Privacy Policy

Leadership Counselling Services is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal and health information.

 

What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

Personal Information

• Name, address, email, and phone number

• Date of birth

• Emergency contact details

• Payment and billing information

Health Information (Sensitive Information)

As a counselling service, we may collect sensitive information including:

• Mental health history

• Medical or psychological reports

• Session notes

• Information about your wellbeing, needs, and goals

• We only collect sensitive information with your consent, or where otherwise permitted by law.

Website and Digital Information

• IP address

• Browser type

• Website usage data

• Information collected via cookies (if applicable)

 

How We Collect Information

We may collect your information when:

• You book an appointment (online, by phone, or in person)

• You attend counselling sessions

• You fill out intake or consent forms

• You communicate with us by email, phone, or through our website

• A referring practitioner provides information with your consent

 

Why We Collect Your Information

We collect personal and health information to:

• Provide counselling and related services

• Assess your needs and deliver appropriate support

• Manage bookings, communication, and administration

• Process payments and invoicing

• Comply with legal and professional requirements

• Improve our services and website

You may choose not to provide certain information, but this may limit our ability to offer services.

 

How We Store and Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access.

Measures may include:

• Secure electronic record systems

• Password-protected files and devices

• Encrypted communication where possible

• Locked storage for paper documents

• Limiting staff access on a “need-to-know” basis

We retain information in accordance with Victorian health record laws, which generally require health records to be kept for at least 7 years, or longer for clients under 18 years old.

 

Disclosure of Information to Third Parties

We will not disclose your information unless:

• You provide consent

• It is required or authorised by law (e.g., risk of harm, court order)

• It is necessary to prevent a serious threat to life, health, or safety

• It is required for billing, accounting, or administrative processes (e.g., payment processors, practice management software)

• It is shared with other treating practitioners with your consent

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

 

Counsellor Notes and Case Records

Your session notes are confidential clinical documents. These are stored separately from administrative files and are only accessed by authorised practitioners.

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Telehealth and Online Sessions

If you participate in telehealth sessions:

• We use platforms that take reasonable security measures

• You are responsible for ensuring your own device security and privacy

• We do not record sessions unless explicitly agreed in writing

 

Access to Your Information

You have the right to:

• Request access to your personal or health information

• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

Requests can be made in writing to the contact details below.

In certain cases, access may be limited where permitted by law (e.g., when access may pose a risk to safety).

 

Website, Cookies, and Analytics

Our website may use cookies or analytics tools to:

• Improve performance

• Enhance user experience

• Understand usage patterns

You may disable cookies in your browser settings.

If we use contact forms, online bookings, or third-party services, these systems may collect information in accordance with their own privacy policies.

 

Third-Party Service Providers

We may use third-party services such as:

• Practice management software

• Email and hosting providers

• Payment gateways

• Cloud storage platforms

These providers may store data outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to ensure they comply with standards comparable to the Australian Privacy Principles.

 

Complaints About Privacy

If you have concerns about how we have handled your information, please contact us directly. We will work with you to resolve the issue.

If you are not satisfied, you may contact:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

www.oaic.gov.au

or

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC)

www.ovic.vic.gov.au

 

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or need to update your information, please contact:

 

Leadership Counselling Services

Email: info@leadershipcounsellingservices.com.au

Phone: 0408 001 350

 

 

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.