Privacy and Terms and Conditions

Andy Simpson Counselling complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”) and the applicable Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act when handling personal information, together with the Health Records Information and Privacy Act 2002 [NSW] (“Health Records Act”) and the applicable Health Privacy Principles in the Health Records Act when handling personal information. Personal information includes any information or opinion, whether true or not, about a person who is identified or whose identity can reasonably be established.

 

Terms and Conditions (T & C)

 

Please read the terms of use carefully. If you agree to the Terms and Conditions (T & C) you can use the services offered. If you do not wish to be bound by these T & C, you cannot use the services offered. By making a purchase or attending a session, you are agreeing to all T & C. 

 

Ethics and Professional Guidelines

 

Andy Simpson Counselling shall adhere to the relevant professional Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct as provided by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

 

Collection

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We collect personal information for the purposes of arranging appointments and delivering counselling services as well as communicating with you. We may collect information through our website, client consent forms or in the course of counselling services with clients.

 

The kind of personal information we 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. If you do not provide us with all the information requested, we may not be able to deliver the counselling services.

 

The Health Information we collect enables us to arrange for the provision of counselling services and for the safe, appropriate and accurate provision of counselling services, to assess the needs of clients in the provision of counselling services and for us to generally assist in optimising the quality of our service.

 

Data security and quality

 

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

 

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. We may retain and use de-identified information.

 

The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security.

 

Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third-party link, You will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third-party sites or services.

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Halaxy is used for Client Management Software. Please see more information: 

 

Halaxy Telehealth is used for Online Sessions. Please see more information: 

 

Confidentiality
 

According to Counselling Professional Ethical Guidelines the personal information you discuss in counselling sessions is confidential. No information will be released without your authorisation. However, there are situations in which we are legally required to override confidentiality.  Specifically, if you reveal information that indicates a clear and immediate danger of injury to yourself or others, illegal activity, or the abuse of a child. Counsellors are also required to release records if subpoenaed by a court order.   

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Professional Supervision

 

To maintain registration as a counsellor, counsellors are required to participate in professional supervision.  Part of this process sometimes involves the presentation of clients they work with.  If your case is discussed in this forum, any personal details will be de-identified in order to protect your identity and privacy.

 

Consent

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By engaging Andy Simpson Counselling 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 collecting, using and disclosing your personal information (including Health Information) for the purposes specified in these T&C's.

 

If a young person is capable of giving their informed consent, our counsellors must obtain the young person’s consent to provide them with a counselling service and must respect their right to terminate services at any time. If a young person is not capable of giving informed consent, our counsellor will require the consent of a parent or legal guardian or authority to provide counselling services to the young person, including multiple co-signers where there is a binding legal document outlining multiple caregivers/legal guardians responsible for decisions about the child. Where there is such a legal document/s, the counsellor will ask for a copy to put on file to ensure that legal compliance is being met at all times. 

 

In Australia, a young person is considered capable of giving informed consent when “he/she/they achieve a sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable him/her/them to understand fully what is proposed” (High Court in Re Marion, 1992). Generally, we accept the age of consent as being 15 years and older. As a result, most 15–17-year-old clients are required to co-sign our Service Agreement prior to their first appointment, to indicate their consent to receiving a counselling service. In those instances, please read and/or explain these T&Cs to your young person.

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Recording Sessions

 

Consent is not given to the recording of any appointments, video and/or phone communication without written agreement by Andy Simpson Counselling. Any illegal recordings will be deemed in breach of current Australian legislation. Sessions will not be recorded by Andy Simpson Counselling unless your prior approval has been obtained.

 

Court and Legal Actions

 

To the extent permitted by law, Andy Simpson Counselling will not participate, and/or provide client notes or documents, and/or attend, and/or provide character statements, and/or submit reports for any court or legal actions you may be part of, unless this is part of the contract agreement.

 

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). Where 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 Andy Simpson Counselling (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. Any changes to this Privacy Policy will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Privacy Policy on the Website. By continuing to use the Website and/or our service following any changes, you will be deemed to have agreed to such changes. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, as amended from time to time, in whole or part, you must terminate your use of the Website and inform us immediately prior to any further receipt of counselling services.

