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Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information
1. Commitment to Privacy and Confidentiality
The Psyche Counsellor is committed to protecting your privacy and managing your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and relevant state and territory legislation. We recognise your right to privacy and confidentiality, and we uphold the highest standards in handling your information.
2. Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information necessary to provide effective counselling services. This may include:
Name, address, contact details, and date of birth
Health and sensitive information relevant to your care (e.g., presenting issues, clinical history)
Information provided during sessions, via correspondence, or through our website forms
Sensitive information, such as health or racial details, is collected only with your consent or as required by law.
3. Purpose of Collection
Your personal information is collected for:
Providing and improving counselling services
Communicating with you regarding appointments and care
Maintaining accurate client records
Meeting legal and professional obligations
We will not use your information for unrelated purposes without your written consent.
4. Use and Disclosure of Information
Your information is confidential. It will only be disclosed:
With your explicit consent
When there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or others
If required by law (e.g., child abuse, court subpoena)
To communicate with emergency services if duty of care is identified
We do not sell or share your information for marketing purposes.
5. Storage and Security
Your records are stored securely, either electronically (with password protection and encryption) or in locked physical cabinets. We implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches, unauthorised access, and loss.
In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme.
6. Retention and Disposal
Client records are retained for at least seven years after the last contact, or until a client turns 25 years old if they were a child at the last contact, in accordance with state and territory laws. After this period, records are securely destroyed.
7. Access and Correction
You have the right to access and request correction of your personal information. Requests will be handled promptly, and corrections will be made where information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, as per APP 12 and 13.
8. Anonymity and Pseudonymity
You may choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym when engaging with our services, although this may affect the quality of care and our ability to provide certain services.
9. Recording of Sessions
No appointments (in-person, video, or phone) will be recorded without your written consent. Unauthorised recordings are not permitted and may breach Australian law and our terms and conditions.
10. Complaints and Concerns
If you have concerns about how your personal information is managed, please contact The Psyche Counsellor directly. We will address your complaint promptly and fairly. If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the Health Complaints Commissioner or the OAIC for further assistance.
Contact Information
For privacy-related enquiries or to request access/correction of your information, please contact:
The Psyche Counsellor
Email: info@thepsychecounsellor.com.au
This policy is reviewed regularly and may be updated to reflect changes in legislation or practice. The latest version will always be available upon request.
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