Your privacy matters to me. As a counselling practice, I handle sensitive personal information, and I take that responsibility seriously. This policy explains what information I collect, how I use and protect it, and your rights in relation to it.

​

Wildwood Counselling & Psychotherapy ("Wildwood", "I", "me", "my") is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Because counselling is a health service, these obligations apply to my practice regardless of its size.

 

What information I collect

 

Personal information: your name, contact details (email, phone, address), date of birth, emergency contact details, and payment and billing information.

​

Health information: information you share with me in the course of counselling, including your reasons for seeking support, personal and health history, session notes I keep as part of providing a professional service, and any reports or correspondence relating to your care. Health information is classed as sensitive information under the Privacy Act and receives a higher level of protection.

​

Website information: if you use the contact or booking forms on this site, the information you enter is collected so I can respond to you. Like most websites, this site (built on Wix) also collects some technical data automatically through cookies, such as browser type and pages visited. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

​

Newsletter: if you subscribe to my mailing list, I collect your name and email address for that purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email.

​

How I collect it

 

Wherever possible, I collect information directly from you — through website forms, intake paperwork, and our sessions together. Occasionally I may receive information from a third party, such as a referring practitioner or, with appropriate consent, a parent or guardian.

​

Why I collect it

 

I collect and use your information to provide counselling and psychotherapy services; to manage bookings, communication, and billing; to keep accurate clinical records as required by law and my professional obligations; to engage in clinical supervision (see below); and, if you've subscribed, to send you my newsletter.

​

I will not use your information for any other purpose without your consent, unless required or permitted by law.

​

Confidentiality and its limits

 

What you share with me in counselling is confidential. There are, however, some circumstances where I may be legally or ethically required to disclose information:

• If I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or to someone else

• If the law requires it, such as mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, or a court order or subpoena

• If you give me written consent to share information with someone, such as your GP or another health professional

 

Clinical supervision — like all ethical counsellors, I engage in regular clinical supervision to ensure the quality of my work. When I discuss my work in supervision, clients are not identified, and my supervisors are bound by their own professional confidentiality obligations.

​

Who else may handle your information

 

I use a small number of trusted service providers to run my practice, and some of your information passes through their systems:

• Wix — hosts this website, its forms and bookings, and my email newsletter. Wix stores data on servers that may be located overseas.

• Google Meet — used for online sessions. Sessions are not recorded. Google may store data on servers located overseas.

• Rounded — Australian accounting software used for invoicing and bookkeeping.

 

I choose providers with appropriate security practices, and each is governed by its own privacy policy. Where information is stored overseas, I take reasonable steps to ensure it is handled consistently with Australian privacy law. I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone.

 

How I store and protect your information

 

I take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access. Clinical records are kept securely with access restricted to me. Electronic records are protected by passwords and, where available, two-factor authentication.

​

Health records are retained as required by law — generally for at least seven years after your last contact with me, or, for clients under 18, until they turn 25. After the required retention period, records are securely destroyed.

​

In the unlikely event of a data breach likely to result in serious harm, I will notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

 

Anonymity

 

You are welcome to browse this website without identifying yourself, and you may make a general enquiry anonymously or under a pseudonym. To provide counselling services, however, I do need to know who you are.

 

Access and correction

 

You may request access to the personal information I hold about you, and ask for it to be corrected if it is inaccurate or out of date. Requests can be made in writing to info@wildwoodcounselling.com.au. I will respond within a reasonable time. In limited circumstances, access to some health information may be declined where the law permits — for example, if access would pose a serious threat to someone's health or safety. If that happens, I will explain why.

 

Complaints

 

Feedback is encouraged and always welcomed. If you have a concern, please contact me first so I can try to resolve it with you directly. All complaints will be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.

 

If for any reason you do not feel comfortable doing this, there are other avenues available to you. If your complaint is about privacy and your personal information, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or www.oaic.gov.au.

 

If you have any concerns about the competence and professionalism of the service provided, you can contact the Australian Counselling Association on 1300 784 33.

​

Changes to this policy

 

I may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this page.

 

Contact

 

Questions about this policy or your privacy can be sent to info@wildwoodcounselling.com.au.

​​

​

Last updated: 04 July 2026