helps us optimize content and usability.
  
  

• Communication: We use contact details (email, phone) to communicate with you. This includes sending administrative emails (appointment reminders, receipts for purchases, responses to inquiries) and coaching communications (session follow-ups, relevant resources, or motivational check-ins if that’s part of the coaching arrangement). With your consent, we may also send marketing or newsletter emails about new programs, blog updates, or promotions we think may interest you – but you can opt out of these at any time. Every marketing email will contain an “unsubscribe” link.
  
  

• Transaction Processing: If you make a purchase, we use your information to process the payment and provide you with the product or service. This may include sending you confirmations, invoices, or digital product access instructions.
  
  

• Maintaining the Website: Automatic data (like logs and cookies) are used to maintain the security and functionality of our Site. For example, IP addresses in logs help diagnose and prevent malicious activities (like hacking attempts or spam submissions). Analytics help us see which pages are popular, helping us to decide content updates.
  
  

• Legal Compliance and Protection: We may use or disclose information as necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes (such as a court order), or enforceable government requests. Also, if needed, we will use information to enforce our terms and to detect or investigate fraud or security issues. We hope this never comes up, but for example, if required by law to report something or respond to a legal dispute, we may have to provide relevant data.
  
  

• Business Transfers: Although currently Kate Berce Coaching is an individual-run business, if in the future the business is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale, user information could be transferred to the new owner as part of that arrangement (as is common). If that happens, we will ensure the new owner continues to honor the commitments made in this Privacy Policy or provide notice and an opportunity to opt-out.
  
  

Importantly, we do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing or any other purposes. We also do not engage in affiliate marketing that involves sharing your data. In other words, we don’t trade your data for money, period.

3. Third-Party Services and Sharing of Information

Kate Berce Coaching uses trusted third-party services to operate our business. We only share information with third parties to the extent necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined above, and we carefully choose providers that uphold strong privacy and security standards. Here are the key third parties we work with and how information might be shared:

• Website Hosting – Squarespace: Our website is hosted and built on the Squarespace platform. This means that any information you enter on our Site (such as form submissions) and data collected automatically by the Site (cookies, analytics) are stored on Squarespace’s servers. Squarespace may have access to certain data to provide their hosting and analytics services to us. We have entered into a Data Processing Agreement with Squarespace as needed, and you can review Squarespace’s Privacy Policy for details on how they handle user data. Squarespace’s Privacy Policy squarespace.com.
  
  

• Email and Communications – Google and Email Service: We use email to communicate, which may be through an email service provider (e.g., Gmail or our domain email which might be powered by Google Workspace). If you email us, your message and address are stored on our email servers. We also might use an email marketing service (like MailChimp or Squarespace Email Campaigns) to manage our newsletter. Those services would store your name and email for the purpose of sending newsletters you subscribed to. They include unsubscribe functionality and comply with anti-spam laws.
  
  

• Scheduling and Calendar – Google Calendar/Acuity: We schedule coaching sessions using Google Calendar (or possibly an integrated scheduling tool). If you book an appointment, your name and email may be recorded in the calendar event (which is stored on Google’s systems). If we use a scheduling app (such as Acuity Scheduling or Calendly, integrated with Squarespace), that app will handle your provided info for booking and reminders. (For example, Acuity is owned by Squarespace, so it shares data with Squarespace’s system.)
  
  

• Intake Forms and Data Storage – Google Drive/Forms: We may use Google Forms to collect your detailed intake questionnaire and Google Drive to store client documents/notes. That means your responses and any documents are saved on Google’s cloud servers, accessible only by us. Google’s services are secured and we protect the account with strong passwords. However, because sensitive health information may be involved, we treat these with high confidentiality (see Section 4). Google’s Privacy Policy governs their handling of data on their platforms. Google Privacy Policy https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US.
  
  

• Messaging – iMessage or SMS: If we communicate via text or iMessage (Apple’s messaging service), the content of those messages resides on your device, our devices, and the respective service systems (telecom networks or Apple’s iMessage servers). iMessage is end-to-end encrypted between Apple devices, which adds protection. However, standard SMS (text messages) through phone carriers are not encrypted. We caution clients not to send extremely sensitive information via standard text. We use these channels primarily for quick logistical communications (like “I’m running 5 minutes late” or “Reminder: session tomorrow”). By using these channels, you understand that some data (phone numbers, message content) is handled by third parties (your mobile provider or Apple). Apple’s privacy policy can be found on their site. Apple Privacy Policy https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/.
  
  

• Payment Processors: When you make a payment on our Site, it might be processed by Squarespace’s integrated payment system (which uses Stripe or PayPal behind the scenes). These processors will receive your payment details to process the transaction. We do not see or store your full credit card number. The payment processor’s privacy and security policies apply to your financial information. They only provide us with limited info like your name, email, and confirmation that payment was made.
  
  

• Analytics Tools: We may use Google Analytics or Squarespace’s built-in analytics to understand website traffic. These tools use cookies and tracking scripts to collect usage data (as described in Section 1 under “Information Collected Automatically”). The data is generally aggregated (e.g., total page views, demographic trends) and does not identify you personally to us. Google Analytics may collect anonymized identifiers. You can opt-out of Google Analytics tracking by using a browser add-on if you wish.
  
