Privacy Policy

At Rising Phoenix Counselling, your privacy is fundamental to building a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. I am committed to protecting the personal information you share with me in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and PACFA Code of Ethics.

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1. Information I Collect and Protect

To provide effective therapy, I collect and securely store:

• Personal details such as your name and contact information

• Emergency contact information

• Session notes and treatment plans

• Any relevant health information you provide

 

2. How I Use Your Information

I use your information solely for professional purposes, including:

• Providing personalised therapeutic support in a safe and professional environment

• Maintaining accurate, confidential records of our sessions

• Managing our appointments and communications

• Meeting my legal and ethical obligations as a registered therapist

 

3. Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Your privacy is my priority. While our therapeutic relationship is built on confidentiality, there are specific circumstances where I may need to share information:

• When there is serious risk of harm to yourself or others

• When legally required, such as a court subpoena or mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., child abuse, harm to self/others)

• When you provide written consent to share information

• For professional supervision purposes (identifying details are removed to ensure your privacy)

 

4. Security Commitment

I take the following measures to protect your information:

• Secure, encrypted electronic storage systems

• Strict access controls

• Secure disposal of records after the legally required retention period (7 years or longer, if required)

 

5. Online Session Privacy

For our online sessions, I ensure:

• End-to-end encrypted Zoom meetings

• No session recordings

• Guidance on maintaining privacy in your space during sessions

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6. Website Analytics 

This website uses Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled to understand visitor behaviour and improve our service. This means:

• Your IP address is partially masked before storage

• No personally identifiable information is collected

• Data is used only for website analytics purposes

• Information is stored on secure Google servers

 

7. Your Rights

I respect your rights regarding your personal information. Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you can:

• Access your records upon request

• Request corrections to any inaccurate information

• Raise concerns about privacy and confidentiality

• Request information about the deletion of records after the mandatory retention period

• File a complaint if you believe your privacy has been breached

 

8. Policy Updates

This policy is reviewed and updated as needed to reflect legal or operational changes. The latest version is always available at www.risingphoenixcounselling.com.au/privacy-policy

9. Contact Me

For any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact me:

• Email: support@risingphoenixcounselling.com.au

• Website: www.risingphoenixcounselling.com.au

• Location: Online or Surry Hills, Sydney

 

 

Priscilla Schwartzman (She/Her)
Psychotherapist & Counsellor
PACFA Registration: 29505

 

Last updated: 24/02/2025