This policy outlines the ongoing obligations of Be the Change Counselling in respect of how I manage your Counselling and Personal Information.

What is Personal Information and why do I collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information I collect include: names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including during counselling sessions, from intake forms and correspondence from General Practitioners, by telephone, by email, via my website www.bethechange.net.au and from third parties. I don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

I collect your Personal Information for the sole purpose of providing my services to you. I may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure.

When I collect Personal Information I will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why I am collecting the information and how I plan to use it.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information and everything you tell me is stored on an encrypted, password-protected computer.

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. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by me for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information I hold about you subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact me in writing.

Be the Change Counselling 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 may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is important to me that your Personal Information is up to date. I will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information I have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise me as soon as practicable so I can update my records and ensure I can continue to provide quality services to you.

Limits to confidentiality

Be the Change Counselling is committed to protect the privacy of clients under the Privacy Act 1988. Your information will not be provided to another individual, professional or organisation unless required by law, for example if your notes are subpoenaed as part of a legal matter or to protect someone from harm.
In the course of our business activities, we may need to disclose some of your personal information to relevant professionals. Though, this is done in collaboration with you and with your consent.

Be the Change Counselling is bound to and must disclose a communication made by a client if there are genuine concerns and they believe it is necessary for the function of upholding the legislations of the State, Commonwealth or Territory.

Be the Change Counselling is bound by the NSW Child and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and as such we are mandatory reporters for the protection of children and young people under the Keep Them Safe Framework.

Be the Change Counselling is also bound by law to report or lessen the threat of serious or impending threat to the health or life of an individual. We are also bound to report an offence, threat or intentional damage to an individual or property.

Cancellation Policy

Be the Change Counselling kindly requests that you make very effort to attend your scheduled appointment. Due to client demand, Be the Change Counselling has a strict cancellation policy. Should the unavoidable occur, please let us know immediately so we can try to fill your timeslot. If you do not attend your appointment, without notice, or cancel with less than 12 hours notice, Be the Change Counselling will issue a $50 cancellation fee and no further appointments will be made until this fee is paid.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on my website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about my Privacy Policy please contact me at:
jenni@bethechange.net.au

Acknowledgment and agreement to terms of counselling

By reading this and making an appointment with Be the Change Counselling I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the information outlined.

I understand that with my consent Be the Change Counselling, in some situations, will disclose information about me to other professionals or organisations to assist in those other organisations ability to provide me or others appropriate supports. I further understand that Be the Change Counselling will discuss any disclosure of personal information with me prior to acting.

I understand that terms of confidentiality and that there are limits to confidentiality as specified above.