Privacy policy.
Privacy and trust are essential to ensure a safe environment for you as my client to enter into a counselling relationship. In order to provide quality assessment and therapeutic services, I will collect and record personal information relevant to your situation. If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by the Privacy Policy, Reframe Therapy may not be in a position to provide a counselling service to you.
Purpose of collecting and holding information
Any personal information gathered as part of your assessment and treatment process will be kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by myself and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary). Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, assisting me to provide a relevant and informed service to you.
Access to client information
You are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, unless relevant legislation states otherwise. If you require access to your information, please discuss this with me. Confidentiality is assured except in the following circumstances:
a. Disclosure of information to relevant persons or authorities if you report abuse, or there is a risk of child abuse
b. If it is the opinion of the counsellor that disclosure is needed to prevent a crime, or harm to another person
c. If it is the opinion of the counsellor that you may harm yourself
d. If I hear anything that leads me to believe that a minor is at risk, I am legally obliged to report it to the relevant authorities. This is in compliance with the role of Child Safety Service, to protect children and young people who are at risk of abuse or neglect. In Tasmania, the safety of children and young people is covered by the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 amended in August 2009 and December 2013.
e. Information legitimately subpoenaed by a court or disclosure is otherwise required by law.
f. You provide prior approval or you have made a request to:
provide a written report to another professional or agency. eg. a Doctor or a Lawyer, or
discuss your care with another person, eg. a Parent, Employer or Health Care Provider.
g. Information that is shared during the counsellor’s own clinical supervision or peer review. Please note that your name or any factors that identify you will not be mentioned. As part of my professional responsibility, I consult with a Clinical Supervisor regarding my practice.
I will maintain your confidentiality should we cross paths in public. Should you wish to acknowledge me or initiate a brief conversation, I am very happy to speak with you, however at no time will we speak of personal issues outside of the counselling context, outside my counselling rooms or an authorised session. It is also completely safe and acceptable for you not to acknowledge me in an effort to maintain your confidentiality.
Records
In keeping with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 (as amended in 2006) information privacy principles are observed. As part of providing a counselling service there is a need to collect and record personal information that is relevant to your healing process. Notes taken during sessions will be held securely and retained for 7 years after your last session with me, then destroyed. You may view your file at any pre-arranged time and can have a copy of it within 7 days of making the request. However, please note that therapists are allowed to withhold any notes or material believed to put you or a third party at risk. You may request to view your file however at no time may any original files be taken from my premises.
Courts may subpoena notes if you are involved in certain legal matters. You will be notified if this happens. Client information is accessible only by Lisa Harrington, or authorised personnel of the Reframe Therapy (as necessary). Files remain the property of Lisa Harrington.
Disclaimer
My assessments and counselling are based on the information you choose to share with me. While I will make every effort to assist you with the issues or problems you identify - you are in the best position to determine how relevant this information is to your situation.
As your therapist, my role is to keep you safe within the session and to assist you to process whatever comes up. Therapy is a complex process that affects everyone differently. Please feel free to discuss your reactions as we work together. Expectations may not match the actual outcome of any therapeutic session. Results vary, I do not guarantee results. You are free to stop and re-start whenever you wish, however I would appreciate being notified if you feel any session will be your last. You are free to terminate any or all sessions at any time.
Counselling at Reframe Therapy is not a replacement for medical treatment or psychiatric services. I do no treat, prescribe for, or diagnose any conditions. I will respectfully inform you immediately if, within my judgement, you would be better served by another professional or an alternative/complimentary means of reaching your goals. Nothing contained in my website or in my sessions is intended to be used as medical advice and is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Reframe Therapy does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information.