Stepping Stones Counselling Great Ocean Road is committed to providing a private and confidential service to you, and this policy outlines my ongoing obligations to you about how I manage your Personal Information.
What is Personal Information
Personal Information is any information that identifies a person. Examples of Personal Information I need to collect includes names including surname, dates of birth, email addresses and phone numbers.
This personal information is collected when making an online booking and during your initial consultation.
Your personal information is taken only for the primary purpose of providing my service.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about things such as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record, or health information.
Disclosure of Personal Information and Sensitive Information
Your Personal and Sensitive Information may be disclosed only in the following circumstances including the following:
- If there is actual or perceived risk of self-harm, or risk of harm to others
- For the purposes of a referral for which you have given consent
- Where required or authorised by law
- If a criminal act has been committed
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored securely to protect it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, I will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. Personal Information is stored in client files for a minimum of 7 years.
Access to your Personal Information
If you need to access your Personal Information, please contact me in writing.
Stepping Stones Counselling Great Ocean Road will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information, I require personal identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate and complete. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.