Privacy Policy

This policy outlines the way in which Inner Seasons Counselling handles the personal information of our clients. We take privacy seriously and are committed to complying with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

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

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including:

  • the information you verbally share with us

  • written communication received from you via email, SMS or letter

  • our online booking system

  • our intake form

  • the guardian of those under 18 years of age

  • our website www.innerseasonscounselling.com.au

  • referral from another treating practice or service

  • other publicly available sources

  • cookies and from third parties

We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We 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. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

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

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things 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.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

  • For the primary purpose for which it was obtained

  • For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose

  • With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of your Personal Information

We will not disclose personal information about you to third parties without your consent, except when the disclosure is required by law.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects 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, we 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 us for a minimum of 7 years.

Accessing your Personal Information

You may request to access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

Inner Seasons 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 we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an 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, complete and up to date. 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.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may make changes to this Privacy Policy from time to time and in such cases, we will notify clients by email and on our website.

Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any complaints or concerns about our Privacy Policy please send an email to: sharon@innerseasonscounselling.com.au

If you have any queries, please call 0431 419 279.

You may also contact the:

  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or call the OAIC on 1300 363 992.

  • Health ombudsman in your state.