Counselling Terms of Service

Alison is a registered counsellor and active member of the Australian Counselling Association ('ACA'), committed to upholding the ethics and professional guidelines set forth by the ACA. 

The primary goal of counselling is to promote your mental health and wellbeing while enhancing your overall functioning. This safe and collaborative process is tailored to meet your needs, aiding you in exploring and reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to facilitate healing and growth. 

Please read the following Terms of Service ('Terms'). 

If you agree to the Terms, you can utilise our Counselling Service ('Service'). 

(a) We provide a complimentary 15-minute introductory phone call to discuss your needs and help you determine if our Service aligns with your requirements. 

(b) Payment for the Service is required on the day of your appointment. We accept payment via card, cash, or bank transfer. 

(c) Cancellation: You will receive an SMS reminder concerning your appointment the day before. Please give us as much notice as possible if you need to cancel. If you do not show up or cancel on the day of your appointment, you may be charged the standard consultation fee. Kindly understand that the time reserved for your appointment is dedicated solely to you, and another individual may be eager to take that slot. 

(d) Privacy in counselling is a priority for us. We adhere to the requirements specified in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records (Privacy & Access) Act 1997 (ACT) when handling your personal and health information ('Information'). The Information collected during the Service is solely used for contacting you about appointments, documenting session details, communicating with you, and improving the Service we offer you. 

(e) Data security: Your Information will always be securely maintained in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. As mandated by the ACA, the Information will be retained for seven (7) years from the last appointment date before being destroyed. 

(f) Confidentiality: Your privacy is paramount—it forms the foundation of our therapeutic relationship. Everything discussed during the session remains confidential. Information will not be shared with any third party without your prior written consent. However, there are specific limits to confidentiality, which include: 

       (i) if there is a legal obligation to disclose (e.g., court subpoena) 

       (ii) if there is an immediate and serious risk of harm to you or another person (we prefer to discuss our concerns with you first, whenever feasible). 

(g) Supervision: To uphold ethical standards and ensure best practices in counselling, we participate in regular supervision with a more experienced practitioner. Your identity will be kept confidential during these discussions of individual cases. 

(h) ***By attending an appointment and processing payment for the Service, you are agreeing to the Terms***.