Privacy Policy
Wisdom Living is a private counselling practice operating in Australia.
This policy outlines how Wisdom Living handles client personal information. Wisdom Living takes privacy seriously and is committed to complying with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
This policy applies to clients of Wisdom Living and to individuals who make contact via the Wisdom Living website.
Personal information
Personal information is any information about an individual that can be used to identify them directly or indirectly, such as name, address, phone number, email address, and date of birth.
Sensitive information is a type of personal information which includes details, for example, about a person’s racial or ethnic origins, political or religious beliefs, sexual orientation, health or genetic information, family court orders, or criminal record. The breach of sensitive information could leave people open to discrimination or embarrassment.
Why personal information is collected
The sharing of personal information by a client to Wisdom Living assists with the assessment and support of the client in processing their identified concerns. Personal information is retained to enable the provision of a relevant and informed service.
Duty of care obligations mean that a client cannot be anonymous. A client may request to use a pseudonym, however, a legal name as listed on identification documents is required for records.
How personal information is collected
Personal information is collected through a variety of means, including:
- the information you verbally share
- written communication received from you via email, text or letter
- intake and consent forms
- referrals from GPs or other treating practitioners or services
- enquiries submitted via the Wisdom Living website
Website and online enquiries
The Wisdom Living website is hosted via VentraIP and built using WordPress.
When you visit the website, limited information may be automatically collected, such as IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited. This information is used for basic website functionality, security, and performance monitoring and does not identify you personally.
If you submit personal information via the website contact form or by email, this information is used only to respond to your enquiry and is handled in accordance with this privacy policy. Standard email communication is not fully secure. Clients are encouraged to limit sensitive information shared via email.
The website may use cookies to support functionality. You may disable cookies via your browser settings if you prefer.
Telehealth services
Wisdom Living can provide counselling services via telehealth (such as secure video or telephone sessions using encrypted communication platforms) to clients across Australia.
Reasonable steps are taken to ensure telehealth platforms used are secure and privacy-compliant. Clients are responsible for ensuring they are in a private environment during telehealth sessions.
While care is taken to protect confidentiality, there are inherent risks associated with electronic communication. By engaging in telehealth services, clients acknowledge and accept these risks.
Storage of personal information
To protect the personal information held from misuse or loss, it is stored in several ways, all of which are secure and can only be accessed by approved individuals. The method of storage varies between types of information and includes both hard copies and digital versions (either on a secure server or offline).
Clinical records are stored on encrypted systems protected by secure access controls, which may include encrypted local devices and secure cloud-based storage systems used for practice administration and documentation. Access to personal information may also be available to authorised administrative personnel or practitioners operating within shared practice management systems. All such individuals are subject to confidentiality and privacy obligations. Where third-party clinical documentation or practice management systems are used, these are selected based on their compliance with Australian privacy requirements and security standards. Clinical records are retained for a minimum of seven years in accordance with professional standards and legal obligations.
Credit card or banking details are not retained once the processing of payment is finalised.
Unnecessary information is disposed of securely from time to time depending on the type of information and legal obligations.
If knowledge of a security breach occurs, it will be promptly investigated and, where appropriate, remedial action taken. Affected individuals will be notified in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Disclosure of your personal information
Personal information about you will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent, except when the disclosure is required or authorised by law, or where necessary to prevent a serious threat to life, health, or safety.
Some third-party service providers may store or process information outside Australia. Where this occurs, reasonable steps are taken to ensure compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Accessing your personal information
You may request access to personal information held about you. You may be asked to specify what information you require, and a reasonable fee may be charged for access.
All requests for access to personal information will be dealt with as required by the Privacy Act. Refusal of access may occur where permitted under the Act.
Integrity of your personal information
All reasonable attempts will be made to ensure that the personal information collected is accurate, complete, and up to date.
You may request an update or correction to personal information held about you. All such requests will be dealt with in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Complaints
If you think your personal information has not been handled in line with the Privacy Act, please contact Wisdom Living first. All reasonable attempts will be made to investigate and promptly resolve your complaint directly with you.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). For information about how to make such a complaint, please refer to the OAIC website http://www.oaic.gov.au/
Changes to this privacy policy
Contact
If you have any questions relating to privacy matters, please contact Wisdom Living via the website form or via email at info@wisdomliving.au.