Your privacy, plainly

Confidentiality matters. This policy explains how your information is handled - both when you make an enquiry through this website, and in counselling with me.

Making an enquiry through this website

When you make a confidential enquiry through this website, your message is sent directly to me by email. It isn’t added to a database or a mailing list, and it isn’t shared with anyone else. This website uses no tracking or advertising cookies.

Privacy

Australian Government Privacy Legislation applies to personal information collected about an individual that could be used to identify them directly or indirectly.

Confidentiality

Your right to privacy encompasses confidentiality. Information discussed during our sessions is confidential and may not be shared with anyone without your written permission except when I am legally obliged:

• to report a serious and imminent threat to the life, health or property of yourself or another
• to report any abuse or neglect experienced by a young person under the age of 18 years, and/or
• to release client records when required by court order.

Confidential records

Confidential written records are maintained to reflect the issues and goals identified in counselling sessions and are kept securely for seven years.

I may use Heidi to take notes; it complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and Australian privacy principles, as well as PACFA’s code of ethics. I record the notes under your first name only and then the record is deleted after the necessary information from your session is placed into my notes for the session. Heidi will delete any remaining notes three days after your session. You have the right to decline my use of Heidi during our session.

Supervision

I have an ethical responsibility to reflect on my counselling practice. As part of this professional reflection, I may discuss my work with you with my clinical supervisor. In such situations, content presented is de-identified.