Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you engage with our family therapy services, we collect information that you voluntarily provide to us. This includes basic contact details, therapy session notes, family history relevant to treatment, and any other information you share during our therapeutic relationship.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information. This helps us understand how our site is being used and allows us to improve your experience. We collect IP addresses, browser type, device information, and pages visited.

How We Use Your Information

The primary purpose of collecting your information is to provide you with effective family therapy services. We use your data to conduct therapy sessions, track treatment progress, coordinate care when appropriate, and maintain the therapeutic relationship.

Therapeutic Purposes

Administrative Purposes

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We maintain strict confidentiality standards and only share your information in specific circumstances. Most sharing requires your explicit written consent, though there are limited exceptions required by law or necessary for your safety.

With Your Consent

We may share your information with other healthcare providers, family members, or support services when you've given us written permission to do so. This often happens when coordinating care or involving family members in your treatment plan.

Legal Requirements

Australian law requires us to disclose information in certain situations without your consent. These include reporting suspected child abuse, when there's an imminent threat of harm to yourself or others, or when ordered by a court.

Service Providers

We work with trusted service providers who help us deliver our services, such as secure cloud storage providers, appointment scheduling systems, and payment processors. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and can only use your information for the specific services they provide to us.

Data Security and Protection

Protecting your sensitive information is one of our highest priorities. We use multiple layers of security measures to safeguard your data, both in digital storage and physical records.

Technical Safeguards

Physical Safeguards

Your Rights and Choices

You have significant control over your personal information and how we use it. Understanding these rights helps you make informed decisions about your privacy and our therapeutic relationship.

Access and Review

You have the right to access and review your therapy records. We encourage open communication about your treatment, and you can request copies of your records at any time. We'll provide these within 30 days of your request, though we may charge a reasonable fee for copying and administrative costs.

Correction and Amendment

If you believe any information in your records is incorrect or incomplete, you can request corrections. We'll review your request and make appropriate changes to ensure accuracy. If we disagree with a requested change, we'll explain why and document your concerns in your file.

Restricting Use

You can request restrictions on how we use or share your information. While we'll consider all reasonable requests, we may not be able to agree to restrictions that would interfere with your treatment or our legal obligations.

Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your information for specific periods based on professional standards and legal requirements. Understanding our retention practices helps you plan for the long-term management of your personal information.

Therapy Records

Clinical therapy records are retained for a minimum of seven years after our last contact, as required by Australian professional standards. This ensures continuity of care if you return for services and meets legal requirements for record keeping.

Administrative Records

Contact information, appointment records, and billing information are typically retained for seven years for tax and business purposes. Payment card information is never stored – all financial transactions are processed through secure, certified payment systems.

Website Data

Technical website data like IP addresses and browser information is automatically deleted after 12 months. This data is only used for security monitoring and website improvement purposes.

International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process your information within Australia using local service providers. However, some of our technology partners may process data internationally. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

Data Residency

Your therapy records and personal health information are stored exclusively on servers located within Australia. This ensures compliance with Australian privacy laws and keeps your most sensitive information within local jurisdiction.

International Service Providers

Some website functionality and communication tools may use international providers. When this happens, we only work with companies that meet strict privacy standards and provide adequate protection for your information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We're committed to keeping you informed about how we protect your information.

Notification Process

When we make significant changes to this policy, we'll notify current clients directly via email or during your next appointment. We'll also post the updated policy on our website with a clear indication of what has changed.

Review and Consent

We encourage you to review this policy regularly and ask questions about anything that's unclear. Significant changes that affect how we use your health information will require your explicit consent before implementation.