You & Your Information
is Private
We are bound by a code of Ethics as well as Federal and State laws to protect your privacy
We are bound by a code of Ethics as well as Federal and State laws to protect your privacy
Being a member of accredited Industry associations means that We are bound by those ethics to follow established protocol aimed at keeping you and your information safe. We are also bound by the Victorian Health records act 2001 & the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 as well as the Federal Privacy Act 1988.
Here's a synopsis of the associations I am a member of's Ethical guidelines:
1. Professional Competence and Development
Members are required to practise within their qualifications, experience, and expertise. A commitment to continuous professional development is essential, with an expectation to engage in ongoing education to maintain a high standard of practice.
2. Informed Consent and Transparency
Therapists must obtain informed consent before initiating any treatment, ensuring clients have a clear understanding of the therapy’s nature, goals, potential risks, and benefits. Members are expected to be transparent about fees and policies upfront to foster trust and clarity.
3. Client Confidentiality
Strict confidentiality of client information is required, with disclosure permitted only if legally mandated or if the client provides explicit consent. Records must be securely stored, respecting clients’ rights to privacy.
4. Professional Boundaries
Therapists must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times, ensuring a respectful therapeutic environment. Dual relationships and conflicts of interest should be avoided to preserve objectivity and client trust.
5. Non-Discrimination and Respect
Practitioners are committed to treating clients equitably and with respect, irrespective of clients’ backgrounds, beliefs, gender, race, age, or other personal characteristics. A respectful, non-judgemental approach is fundamental to effective therapy.
6. Ethical Advertising and Representation
All public representation, including advertising, must be accurate and honest. Members are prohibited from making false or misleading claims regarding the effectiveness of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, or related treatments. Practitioners should only use professional titles and qualifications that are true and relevant.
7. Client Welfare and Duty of Care
The welfare, safety, and best interests of the client are the foremost priorities. Therapists should take steps to ensure that treatment plans support clients’ mental and physical well-being. If a client requires services beyond the practitioner’s scope, they must refer them to an appropriate professional.
8. Record-Keeping
Practitioners are required to keep accurate and confidential records of client sessions, securely stored in compliance with privacy laws and organisational standards. Records should be factual, impartial, and accessible only to authorised individuals.
The Victorian Health Records Act 2001 governs the collection, use, handling, and privacy of health information in Victoria, Australia. It aims to protect individuals’ personal health information and ensure it is managed responsibly by health service providers and organisations. Here’s a brief synopsis:
Purpose and Scope: The Act applies to both public and private health service providers, setting out requirements for how health information is collected, stored, used, and disclosed. It covers all types of health information, including physical, mental, and emotional health data.
Collection of Health Information: Organisations are required to collect health information only when it is necessary for delivering healthcare or managing healthcare services. Individuals must be informed of why their information is being collected, how it will be used, and to whom it may be disclosed.
Use and Disclosure: Health information can only be used for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or for directly related secondary purposes with the individual’s consent. Exceptions apply if disclosure is required by law, or in circumstances where the information may prevent serious threats to health or safety.
Data Quality and Security: Health providers must take reasonable steps to ensure the information they hold is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. Adequate safeguards should be in place to protect health information from misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure.
Access and Correction: Individuals have the right to access their own health information and can request corrections if they believe the information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
Confidentiality and Privacy: The Act enforces the right to privacy, requiring health information to be managed in a confidential manner, ensuring individuals' health data remains private and protected.
The Victorian Health Records Act 2001 is essential in upholding privacy standards and empowering individuals with control over their health information while ensuring healthcare providers follow responsible information management practices.
The Australian Privacy Act 1988 establishes a framework for protecting the privacy of individuals in Australia, particularly concerning the handling of personal information by government agencies and private sector organisations. Here’s a brief synopsis:
Purpose and Scope: The Act applies to Australian Government agencies, private sector organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million, and certain smaller organisations that handle sensitive information, including health service providers. It aims to protect individuals’ personal information, including data about health, finances, and other sensitive areas.
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): The Act outlines 13 Australian Privacy Principles that govern the collection, use, disclosure, and storage of personal information, including:
Collection: Personal information should be collected only when necessary and by lawful means, and individuals should be informed of the purpose of collection.
Use and Disclosure: Information should only be used for the original purpose it was collected unless the individual consents or an exception applies, such as for law enforcement or public interest.
Data Quality and Security: Organisations must take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the data and protect it from misuse, interference, and loss.
Access and Correction: Individuals have the right to access their personal information and request corrections if it is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete.
Sensitive Information: Special restrictions apply to "sensitive information" (e.g., health, race, sexual orientation), requiring explicit consent from individuals for collection and additional protections in handling.
Cross-Border Data Transfers: When disclosing personal information overseas, organisations must ensure that the recipient complies with Australian privacy standards or that the individual has provided consent.
Notifiable Data Breaches: The Act requires organisations to notify individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in cases where a data breach is likely to result in serious harm to affected individuals.
Complaints and Enforcement: Individuals can lodge complaints about privacy breaches, and the OAIC has the authority to investigate, resolve complaints, and enforce compliance through fines and other sanctions.
The Australian Privacy Act 1988 is a key law that enforces responsible handling of personal information, empowering individuals with rights over their data while ensuring organisations maintain high standards of privacy and data security.
The Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 sets standards for the collection, handling, and protection of personal information by Victorian public sector organisations. It aims to uphold individual privacy rights and ensure data security in the Victorian government. Here’s a brief synopsis:
Purpose and Scope: The Act applies to all Victorian public sector agencies, including government departments, local councils, and contracted service providers handling personal information on behalf of these agencies. It aims to protect individuals' personal data and ensure responsible information management practices.
Information Privacy Principles (IPPs): The Act outlines 10 Information Privacy Principles that guide the collection, storage, and handling of personal information:
Collection: Information should be collected fairly, lawfully, and only when necessary for agency functions, with individuals informed of the purpose.
Use and Disclosure: Information should be used only for the primary purpose of collection unless consent is given for other uses or disclosure is legally required.
Data Quality and Security: Agencies must take reasonable steps to ensure data is accurate, complete, and secure from unauthorised access or misuse.
Access and Correction: Individuals have the right to access their information and request corrections if it is inaccurate or out-of-date.
Protective Data Security Framework: The Act mandates a Protective Data Security Framework (VPDSF), requiring agencies to develop data security plans and implement measures to protect personal information from breaches, unauthorised access, or interference.
Law Enforcement Data Security: Special provisions apply to law enforcement data, ensuring that personal information in the context of policing or law enforcement is handled securely and responsibly.
Privacy Impact Assessments: Agencies are encouraged to conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) when developing new projects or systems that involve the collection of personal information, to proactively identify and mitigate potential privacy risks.
Complaints and Enforcement: Individuals can make complaints to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) if they believe their privacy rights have been breached. OVIC has powers to investigate and enforce compliance, including issuing compliance notices and recommending sanctions.
The Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 ensures that public sector bodies in Victoria uphold high standards of privacy, data security, and transparency, helping to protect individuals' personal information in government operations.