Thank you for visiting the Holding Compassion website (https://www.holdingcompassion.com.au/). We value your privacy and want you to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Holding Compassion ("we," "our," "us," or "HC") values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) ("Privacy Act"), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) ("Health Records Act"), and the applicable Privacy and Health Privacy Principles when handling your personal information and health information.

Consent: By engaging with us through our Website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information (including health information) for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy.

Cookies: Our Website may use "cookies" to store data on your computer. Cookies allow us to improve the functionality of our service and track visitor behavior. You can modify your browser settings to prevent cookie use, but this may affect the proper functioning of our Website. You have the option to modify your browser settings to prevent the use of cookies. However, please note that if you choose to do so, it may affect the functionality of our service and website, causing them to not work properly. Cookies store data on your computer and enable us to operate efficiently and track visitor behavior patterns on the website.

Collection: We collect personal information for the purpose of arranging appointments, delivering counseling services, and communicating with you. Personal information may be collected through our client consent forms, our website located at www.holdingcompassion.com.au ("Website"), or during counseling sessions with our clinicians. We collect personal information from:

Clients: when registering an enquiry, booking an appointment, accessing our Website, or subscribing to our newsletter.
Third-party service providers: when engaged to supply services to us, provide information via forms, or invoicing for services.
Enquiries and/or website visitors: when enquiries are made through the Website, via email or telephone. Our website is hosted via Square Space and their privacy policy is located here.
Contact Form: When you submit information to this website via webform, we collect the data requested in the webform in order to track and respond to your submissions. We share this information with Squarespace, our online store hosting provider, so that they can provide website services to us. We also share this information with Halaxy.com for storage and with Zapier for data porting.

The personal information we collect through may include your full name, address, email address, date of birth, Medicare details, billing information, general appointment information, and other personal details. Our clinicians may also collect your personal health information in accordance with the purposes mentioned above. It is important to provide all requested information to ensure the proper delivery of therapeutic services. Some personal information collected may include health information. We collect health information from clients attending our clinics for the purpose of arranging appointments and providing counseling services. Our clinicians collect health information to ensure the safe and appropriate provision of therapeutic services. Further details on the handling of health information are outlined below.

Use: We may use the personal information collected (excluding health information) to provide services, operate the Website, send newsletters, respond to feedback and complaints, communicate with third-party service providers, or enforce our client agreement (Client Consent Form). If you are a third-party service provider, we will use your personal information to communicate, accept services, correspond, and process payments.

Disclosure and Sharing: We will only disclose personal information to third parties with your consent or if permitted or authorized by law.

Data Security and Quality: We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, and modification. We strive to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and currency of personal information. If you believe the information we hold about you is inaccurate, please inform us, and we will take reasonable steps to rectify it. We may retain and use de-identified information.

Access, Correction, and Complaints: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, including any Health Information, subject to any applicable legal exceptions. If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the handling of your personal information, please inform us so that we can address them promptly. Requests for access or complaints should be submitted via email to holdingcompassion@proton.me.

Changes to this Website Privacy Policy: This Privacy Policy is part of the agreement between you and us, whether you are a client or a third-party service provider. We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy, in whole or in part, at our sole discretion. Any changes to this Privacy Policy will be effective immediately upon the posting of the revised Privacy Policy on our website (www.holdingcompassion.com.au). Depending on the nature of the change, we may announce it on the homepage of our website or notify you by email if we have your email address. By continuing to use the website and/or our services following any changes, you will be deemed to have agreed to the revised terms of the Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the amended Privacy Policy, you must terminate your use of the website and notify us immediately before receiving any further therapeutic services.

Health Information: We and/or our clinicians may collect your Health Information when you attend our practice and/or at any other time from time-to-time in the course of arranging the provision of counselling services. We and/or our clinicians comply with local and federal legislation, the Health Privacy Principles and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Association of Social Workers' code of ethics and practice standards in the; collection, use, and disclosure of health information. All health information is treated as strictly confidential. We and our clinicians collect health information during appointments and in accordance with your consent or as required by law. Health information is recorded in client notes and only collected from clients or authorized individuals. We take precautions to maintain confidentiality and accuracy of health information.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to request access to your personal information, correct or update your details, or raise any privacy concerns, please contact us at holdingcompassion@proton.me

For further information about your privacy rights, please visit: www.privacy.gov.au.