Privacy Policy

About This Policy

With Chrissie Counselling ("we", "us", "Chrissie") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This policy applies to information collected through this website, through the booking system, and in the course of providing counselling services.

What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Your name and contact details (email address, phone number)
• Appointment and scheduling information
• Health information disclosed during counselling sessions (notes, progress records)
• Payment information (processed securely via bank transfer or card)
• Website usage data collected automatically via analytics tools

Health information is treated as sensitive information under the Privacy Act and is subject to a higher standard of protection.

The self-assessment quiz on this website is entirely anonymous — no responses are stored or transmitted.

How We Collect Information

We collect information in the following ways:

• Directly from you when you make a booking, contact us, or attend a session
• Through Microsoft Bookings (our appointment scheduling platform), which has its own privacy policy
• Automatically via Vercel Analytics when you visit this website (anonymised usage data)

Why We Collect It

We collect personal information to:

• Provide counselling services and manage your appointments
• Communicate with you about your sessions
• Process payments
• Meet professional and legal obligations (including duty of care requirements)
• Improve this website and understand how visitors use it

We will not use your personal information for any purpose you would not reasonably expect.

Storage and Security

Your personal information is stored securely. Session notes are kept in a password-protected system accessible only to Chrissie. We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access.

Health information is retained for a minimum of 7 years after the last service (or until a minor turns 25) in accordance with professional guidelines, and then securely destroyed.

Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Microsoft Bookings — your name and contact details are processed through Microsoft's platform when you make a booking
• Legal or safety obligations — if required by law, or where there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or another person
• Professional supervision — Chrissie may discuss cases with a clinical supervisor in a de-identified manner, as is standard professional practice

These exceptions will be explained to you at the start of your counselling relationship.

Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request that we correct inaccurate or out-of-date information
• Make a complaint if you believe we have mishandled your information

To make a request, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within a reasonable time, and no later than 30 days.

Complaints

If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve it. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this page, with the date of last update shown above.

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