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Changes Psychotherapy is committed to providing quality services to you and this
policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your
Personal Information. We have adopted the National Privacy Principles (NPPs)
contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which
we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. A
copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual.
Examples of Personal Information we collect include names, addresses, email
addresses, phone, and facsimile numbers. This Personal Information is obtained in
many ways including correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website
changes-psychotherapy.com, from your website, from media and publications,
from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. We
don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties. We collect your
Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you,
providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal
Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in
circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You
may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in
writing. When we collect Personal Information, we will, where appropriate and
where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we
plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion
about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions,
membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs,
membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record, or health
information. Sensitive information will be used by us only:

  • For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
  • For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
  • With your consent, or where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal
Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided
with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to
ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third
party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in several circumstances including the
following:

  • Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
  • Where required or authorised by law.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from
misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. When
your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was
obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your
Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be
stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or
correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal
Information, please contact us in writing. Changes Psychotherapy will not charge
any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing
a copy of your Personal Information. To protect your Personal Information, we
may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take
reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate,
complete, and up to date. If you find that the information we have is not up to
date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our
records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact me.