1. What the badge is. The "Verified Counsellor" badge is a digital mark provided to current members of WhatCounsellor. The standard badge is an embedded element served live from whatcounsellor.co.uk that links to the member's listing. It exists so the public can click through and see the member's live verification status, dates included.
2. Licence. While your membership is active and in good standing, WhatCounsellor grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to display the badge on your own website, email signature, social profiles and printed practice materials, in connection with your own counselling practice only.
3. Approved form. The badge must be used in the form provided (the official embed code or official artwork files from your dashboard), without alteration to its wording, proportions or colours, and without being combined with other marks in a way that changes its meaning. The embedded badge must keep its link to your listing intact.
4. What the badge means, and what you must not imply. The badge means: this practitioner's counselling qualification and insurance document have been checked by WhatCounsellor, with dates shown on their listing, along with any professional body membership they state. You must not present the badge as meaning anything more: not a government or NHS endorsement, not a licence, not proof of clinical skill, and not an award. You must not use the words "regulated", "licensed" or similar next to the badge in a way that implies official status.
5. Where it may not be used. The badge must not be used: on websites or materials for services you do not personally provide; by practices or employers to imply that unverified staff are verified (each practitioner needs their own membership); in any misleading context; or in paid advertising in a way that implies WhatCounsellor endorses the advertisement.
6. Automatic expiry. The embedded badge is served live. If your membership lapses, is suspended or is removed, the served badge automatically stops displaying verified status (it switches to a grey expired state) and its link resolves to a page stating that the listing is not currently active. You acknowledge that this is how the badge works and that it is essential to what the badge means.
7. Mandatory removal on lapse. If your membership lapses or ends for any reason, you must remove all static uses of the badge (downloaded images, screenshots, printed materials, email signature graphics, social media images) within 7 days. Continuing to display the badge, or to describe yourself as a Verified Member of WhatCounsellor, after your membership has ended is a misrepresentation to the public. We check, and we treat continued use as a matter for the Complaints Procedure and, where necessary, for further action.
8. Printed materials. Because print cannot expire automatically, printed use of the badge should always be accompanied by your listing number, so the public can check your live status at whatcounsellor.co.uk/check. Do not commission long-life printed materials (for example signage) bearing the badge unless you intend to maintain your membership; you remain responsible for withdrawing printed materials if your membership ends.
9. Ownership. The badge, the name "WhatCounsellor" and associated marks remain the property of Truly Empowered Ltd. Nothing in these terms transfers any ownership to you.
10. Revocation and changes. We may revoke badge permission on breach of these terms, on suspension, or on removal from the directory. We may update the badge design or these terms; members are given notice through the dashboard and by email, and updated artwork replaces old artwork within 30 days for static uses.
11. Non-members. Any use of the badge, or of wording implying membership, by a person who is not a current member is unauthorised and will be pursued.