Privacy Policy

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

Anthea Derriman Counselling is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, respect and confidentiality.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal and health information is collected, used, stored and disclosed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, where applicable.

2. Information We Collect

To provide counselling services, we may collect:

• Your name, date of birth and contact details.
• Your residential address and emergency contact information.
• Information provided through booking and intake forms.
• Relevant personal, emotional, mental health and medical history.
• Information about relationships, life experiences, faith or other matters you choose to discuss.
• Counselling session notes and relevant correspondence.

We aim to collect only the information reasonably necessary to provide appropriate counselling services.

3. How Information Is Collected

Information may be collected through:

• Online appointment bookings through Calendly.
• Client intake and consent forms through Google Forms.
• Email correspondence and website enquiries.
• Online counselling sessions.
• Information voluntarily shared during counselling.

Where practical, information will be collected directly from you.

4. How Your Information Is Used

Your personal information is collected and used to:

• Arrange and manage counselling appointments.
• Provide counselling services appropriate to your individual needs.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate clinical records.
• Communicate with you regarding appointments and care.
• Manage safety concerns and meet legal and professional obligations.

Your personal information will not be sold or used for unrelated marketing without appropriate consent.

5. Confidentiality

Information shared during counselling is treated confidentially.

Confidentiality may be limited in certain circumstances, including:

• Where disclosure is required or authorised by law.
• Where necessary to respond to a serious threat to someone's life, health or safety, as permitted by law.
• Where you provide consent for information to be shared with another professional or service.
• Where other lawful exceptions apply.

Where appropriate and safe, any necessary disclosure will be discussed with you.

6. Professional Supervision

Professional supervision may be used to support ethical and effective counselling practice.

Where client matters are discussed in supervision, identifying details will be removed wherever practicable. Any information shared will be limited to what is reasonably necessary and handled under appropriate confidentiality arrangements.

7. Storage and Security

Reasonable steps are taken to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

Counselling session notes are maintained in paper form and stored securely with restricted access.

Booking information, intake forms and correspondence may be held electronically through services including Google Forms, Calendly and email.

Access to client information is restricted to authorised purposes.

Some third-party technology providers may process or store information outside Australia. Any overseas disclosure of personal information will be managed in accordance with applicable Australian privacy requirements.

8. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may request access to personal information held about you or ask for corrections if you believe information is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Requests can be made by contacting Anthea Derriman Counselling.

Requests will be considered within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable privacy laws. In some circumstances, legal exceptions may apply.

9. Record Retention

Client records are retained for the periods required by applicable legal and professional obligations.

When information is no longer required to be retained, reasonable steps will be taken to securely destroy or de-identify it, where lawful and appropriate.

10. Privacy Concerns and Complaints

If you have questions or concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact Anthea Derriman Counselling directly.

Privacy complaints will be considered promptly and handled fairly. We will generally aim to respond within 30 days.

If you are dissatisfied with the response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au

Complaints about health services may also be directed to the Office of the Health Ombudsman in Queensland.

Website: https://www.oho.qld.gov.au

11. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in legal requirements, technology or counselling practices.

The current version will be available on this website.

12. Contact

Anthea Derriman
Master of Counselling
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Website: https://antheaderriman.com

Email: antheaderriman@gmail.com

Counselling Code of Conduct

Anthea Derriman Counselling operates in accordance with the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers applicable in Queensland.

Clients may access the Code of Conduct and information about making a complaint through the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman.

Access the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers and complaints information