Jane Peart Counsellor & Body Psychotherapist Online Services P

Jane Peart 

Counsellor & Body Psychotherapist

Online Services

 PRIVACY POLICY

This document describes the privacy policy of Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy for the management of clients’ personal information. The service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

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Client information

Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet and electronically. Jane Peart Counselling and Body Psychotherapy uses an electronic platform called Cliniko and GoDaddy to manage client information. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the service.

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How clients' personal information is collected

A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways by Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy, including when the client makes a booking through the Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy website, when completing and returning hardcopy forms, through referrals, via email and when the client interacts directly with Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy during consultations.

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Consequence of not providing personal information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy may not be in a position to provide the service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy to deal with the client or if Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.

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Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the therapist to provide a relevant and informed service.

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Disclosure of personal information

Clients’ personal information will remain confidential and will only be seen by Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy, except when:

1. it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or

2. failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

3. the client’s prior approval has been obtained to:

a) provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or

b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third party funder; or

c) disclose the information in another way; or

d) disclose to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.

e) If you are under the age of 18 years, a parent or guardian will be notified if there are any risks to your safety or the safety of others.

A clients' personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose. In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Jane Peart Counselling & Body Psychotherapy will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. Jane may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged to me, Jane.

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform me, Jane. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.