Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 10/1/2025

The Institute for Reformed Biblical Counseling (“IRBC,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our websites and services.

This policy applies to:

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

  • Information you provide directly:
    • When you complete forms on our website (e.g., contact forms, donations, counselor applications, or renewals).
    • When you register for and use the Counselor Portal (including education, exams, supervision, and renewal).
  • Automatically collected information:
    • Standard server logs (IP address, browser type, operating system).
    • Website usage data collected through Google Analytics (e.g., pages visited, time on site, referring websites). Google Analytics collects data using cookies and similar technologies.
  • Payment information:
    • If you make donations or pay fees through our websites, payment information is processed securely by our third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe). We do not store full credit card numbers or other sensitive financial data on our servers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected to:

  • Provide and manage our counseling certification and renewal processes.
  • Communicate with you about your account, services, or inquiries.
  • Process donations, payments, and renewals.
  • Improve our websites and services through analytics.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

3. Sharing of Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share information in the following limited ways:

  • With trusted third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors, email systems, website hosting) who assist us in operating our ministry.
  • If required by law, regulation, or legal process.
  • With your consent or at your request (e.g., when you opt to make your counselor profile publicly visible).

4. Cookies and Analytics

Our websites use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Remember user preferences.
  • Track website traffic and performance via Google Analytics.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though some site features may not function properly. To learn more about Google Analytics and how to opt out, visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

5. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Sensitive information such as payment details is transmitted securely and processed by PCI-compliant providers (e.g., Stripe).

6. Your Choices

  • You can request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting us.
  • You can opt out of certain communications by using the unsubscribe link in our emails.
  • You can control cookies and analytics tracking through your browser settings.

7. Counselor Portal

If you use the Counselor Portal (portal.reformedcounseling.org), we collect additional information related to your certification process, including:

  • Personal contact and church information
  • Proof of course completion
  • Exam submissions and grading
  • Supervisor evaluations
  • Renewal forms and payments

This information is used solely for managing your certification and counselor status within IRBC.

8. Public Counselor Directory

If you are an active certified counselor, you may choose to make parts of your profile publicly visible (e.g., name, location, specialization, affiliated center). This information will appear on our public directory and map if you enable it.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our websites and services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

10. Updates to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us:

Institute for Reformed Biblical Counseling
6442 36th Avenue
Hudsonville, MI 49426
admin@reformedcounseling.org