What happens in the first session?

The first session is dedicated to understanding the reason for contact, the current context and what you expect from the support. It is also a moment to clarify any doubts and determine whether this is the appropriate setting.

How long are the sessions and in what format?

Sessions take place online via video call, lasting approximately 50 minutes. Availability, frequency and practical arrangements are agreed individually.

How does confidentiality work?

Psychological support is guided by professional and ethical duties of confidentiality. Legal and ethical limits apply, for example when there is serious risk to the person or to third parties.

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Privacy

Privacy Policy

This page clearly sets out how personal data submitted through this website is processed, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR — EU Regulation 2016/679).

Data controller

Francisco Harfouche, clinical psychologist registered with the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP n.º 29806), operating a telemedicine establishment registered with the Portuguese Health Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde, ERS) under no. E183052. For privacy-related enquiries: franciscoharfouche@gmail.com.

Data collected

The contact form collects your name, email address, reason for contact (general category) and the content of your message. No health data, diagnoses or clinical information is collected through this form.

Purpose

Data is used solely to respond to your contact request, provide requested information, schedule a first session, or manage professional collaboration enquiries.

Legal basis

Processing is based on the explicit consent given when submitting the form (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). Consent may be withdrawn at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.

Retention

Messages with no follow-up are deleted within 12 months of receipt. Where an ongoing professional relationship exists, data is retained for as long as necessary to manage that relationship, in compliance with applicable legal obligations.

Third-party services

The contact form uses Formsubmit.co to forward messages to the professional email address — data passes through this external service's servers. The website also uses Vercel Analytics for aggregated, anonymous visit statistics, without tracking cookies or individual profiling.

Your rights

Under the GDPR, you may request access, rectification, erasure, restriction or portability of your data, and object to its processing. Requests are responded to within 30 days. To exercise these rights, contact franciscoharfouche@gmail.com.

Supervisory authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD), the competent supervisory authority in Portugal. More information at cnpd.pt.

Emergencies

This website and contact form are not intended for emergency or crisis situations. If you are at immediate risk, call 112 or contact an emergency service.

This website does not collect health data through the contact form. Messages received are used solely to establish initial professional contact. For questions about how your data is handled, please use the professional email address shown on the site. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD — cnpd.pt), the competent supervisory authority in Portugal.