Privacy Policy

Last updated: 22/10/2026

This policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit this site or work with me as a coaching client.

Who I am

I'm Manahil Saeed, an independent life and career coach based in Brussels, Belgium. For the purposes of the GDPR, I am the data controller.

Questions about this policy or your data: manahil.saeed93@gmail.com or the contact form on this website.

What data I collect

I collect only what you choose to share, or what is needed to run the service:

  • Contact details: your name and email address, and your message, when you use the contact form or book a call.

  • Booking details: the date and time of any call or session you book.

  • Coaching content: what you share in sessions or by email, and my session notes.

  • Billing details: invoicing information if you become a paying client.

  • Website data: pages visited, time on site, device type and similar, collected through Squarespace and cookies (see below).

Sometimes clients share sensitive information in sessions, for example about health or personal circumstances. You are never required to. If you do, I treat it with extra care and process it only for the purpose of our coaching, on the basis of your explicit consent.

Why I use your data, and my legal basis

  • Booking and delivering coaching: to fulfil our agreement, or to take steps you ask for before we agree (contract).

  • Replying to your enquiries: to answer your questions and take steps you ask for before we work together (legitimate interests and pre-contract steps).

  • Invoicing, bookkeeping and tax: to meet legal requirements (legal obligation).

  • Non-essential cookies and analytics: to understand how the site is used (your consent).

  • Sensitive information you share in sessions: only to support our coaching, and only with your explicit consent (GDPR Article 9).

  • Keeping the website secure and working: to protect and maintain the site (legitimate interests).

Confidentiality

What you share in coaching stays confidential, except where I'm legally required to disclose it or there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. I may discuss my work with a supervisor or mentor coach, but only in anonymised form, without information that could identify you.

Who I share data with

Only with the providers I use to run my practice:

  • Squarespace: website hosting, contact form

  • Google Workspace / Gmail: email, calendar, documents; booking calls

Each acts as my data processor under a data processing agreement. I may also share data with authorities where the law requires it.

Transfers outside the EU/EEA

Some of these providers are based in, or process data in, the United States. Where that happens, transfers rely on safeguards the GDPR recognises, such as the EU–US Data Privacy Framework or Standard Contractual Clauses.

Cookies

This website uses essential cookies to work. With your consent, it may also use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used. You can change your choice at any time through the cookie settings on this site.

How long I keep your data

  • Contact form and enquiries: up to 24 months, unless we begin working together.

  • Coaching records and session notes: for the duration of our work together and 2 years afterwards.

  • Invoices and accounting records: 7 years, as required by Belgian accounting law.

Your rights

Under the GDPR you can ask me to:

  • access the data I hold about you

  • correct inaccurate data

  • delete your data

  • restrict or object to how I use it

  • give you a portable copy

  • withdraw your consent at any time (this doesn't affect past processing)

To use any of these, contact me at manahil.saeed93@gmail.com. I'll respond within one month. You also have the right to complain to the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit / Autorité de protection des données).

Security

I use reputable providers, and share your information only with those who need it. No system is perfectly secure, but I take reasonable steps to protect your data.

Children

My services are for people aged 18 and over. I do not knowingly collect data from children.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy. The latest version will always be on this page, with the date at the top.