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Privacy Policy

PRIVACY & CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

Client Confidentiality

All interactions which take place in the setting of counselling are considered confidential and will not be discussed, shared or available to any other person or organization without your written permission. This includes communication by telephone, all interactions with the counsellor/s, any scheduling or appointment notes, all session notes taken during counselling sessions by any counsellors.  In some cases, both the counsellor and session notes can be subject to subpoena by court in legal proceedings.   Please see some of these exceptions below:  

Limits to this agreement

  1. In some legal proceedings a judge may issue a court order. This may require this counsellor to testify in court.  And/or it may be that the court or a lawyer requires a copy of session notes.
  2. A court/lawyer/legal intermediary may require proof of sessions where these have been mandated and the counsellor will be required to confirm this by way of records or session notes or and/or written testimony.
  3. If, during a session, the counselee reveals or the counsellor learns of or notes concern for physical or sexual abuse or neglect of any person under 18 years of age, it must be reported to the governing authorities.
  4. If the counsellor learns of or believes that an elderly person, or disabled person is being abused or neglected, this must be reported to the governing authorities.
  5. If the counsellor learns of or believes that you are threatening serious harm to another person, the counsellor is obligated to report this to the governing authorities.
  6. If there is evidence that you are a danger to yourself and the counsellor believes that you are likely to kill yourself unless protective measures are taken, the counsellor may be obligated to seek your next of kin and/or contact person and/or notify the governing authorities and/or health authorities.
  7. If the counsellor feels threatened or believes there is a danger of harm from the counselee, regardless of reason, the counsellor can and may end the session immediately and/or seek governing authorities to assist or remove you from the practice rooms.  The counsellor is also permitted to leave immediately without notification or any communication. 
  8. As part of good practice, counsellors regularly seek outside advice or supervision as required by registration governing entities.  Please note that only session notes are verbally discussed, and no identifying information is shared.  

Privacy and how Information is Stored.

A general health service provider must comply with the relevant privacy laws that apply to clients’ health information, subject to state legislation.  Some are as follows: 

  1. the Health Records Act 2001; and

(b)     the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014; and 

(c)      the Privacy Act 1988 of the Commonwealth.

Please see these legislations online for your relative state.  Some states do not impose all or any of these. 

A copy of the CODE OF CONDUCT in GENERAL HEALTH SERVICES is readily available via electronic copy.  Should you require this, please ask and it will be sent to your email.

Electronic and Paper Information stored will generally include:

  1. Your identifying information such as name, address, phone number email, etc.
  2. Information gathered from the consent form which will include consent to counselling therapy/sessions.
  3. Next of kin or contact person in case of emergencies.
  4. Medical information pertaining to medications.
  5. Medical information pertaining to past and present conditions – mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and/or other form and as per consent form.
  6. Credit card information where this has been granted – stored electronically only.
  7. Where 3rd parties are used to store credit card information and process credit/debit card transactions, such as STRIPE, SQUARE, or any other 3rd party processor used by the organization, the counsellor or Conscious Resolutions or its employees, cannot be held responsible for any of these 3rd party transactions and how they hold or use your information.
  8. Conscious Resolutions and the counsellor/s endeavour to maintain electronic information safety by ensuring software is up-dated regularly and anti-virus software renewed as required, to ensure your information remains safe if/when stored electronically.
  9. Electronic back-up of information will be performed regularly.

Disclaimer:

Any advice or information offered or given by our counsellors is not a replacement for a doctor’s consultation, medical evaluation, or medical treatment.

You must not substitute the advice of your doctor or other healthcare provider for any information or recommendations that our counsellor/s give you.

As a result of your reliance on any information or advice the counsellor may give you, Conscious Resolutions and Kerrie Di Venosa (currently Counsellor and Sole Trader), expressly disclaims all duty for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatever sustained by you or any third person.

Consult your doctor or other healthcare provider as soon as you can if you have any particular questions or worries about any medical issue.

You should get immediate medical assistance from your healthcare practitioner if you suspect you may have any medical conditions.

You are strongly cautioned against delaying seeking medical assistance, ignoring medical advice, or stopping medical treatment as a result of the information or recommendations we offer you.

No responsibility can be held upon the counsellor if the counselee has given inaccurate, partial or intentionally limited information regarding any details of medical or other important information pertaining to and relevant to the immediate and on-going case of counselling and therapy.. 

The Counsellor and Counselee can terminate the session immediately, or at any time where they are not comfortable in the session and/or feel there is risk to either themselves or property.    

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Your privacy and confidentiality are important to us, and therefore, should you have any concerns, we would appreciate your feedback.

Counsellors are reliant upon information that is accurate and communication that is clear.  Should a counsellor note that there is information missing or inaccurate, it may limit the counsellor’s capacity to engage in suitable therapy for you.  This may also put you at risk.  Therefore, it is your responsibility to be clear and honest with the information you share to our counsellor/s.