Confidentiality
Confidentiality is maintained for clients except if a person or persons are at risk, confidentiality will be waived, and the appropriate authorities or family members will be notified.
Such situations include the following:
- Self-Harm. If a client is actively suicidal and shares this information with a counsellor, the counsellor must reach out and seek help to get the client immediate resources to save his/her life.
- Threats of harm to others. If a client discloses they have plans and intent to carry out harm against an identifiable person, the counsellor must break confidentiality to protect that person.
- Child Abuse. If a client reveals that they are aware of child abuse, then counsellors – as mandated reporters – are bound to break confidentiality and report a concern of abuse to the proper authorities.
- Elder Abuse. If a client reveals knowledge of an elderly person being abused, counsellors are bound to report that allegation to the proper authorities.
- Billing. Counsellors may break confidentiality to submit your name and information to insurance or other sources for the purpose of being paid for their services. This should be discussed in the initial session to ensure no issues pertaining to payment will arise later.
- Subpoena. This is very rare, but counsellors can be subpoenaed by court to provide specific information about a first responder who is directly charged with criminal or civil violations. Counsellors can try to challenge the subpoena, which may have differing levels of effectiveness depending on the judge and/or specific state laws. If the counselor is compelled to hand over records, then it would typically include a copy of the intake paperwork, a summary letter of sessions attended and, in the worst case scenario, session notes.
Privacy Policy
Two Minds Counselling Services is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.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 include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.
This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including interviews, correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website www.twomindscounsellingservices.au, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from 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 Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
- Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
- Where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized 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.
Access to your Personal Information
You may 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.
Two Minds Business Services 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.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us in writing to 30 Annie Tce, Wasleys SA 5400 or 307 Peachy Road, Munno Para SA 5114. Alternatively you can email us at tina@twomindscounselling.au.
If you need to contact us via telephone, please call us on 0459 831 573.