Privacy and Confidentiality Policy

Privacy and confidentiality are essential for establishing a space to enable safe and effective counselling.

As a practising member of the Australian Counselling Association, I follow its Code of Ethics and Practice.

I also adhere to privacy and confidentiality requirements under relevant legislation, such as Queensland’s Mental Health Act (2000) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and its Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

Confidentiality

The content of counselling and coaching sessions with all clients will be treated as highly confidential.

As part of providing safe and competent services to client, I need to discuss aspects of my work with my clinical supervisor. In these cases, I will only use a client’s first name and not share any identifying details to protect the identity of the client.

Exceptional circumstances

I may be required to break confidentiality in the following situations:

  • If I consider a client to be at risk of seriously harming themself or someone else.

  • If a client’s counselling records have been requested by a court of law.

  • If another party or agency has requested a client’s information, and the client has agreed and provided written consent to share that information.

Clients will be advised of these potential situations in the counselling contract and verbally during the first counselling and coaching session.

Prior to releasing any confidential information:

  • I will consult with clinical supervisor, or an experienced counsellor.

  • Seek consent from the client prior to releasing any confidential information (where possible and safe to do so).

Information disclosed will be restricted to relevant information, to the appropriate people needed to alleviate the exceptional circumstances.

 

Record keeping

I will take notes during or after each counselling and coaching session to track the client’s goals, strategies used during and outside sessions, and progress achieved.

Client notes:

  • Will be stored in a private and secure location.

  • May be viewed by the client upon their request.

  • Will be kept by Quirky Quolls for a period of seven (7) years from the date of the client’s last contact with the service.

  • Will be disposed of safely after 7 years, or in the case of the counsellor’s incapacity or death.

Appointments are booked and managed through an online system. Details of appointments are confidential and password-protected.

 

Case studies

From time to time, I may use case studies in publications and presentations.

Consent would be requested from a client prior to disclosure of any information. Non-identifying information would be used to protect their identity, such as gender and age only.

(31 July 2024)