 

Complaints
 

Should you have any concerns about the handling of your personal information or if you have a complaint, please contact Andy Simpson Counselling directly. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns. If you are dissatisfied with the response, you may contact the Health Care Complaints Commissioner (HCCC). The HCCC responds to complaints about health services and the handling of health information in New South Wales. To lodge a complaint with the HCCC: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 043 159.

 

Client Responsibility and General Information

 

It is your responsibility to arrive on time for your appointment and participate in therapy. Should you not attend your booked appointment (either through cancellation or rescheduling) the following charges will apply. For private clients, payment is required prior to the session, unless otherwise agreed to by Andy Simpson Counselling. 

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Additionally, the counsellor will cease service in the event the counsellor is experiencing difficulty with one or both parents and/or caregiver. Such difficulties include but not limited to non-engagement, excessive communication, derogatory comments, hostility, rudeness, sharing/discussing matters about the other parent or stepparent, discussing their own separation/divorce or own legal or financial matters. By engaging with Andy Simpson Counselling, you acknowledge and agree you have the legal right, as per any legal documents to make these appointments.

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Fees

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The standard fee for a 50–60-minute counselling session is $155. Includes clients funded by an organisations including NDIS.

 

The concession fee for a 50–60-minute counselling session is $130. We are very willing to offer our concession rate to those who hold a government concession card. 

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Please Note: Completion of reports/phone calls/parent appointments/attendance at school meetings are $155 per hour.

 

Unless otherwise arranged with Andy, payment will be required on day of appointment. These fee terms are subject to change without notice.

 

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Further Rights

 

In addition to your right to confidentiality, you have the right to end your counselling at any time, for whatever reason and without any obligation, with the exception of payment of fees for services already provided.

 

You have the right to question any aspect of your service with Andy Simpson Counselling. You also have the right to expect that we will maintain professional and ethical boundaries by not entering into other personal, financial, or professional relationships with you.

 

Andy Simpson Counselling reserves the right to discontinue services at any time including, but not limited to, a violation by you of the T & C’s; a change or re-evaluation by Us of your therapeutic needs; our ability to address those needs, or other circumstances that lead Us to conclude in our sole and absolute discretion that your counselling needs would be better served at another service. Under such circumstances, We will suggest an appropriate and supportive way for you to move forward.

 

Contact outside of appointment times

 

There may be times when something comes up for you outside of your appointment times.  You can contact Andy via email or phone however if he is in session or it is outside business hours, he may not be able to get back to you immediately. Phone calls that are within a fifteen-minute time span will not attract any fees and will be considered part of the service, within reason. Phone calls that go over fifteen minutes will be considered as an appointment and a fee for service will be charged at the hourly rate.

Clients should ensure that they have information about the emergency support services available in their local area.

 

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Terms & Conditions

 

The following Terms and Conditions (T&C’s) are in response to the Coronavirus/COVID –19 pandemic.

 

You acknowledge the contagious nature of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 and that Government guidelines recommend practicing social distancing. You further acknowledge that Andy Simpson Counselling has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus /COVID-19.

 

You also acknowledge that Andy Simpson Counselling cannot guarantee you will not become infected with the Coronavirus/Covid-19. You assert that you understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to, practice staff, other practice clients and their families/friends/associates.

 

You voluntarily seek services provided by Andy Simpson Counselling and acknowledge that you are increasing your risk of exposure to the Coronavirus/COVID-19. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with all set procedures to reduce the spread while attending any appointments.

 

You attest that:

• You are not experiencing any symptom of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.

• You have not travelled internationally within the last 21 days.

• You have not travelled to a highly impacted area within Australia in the last 21 days.

• You do not believe you have been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of the Coronavirus/COVID-19.

• You have not been diagnosed with Coronavirus/Covid-19 and not yet cleared as non-contagious by federal, state or local public health authorities.

• You are following all Federal/State/Local Government recommended guidelines as much as possible and limiting exposure to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.

 

You hereby release and agree to hold Andy Simpson harmless from, and waive on behalf of yourself, your heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to yourself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from Andy Simpson Counselling.

 

You understand that this release discharges Andy Simpson, from any liability or claim that you, your heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the practice with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from Andy Simpson. This liability waiver and release extends to the practice together with all owners and employees.

 

Contact us

 

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or Terms and Conditions, or if you wish to request access to your personal information, correct or update you details or raise any privacy concerns you may have, please contact Andy Simpson Counselling.