The New Me Counselling Privacy Policy
At The New Me Counselling, your privacy and confidentiality are treated with the utmost importance. This Privacy Policy explains how your personal and health information is collected, used, stored and disclosed in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria), the Health Privacy Principles (HPPs), and applicable Australian privacy legislation.
1. Collection of Personal Information
The New Me Counselling collects personal and health information necessary to provide counselling services, including but not limited to:
- Name, address, date of birth and contact details.
- Emergency contact information.
- Medical, psychological and counselling history relevant to your care.
- Referral information where applicable.
- Payment and invoicing information.
- Session notes, treatment plans and progress records.
Information is collected directly from you wherever possible through intake forms, appointments, email correspondence, telephone calls or online bookings.
2. Purpose of Collecting Information
Your information is collected for the purposes of:
- Providing counselling services and support.
- Maintaining accurate clinical records.
- Communicating with you regarding appointments and services.
- Managing payments and administration.
- Complying with legal and professional obligations.
3. Confidentiality and Disclosure
Information shared during counselling sessions remains confidential except in circumstances where disclosure is required or authorised by law, including:
- Where there is a serious and imminent risk to your safety or the safety of another person.
- Where disclosure is required by a court order or subpoena.
- Where mandatory reporting obligations apply.
- Where you have provided written consent for information to be shared with another professional or service provider.
Where possible, you will be informed prior to any disclosure being made.
4. Storage and Security of Information
The New Me Counselling takes reasonable steps to protect your personal and health information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Records may be stored electronically using secure password-protected systems and, where applicable, in locked storage facilities accessible only to authorised persons.
5. Access to Your Records
You may request access to your personal information or health records at any time by contacting The New Me Counselling in writing.
Requests for access will be handled in accordance with the Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria). In limited circumstances, access may be restricted where permitted by law.
6. Correction of Information
If you believe any information held by The New Me Counselling is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, you may request that the information be corrected.
7. Retention of Records
Client records are retained for the minimum period required under applicable legislation and professional obligations.
Adult client records are generally retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of the last appointment.
Records relating to clients under 18 years of age are generally retained until the client reaches 25 years of age.
After this period records may be securely destroyed or permanently de-identified in accordance with legal requirements.
8. Website and Online Services
The New Me Counselling website may collect non-identifiable information such as browser type, pages visited and website usage statistics to improve website performance and user experience.
If you submit an enquiry through the website contact form, the information you provide will only be used to respond to your enquiry and provide requested services.
9. Complaints
If you have concerns regarding the handling of your personal information, please contact The New Me Counselling in the first instance.
If your concerns cannot be resolved, you may contact the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner.
10. Contact Details
The New Me Counselling
Ana Andric
Email: thenewme.c@hotmail.com
Phone: 0415 201 206
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation or practice requirements.