Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Last updated: 11 Dec 2025

Your privacy and safety matter. This page outlines how I handle your personal information, what confidentiality means, and the terms we both agree to when working together.

Privacy Policy

I comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

What information I collect

To provide counselling services, I collect:

  • Your name and contact details (email, phone)

  • Emergency contact information (if you choose to provide it)

  • Session notes and any relevant information you share during counselling

  • Payment and billing information

Why I collect it

Your information is used solely to:

  • Provide effective, informed counselling support

  • Document what happens in sessions so our work builds over time

  • Communicate with you about appointments

  • Process payments and invoices

  • Meet legal and professional obligations

How I store it

Your information is stored securely using password-protected systems and encrypted platforms.

Retention: Client records are kept for 7 years as per professional standards, then securely destroyed.

Access: You have the right to access your records at any time with reasonable notice. You can request corrections if anything is inaccurate.

Who can access it

No one, except:

  • Me (your counsellor)

  • My clinical supervisor (for quality of care—discussed anonymously without identifying details)

  • Situations where disclosure is legally required (see Confidentiality section below)

I will never share your information with third parties for marketing, research, or any other purpose without your explicit written consent.

Confidentiality

Everything discussed in our sessions is confidential.

Limits to confidentiality

There are rare situations where I'm legally or ethically required to break confidentiality:

  1. Risk of serious harm: If you or someone else is at immediate risk of serious harm or death

  2. Child protection: If a child is at risk of abuse or neglect (mandatory reporting)

  3. Court order or subpoena: If required by law to disclose information

  4. Your written consent: If you authorize me to share information with someone (GP, psychiatrist, family member, etc.)

If any of these situations arise, I'll discuss it with you first wherever possible.

Terms of Service

By booking a session, you agree to the following terms:

Appointments & Attendance

Booking: Sessions are 50 minutes and conducted via secure telehealth.

Punctuality: Sessions start and end on time. If you're late, the session will still end at the scheduled time.

Technical issues: If the telehealth connection drops, we'll reconnect. If it can't be restored within 10 minutes, we'll reschedule at no charge.

Cancellations & No-Shows

24+ hours notice: Free cancellation or reschedule, no charge.

Less than 24 hours notice: Full session fee applies unless it's a genuine emergency. Use your judgment, not your guilt.

No-shows: Full session fee applies.

This policy protects both our time and keeps spots available for clients who need them.

Payment Terms

Fees: $110 per session (founding client rate).

Payment method: Credit card, debit card, or PayPal via the secure client portal.

When to pay: Invoices are sent after each session and due within 7 days.

Overdue payments: If payment is overdue, further sessions may need to be paused until your account is current.

Refunds: Sessions are non-refundable once completed. If you cancel with 24+ hours notice, no charge applies.

Your Responsibilities

  • Attend sessions from a private, quiet space where you can speak freely

  • Let me know if something isn't working or if you have concerns

  • Pay invoices on time

  • Give appropriate notice for cancellations

My Responsibilities

  • Provide competent, ethical, evidence-informed counselling

  • Maintain confidentiality except where legally required to break it

  • Respect your autonomy and pace

  • Be on time and prepared for sessions

  • Keep your information secure

Informed Consent

By booking, you confirm that:

  • Counselling is voluntary and you can stop at any time

  • You understand I'm a counsellor, not a psychologist, and Medicare rebates don't apply

  • You've read and understood the confidentiality limits

  • You understand the cancellation and payment policies

Complaints & Concerns

If you have a concern about our work together, please raise it directly with me first. I'm here to make this right.

If you're not satisfied with the resolution, you can contact:

  • Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy occasionally. Changes will be posted here with the updated date at the top.

Questions?

If anything here is unclear, ask. You deserve to know exactly how your information is handled and what you're agreeing to.

Contact: integrativecounsellingau@gmail.com