  

• Legal or Regulatory Disclosure: Aside from the above service providers, we will not share your personal information with third parties unless required to do so by law, subpoena, or if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to (a) comply with a legal obligation, (b) protect our rights or property, (c) prevent fraud or abuse, or (d) protect the safety of our users or the public. For example, if we were audited or had a legal claim, we might have to show records that include personal data.
  
  

No Selling or Renting of Data: To reiterate, we do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone. We also do not share your information with any third-party advertisers or ad networks. We do not participate in any data exchange databases. The third parties we use receive data only to perform their specific services (e.g., process a payment, host the site) and not to use for their own marketing.

Third-Party Privacy Policies: We encourage you to read the privacy policies of the third-party services we mentioned for more information on their practices. For your convenience: [Squarespace Privacy Policy], [Google Privacy Policy], [Apple Privacy Policy], [Stripe Privacy Policy], [PayPal Privacy Policy].

4. Data Security and Confidentiality

Security Measures: We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information. This includes:

• Secure Storage: Any digital records containing personal or health information (intake forms, notes, contact lists) are stored in password-protected accounts (such as our Google Drive under a secure Google Account) or on a password-protected device owned by Kate Berce. Kate’s computer and mobile devices are secured with strong passwords/passcodes and encryption is enabled where available. We keep software and antivirus protection up to date.
  
  

• Limited Access: Only Kate Berce (and if ever applicable, authorized personnel assisting her) has access to client personal data. Since this is a single-practitioner business, no unrelated staff can view your information. If in the future Kate hires an assistant or uses a contractor, they would be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and adhere to this Privacy Policy.
  
  

• Website Security: Our website uses HTTPS (SSL encryption) for all pages, which means data transmitted through the site (such as form submissions or payment details) is encrypted in transit. We rely on Squarespace’s security for the site infrastructure and they monitor and update the platform for security vulnerabilities. We have strong passwords for our site admin and enable two-factor authentication where available.
  
  

• Backup and Retention: We may keep backups of electronic data (for example, periodic exports or copies of important records) stored securely to prevent data loss. We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. For coaching clients, this usually means we keep your information during the coaching relationship and for a reasonable period thereafter (in case you return or for our records). We generally keep client files for at least 2–3 years unless you request deletion, as it can be helpful for follow-up sessions or to track progress. We will not keep data longer than we find necessary. If we dispose of data (e.g., delete digital files or shred paper notes), we do so in a secure manner.
  
  

Confidentiality in Coaching: We understand that in the course of coaching, you might share highly personal information about your health, life, and challenges. We treat all client disclosures as confidential. This means we will not share your identity or personal details of your case with anyone outside Kate Berce Coaching without your explicit permission. The only possible exceptions (which are standard in wellness professions) would be:

• If we are required by law to disclose information (for example, a court subpoena).
  
  

• If you express intent to harm yourself or others, or report abuse of a minor/vulnerable person, we may be obligated to ensure safety (such as alerting authorities or encouraging you to seek emergency help). While as a coach Kate is not a legally mandated reporter in the way therapists are, we do take any threats to safety seriously and will act in good conscience to protect you or others.
  
  

• If we need to consult with a professional mentor or expert for guidance on your case, we would do so without revealing your identity (speaking in hypotheticals or anonymously) unless you have given permission to share certain info. Generally, this is rare and done to better help you.
  
  

• With your consent: for instance, if you want Kate to coordinate with your other healthcare providers or if you agree to share a testimonial (even then, we can anonymize it at your request).
  
  

Aside from these rare situations, what you share in coaching stays within Kate Berce Coaching. We do not record coaching sessions without permission. If we take notes, they are for our use in helping you and are kept secure.

No Sale or Misuse of Sensitive Data: We will never sell or disclose any health or personal details you share to outside parties. We do not use your data for any purpose other than providing you service and as described in this policy. We are mindful that some information you share is sensitive (health, emotional, etc.), and it is handled with the utmost care and privacy.

Despite our efforts, please remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. By using our services, you acknowledge that you understand these risks. In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and any required authorities as soon as possible, as required by law.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Access and Update: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. You may also request corrections or updates to inaccurate or incomplete data. For example, if you change your email address or notice an error in our records, you can contact us to fix it.

Deletion (Right to be Forgotten): You can request that we delete your personal information. For instance, if you stop using our services and want your client file removed, we will delete the personal data we can, except for information we are required to keep for legal or compliance purposes (such as transaction records for accounting, or information needed to exercise or defend legal claims). Note that if you have an ongoing coaching relationship, deletion of certain data might affect our ability to continue service (we’d discuss that with you if so). If you request deletion, we will also communicate that request to our third-party processors to the extent possible (like deleting your info from our email list, and removing any cloud-stored intake forms, etc.).

