Privacy Policy & Confidentiality

A privacy policy should describe how you collect, process, and share the personal information of your website visitors. It helps to build trust in your business and for you to stay compliant with applicable privacy laws. You are solely responsible for the legality of this document. 

Aim

The aim of counselling is to talk about matters concerning you to achieve clarity, insight, improvement, development and resolution. My role as a counsellor.  is to provide you with a safe, secure, supportive and confidential space and to assist you through this process in trust in a non-judgemental manner.

Code of Ethics

The counsellor is a registered member of ACA, PACFA, and ARCA and aligns with the ethics and code of conduct of these professional associations.

Confidentiality

Everything discussed in counselling sessions is kept private and confidential. I am extremely discreet. Doxy is promoted as an encrypted telehealth platform.

There are three exceptions to this: if you are talking of harm to yourself, harm to others or from others, or about a serious unresolved crime, then we will discuss an approach given my legal obligation for safety for disclosure to authorities. Second, if my notes are subpoenaed or called upon through a Court process. Thirdly, there may be occasions where I deidentify you and, as part of my professional registration requirements, discuss my counselling with my Clinical Supervisor. 

Records

Records are held confidentially and safely in either electronic soft or paper hard copy formats. Two sets of professional records are kept: Client Record, which is administration information, and Clinical Record with counselling notes, which may include mental health and medical information that you have provided. 

Referrals

When you have been referred to the counselling service by a health professional for example, a GP, doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, hospital or agency) or you want me to convey information to your health professional, with your permission, I would email acknowledgement to the service and may provide a brief clinical assessment.

Fees

Session fees are $140 and are payable when booking your session. This will secure a counselling session at the time you want. Fees are paid by payID or bank transfer.

The fee of $140 is based on up to 1 hour sessions, and longer sessions are available on a different fee structure.

Sessions

• A counselling session is up to 1 hour in duration.

• Sessions are usually held weekly, in the beginning and then may move to fortnightly.

• Sessions are via an online telehealth platform accessed on your mobile phone, computer, tablet, or iPad. 

. For your session, simply click the link https://doxy.me/helenmurphy or phone.

• 48 hours’ notice is required to reschedule or cancel a session unless an emergency.

Out-of-session therapy activities

• At times, the counsellor may suggest therapy-related tasks for you to perform between sessions, referred to as out-of-session therapy activities. These activities are voluntary and optional and, with consent, will be emailed to you They are NOT compulsory homework work. 

Cancellation, Non-Attendance, and Late Arrival

Sessions can be rescheduled where there is 48 hours or more notice.

Sessions cancelled or not attended with less than 48 hours' notice are non-refundable.

Where you are late, the session will commence as soon as you arrive; however, no more than 15 minutes after the session is due to commence. When possible, the full session time will be given.

Boundaries

If the counsellor meets the client outside of the counselling, the counsellor may acknowledge the client. However, the nature of the relationship will remain confidential.