In this policy, “us,” “we,” or “our” means Sonia Scussel, the owner and operator of Build Your Safe Space Counselling's website.

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Build Your Safe Space complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including subsequent amendments that extend privacy obligations to the private sector, as well as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Practice, when handling personal information.

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We take the protection of your personal information seriously. Personal information includes any information or opinion, whether true or not, about a person who is identified or whose identity can reasonably be established.  

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Further information on these principles is available on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-law/privacy-act/australian-privacy-principles and https://www.theaca.net.au/documents/ACA-Code-of-Ethics-and-Practice-Ver16.pdf

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Collection:
We collect personal information to arrange appointments, deliver counselling services, and communicate with you. We may collect information through our client intake and consent forms or during counselling services in consultation and treatment of clients.

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We collect personal information:

• From clients– when they register an enquiry, book an appointment, attend our practice, access our Website, subscribe to our newsletter, and/or at any other time while providing counselling services.;

• From third-party service providers – when they are engaged to supply services to us, provide information to us or invoice us for the provision of services;

• When we receive enquiries through the Website and when the Website is otherwise
  accessed or used;

• When we receive enquiries via email or telephone.

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​The kind of personal information we may collect will depend on who you are (e.g., a client or third-party service provider) and the nature of your interaction with us, and may include your full name, address, email address, date of birth, billing information, general appointment information, and other personal information.

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If you do not provide all the information we request, we may be unable to deliver the counselling services.

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We collect health information in order to provide counselling services:

We collect health information from clients when they attend our practice to arrange appointments and obtain counselling services, ensuring a degree of safety in the event of an emergency. Some personal information we collect may include health information and next-of-kin details. How your health information is dealt with is outlined in greater detail below.

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The health information we collect enables us to arrange the provision of counselling services, assess clients' needs for counselling, and generally assist in optimising the quality of our service.

Consent:

By engaging us or registering your details on our Website or by email or telephone, and/or using the Website or completing a client consent form or otherwise engaging our counselling services, you consent to us using and disclosing your personal information (including health information) for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy.

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Use:

We may use any personal information collected (excluding health information) to provide our counselling services, operate the Website, sign you up to our newsletter, respond to feedback and complaints, communicate with third-party service providers or, if needed, enforce our Client Consent Form with you.

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If you are a third-party service provider, we will use your personal information to communicate with you, including accepting your offer to provide services, corresponding with you regarding the provision of services, and paying your invoices.

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Health Information:

We comply with the Health Privacy Principles and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) in the collection, use and disclosure of all health information and to ensure that all Health Information is kept strictly confidential.

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We may collect your health information when you attend our practice and/or at any other time from time to time while arranging the provision of counselling services.

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We may also collect your health information:

• As necessary for the provision of counselling services, including recording personal information and Health Information which is relevant to your current situation for the purposes of assessment, treatment planning, and the provision of counselling services;

• only as necessary for the provision of counselling services, or as otherwise in accordance with your consent, or as may be required by law, including Court order;

• only from our clients (or from someone authorised by them) (including a caregiver if you have one);

• we take reasonable steps to ensure your health information remains confidential and is only disclosed in accordance with this Privacy Policy, applicable law, and the ACA Code of Ethics.

• with accuracy, on the basis that you may at any time request a copy of the Health Information that we hold by emailing us at sonia@buildyoursafespace.com (subject always to applicable law) and where our records are found to be inaccurate, we will rectify any inaccuracies based on the further information you provide. A fee may be charged.

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Disclosure and sharing:

We will only disclose personal information to additional third parties with your consent in accordance with this Privacy Policy or if permitted or authorised to do so by law.

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Data security and quality:

We will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we collect and hold from misuse, loss, interference, and unauthorised access and modification, and to ensure it is accurate, complete, and up-to-date when we collect, use, or disclose it.

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To assist us, please ensure you provide us with your correct details, and let us know if you believe the information we have about you is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading (and we will take reasonable steps to correct the information).

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We may take steps to destroy or permanently de-identify information when it is no longer needed for any purpose for which it may be used or disclosed.

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We may retain and use de-identified information. On termination of the service, personal information will be held securely and disposed of when the information is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and in a manner specified by the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice https://www.theaca.net.au/documents/ACA-Code-of-Ethics-and-Practice-Ver16.pdf

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Access, correction and complaints:

You can request, and we will provide you with access to, any personal information we hold about you (including any Health Information, subject to any applicable legal exceptions).

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Please also let us know if you have any concerns or complaints about the way we are handling your personal information so we can address them.

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Requests should be submitted by email to sonia@buildyoursafespace.com

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Where our records are found to be inaccurate, we will promptly rectify any inaccuracies based on the further information you provide.

 

Changes to this Privacy Policy:

This Privacy Policy forms part of the agreement between you and us (either in your capacity as a client or a third-party service provider). We may, from time to time, amend this Privacy Policy, in whole or part, at our sole discretion.

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Safety disclaimer:

Information on this website, including blog articles, is intended for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological, or crisis support.

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Emergency

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If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm, or you are concerned about your safety or the safety of another person, please seek immediate assistance by calling:

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• EmergencyServices 000

• Suicide Call Back Service  1300 659 467

• Lifeline on 13 11 14 

• Contacting your GP

• Attending your nearest hospital emergency department

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If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or Terms of Use, or if you wish to request access to your personal information, correct or update your details or raise any privacy concerns you may have, please contact us at sonia@buildyoursafespace.com