Withdrawal of Consent: If our processing of your information is based on consent (e.g., receiving marketing emails), you can withdraw that consent at any time. The easiest way for marketing emails is to click “unsubscribe” in the email or email us directly to be removed. For other consent-based uses, just inform us and we will accommodate.

Opt-Out of Communications: You can opt out of non-essential communications. For example, you may opt out of our newsletter or promotional emails without affecting your access to the main coaching services. Transactional or account-related emails (like appointment reminders or receipts) are not optional if you are actively using services, as they are part of the service, but those cease when you’re no longer a client.

Cookies: As mentioned, you can usually adjust your browser settings to reject cookies or notify you when cookies are set. You can also clear cookies at any time. This may impact your experience (for example, parts of the Site might not remember your preferences). We do not use cookies to serve ads, so opting out mainly affects convenience and analytics. If you wish to opt out of Google Analytics specifically, Google provides a browser add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

California Residents (CCPA): If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These include the right to know what personal information is collected about you, to know if your information is sold or disclosed (we do not sell it, as stated), to request deletion of your personal info, and to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. We have generally addressed many of these in the above sections. If you need to exercise any specific CCPA rights, please contact us. We may need to verify your identity (for example, by confirming information we already have on file) before fulfilling certain requests. Also, you may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf under CCPA, but we will need proof of that authorization and still will verify your identity with you directly. Shine the Light Law: California’s “Shine the Light” law allows residents to ask once a year what personal info we share with third parties for their direct marketing. We do not share any personal info with third parties for direct marketing, so there’s nothing to report in that regard.

GDPR (EU Residents): Although we do not actively market or provide services to EU individuals at this time (our focus is U.S.-based women), if you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, you may have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These include the rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, objection to processing, and data portability, as well as the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. We uphold these principles as a courtesy. We only process your data with a lawful basis (e.g., your consent or to fulfill a contract like providing coaching). If you happen to be an EU resident using our services, you can reach out to exercise GDPR rights, and we will honor them to the best of our ability. Since we do not have an EU establishment and likely process minimal EU data, we might not be legally required to comply, but we choose to be transparent and cooperative.

We will never retaliate or deny you service for exercising any privacy right. We value trust and openness.

To exercise any of your rights or make any requests regarding your personal data, please contact us at kateberce.coaching@gmail.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe, and in any case as required by law (within 30 days for most requests).

6. No Affiliate Marketing or Paid Advertising Practices

We want to clarify that Kate Berce Coaching does not engage in affiliate marketing or accept paid promotions that involve user data. This means:

• We do not track you for affiliate referrals, nor do we share your info with affiliate partners because we currently have none. (If in the future we recommend a product and use an affiliate link, we would disclose it in the content, but it wouldn’t involve giving any of your info to that third party – it just means we’d get a commission if you chose to buy through our link. As of the effective date of this policy, we have no such arrangements.)
  
  

• We do not host third-party ads on our website that would collect your data (like no Google AdSense or similar).
  
  

• We do not accept money to send marketing emails to our list on behalf of other companies. Any resources or products we mention are genuinely because we find them useful, not because we’re paid to do so.
  
  

• Because we have no affiliate or advertising programs running, we’re not installing any third-party ad trackers or cookies beyond basic analytics. So your personal data isn’t being used for targeted advertising via our Site.
  
  

If this ever changes, we would update this Privacy Policy and clearly inform you of any new data sharing that might occur. But our business model is service-based (coaching and our own products), not ad-based.

7. Miscellaneous

Retention of Data: We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which we collected it, as outlined above, or as required by law. For example, we might keep:

• Email inquiry records for a year or two in case you reach out again.
  
  

• Client coaching records for a few years to support continuity if you return or for our business records.
  
  

• Purchase records as long as needed for accounting/tax (typically 7 years in the US for financial records). If you request deletion, we will delete data earlier (except what must be retained).
  
  

International Data Transfers: Our website is hosted in the United States and our services are targeted to U.S. customers. If you are accessing from outside the U.S., be aware that your information will be transferred to and stored in the U.S. The privacy laws in the U.S. may differ from those in your jurisdiction. That said, we treat all personal data under the principles described here regardless of origin. By using our Site or giving us information, you consent to the transfer of your data to the U.S.

Third-Party Links: Our website or communications may include links to external websites (for example, a link to a research article or a product on Amazon). If you click those, you will be directed away from our site. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of other websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies. This Privacy Policy applies only to Kate Berce Coaching’s website and services.

Children’s Privacy: Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover that a minor has provided us with personal info, we will delete it. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 18 has submitted personal information to us, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

Changes to this Privacy Policy: We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we update the policy, we will change the “Effective Date” at the top. If changes are significant, we may also notify you via email or a notice on our site’s homepage. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of the Site or services after any changes to this policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

Kate Berce Coaching
Email: kateberce.coaching@gmail.com
Address: Boulder, Colorado

We will be happy to answer your questions and address any issues to the best of our ability. Your privacy and trust are paramount to us, and we appreciate you entrusting us with your personal information as you embark on your health journey.

By using our site and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. Thank you for choosing Kate Berce Coaching and for your confidence in how we handle your information.