Privacy Policy
Including Social Media & Medical Disclaimer
Privacy
I, Chele Yntema, respect your right to privacy and am committed to safeguarding the privacy of my clients, consumers, and website site visitors. I adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which I 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 Home – oaic.gov.au
This policy sets out how I collect and manage your personal information.
What is Personal Information and why do I collect it?
Personal Information is information that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information I collect include: your name, your address, your email, your phone number, any further relevant information that is ascertained in order to provide you with service.
This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including assessments, correspondence, telephone, email, via my website, Google forms, podcast interviews, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. I don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
I collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing therapy and/or other services to you. I provide information to my clients and through marketing. I may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes which are closely related to the primary purpose.
You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing or by clicking on the unsubscribe bottom at the bottom of my communication.
When I collect Personal Information, I will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why I am are collecting the information and how I plan to use your information.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information 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 me 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, I will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances I may be provided with information by third parties such as EAP counselling organisations or insurance companies if you choose to use either of these parties. In such a case I will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to me by the third party.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of 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, loss and from unauthorized access, changes or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, I 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 me for at least 7 years.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access the Personal Information I hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact me in writing.
I will not charge any fee for your access request, but may/will charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information I may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. I will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information I have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise me as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure that I can continue to provide quality services to you.
Social Media
Social media is a useful tool for connecting, marketing and sharing of business and therapeutic information with the general public. I use social media for this purpose. I do not engage in therapeutic interventions online. This document outlines my social media policy, please take the time to read it so that you are informed about how I conduct myself online.
Privacy & Confidentiality
My primary concern is your privacy and confidentiality. You are under no obligation to follow my business pages on social media. Please note that if you choose to follow me on social media, the contacts on your account will be able to see that you are linked to a counselling/psychotherapy business. I won’t ever follow you back and under no circumstances will I ever reveal that I am connected to you as your therapist.
Friending
I do not accept friend requests from current or past clients. Over the course of our therapy together, the therapeutic relationship and the boundaries that we set in therapy are paramount to your psychological safety, recovery and growth. Friending blurs these boundaries. The reason I don’t friend past clients is because once we ‘friend’ the relationship shifts and it would then become a ‘dual relationship’. These types of relationships are advised against by therapy associations in their Code of Ethics. It would therefore be unethical of me to ‘friend’ you. I take your healing journey seriously and will always keep the door open for you to return at any time in the future. If we have ‘friended’, that wouldn’t be possible.
Private Messaging
I do not accept private messages via my social media accounts. Please contact me as per our Client Contract, this is via text message or email.
Googling Clients
I don’t ever Google or search for my clients online. I believe this to be a breach of your privacy. Sometimes clients like to show me their photos or achievements via their social media pages in session – this is ok done together in session.
My Interactions Online
I adhere to my Code of Ethics regarding my online behaviour. As an owner and a member of counsellor and psychotherapist groups, under no circumstances do I ever talk about specific clients online, not even with de-identified information. I believe talking about specific clients online to be in breach of my Code of Ethics.
Online Reviews
The only search engines I have listed myself on are Google Business and therapists directories. Sometimes business directories take it upon themselves to add businesses without their permission. To maintain your confidentiality and privacy, please be aware that your details are available to the public when you leave reviews for counselling businesses. If you feel that I have breached my Code of Ethics or you are unhappy with something that has occurred in your therapy, as per our contract, I welcome you bringing any concerns to your therapy and to make use of my therapy association’s complaints procedures.
Checking In on Social Media
To maintain your confidentiality and privacy, I do not encourage you to use check-in services when visiting my practice.
Medical Disclaimer
Any information on this site or given via social media or within any communication with Chele Yntema is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read or heard. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Again, never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately. If you choose to rely on any information provided here, you do so solely at your own risk. External (outbound) links to other websites or educational material are followed at your own risk. Under no circumstances is Chele Yntema responsible for the claims of third-party websites or educational providers.
If you wish to seek clarification on the above matters, please get in touch with Chele Yntema.
