Privacy Policy
Sophie Chantel Psychotherapy
Last updated: November 2026
1. Introduction
At Sophie Chantel Psychotherapy, your privacy, dignity and personal autonomy are fundamental to the therapeutic relationship.
I recognise that seeking psychotherapy often involves sharing deeply personal, sensitive and sometimes vulnerable aspects of your life. I am committed to creating a safe, respectful and confidential environment in which your personal information is handled with care, integrity and discretion.
This Privacy Policy outlines how I collect, hold, use, disclose and protect your personal information, including sensitive health information, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and other applicable legal and professional obligations.
By engaging with my services or using this website, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to review this Privacy Policy.
2. What Information I Collect
To provide appropriate and effective psychotherapy services, I may collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for your care and the administration of my practice.
This may include:
Personal and contact information
Full name and preferred name.
Date of birth.
Residential or postal address.
Email address and telephone number.
Emergency contact details.
Relevant demographic information.
Sensitive and health information
Personal, family and relationship history.
Mental health history and presenting concerns.
Relevant physical health information.
Previous or current treatment and therapeutic support.
Medication information, where relevant.
Personal experiences, beliefs, values and circumstances shared during sessions.
Clinical observations, therapeutic reflections and progress notes.
Administrative and payment information
Appointment and attendance history.
Payment and invoicing details.
Medicare or private health fund information, where applicable.
Correspondence relating to appointments and services.
Website information
When visiting my website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including IP addresses, browser type, device information, website usage and general browsing activity through cookies or website analytics.
3. How Your Information Is Collected
Your information may be collected through:
Initial enquiry and intake forms.
Direct communication via email, telephone or website contact forms.
Psychotherapy sessions, whether in person, online or by telephone.
Appointment booking platforms.
Correspondence with you or, where authorised, other relevant professionals.
Payment and invoicing processes.
Website analytics and digital interactions.
In some circumstances, information may also be received from another person or organisation, such as a referring practitioner, with your consent or where otherwise permitted or required by law.
4. Why Your Information Is Collected
Your personal information is collected to support the provision of safe, appropriate and effective psychotherapy services.
This includes:
Understanding your circumstances, needs and therapeutic goals.
Providing appropriate assessment and therapeutic support.
Maintaining accurate clinical records.
Managing appointments, bookings and payments.
Communicating with you about your care.
Coordinating care with other professionals where authorised.
Meeting relevant legal, ethical, insurance and professional obligations.
Managing the administration and operation of my private practice.
Your information will not be collected, used or disclosed for purposes unrelated to your care or the operation of my practice without your consent, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
5. Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information
Confidentiality is an essential component of the therapeutic relationship.
Information shared during psychotherapy sessions, together with clinical notes and other personal records, will be treated as confidential.
I will not disclose your personal or therapeutic information to another person or organisation without your consent, except in circumstances where disclosure is permitted or required by law.
These circumstances may include:
Where there is a serious and imminent threat, or other serious threat, to your life, health or safety, or that of another person, and disclosure is permitted under applicable privacy laws.
Where disclosure is required by a court order, subpoena or other legal obligation.
Where disclosure is otherwise authorised or required by legislation.
Where disclosure is necessary to support appropriate care and is permitted under applicable privacy laws.
Where you have provided informed consent for information to be shared with another professional or relevant person.
Where reasonably possible and appropriate, I will endeavour to discuss any intended disclosure with you beforehand.
6. Clinical Supervision and Professional Consultation
As part of maintaining ethical and reflective therapeutic practice, professional supervision and consultation may form part of my ongoing professional development.
Where client material is discussed in supervision or professional consultation, I take reasonable steps to protect your identity and confidentiality.
Personally identifying information will not be shared unnecessarily. Where identifiable information needs to be disclosed, this will only occur with appropriate consent or where otherwise permitted by law.
7. Storage and Security of Your Information
I take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Your information may be stored electronically or in physical records, including within secure practice management systems, digital appointment platforms and professional communication systems.
Security measures may include:
Password-protected devices and accounts.
Restricted access to confidential records.
Secure electronic storage systems.
Appropriate device and software security measures.
Secure disposal of records when they are no longer required to be retained.
I regularly review my information-handling practices to support the ongoing protection of your privacy.
8. Online Sessions and Digital Communication
Where psychotherapy is provided online or by telephone, digital communication and third-party technology platforms may be used to facilitate appointments.
Although reasonable precautions are taken to protect confidentiality, no electronic communication or internet-based platform can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Clients are encouraged to:
Participate in online sessions from a private location.
Use a secure internet connection.
Protect their devices and email accounts.
Avoid accessing sessions through public or shared devices where possible.
Online sessions will not be recorded or transcribed without your prior informed consent.
9. Third-Party Service Providers
To operate my practice, I may engage third-party service providers to assist with appointment scheduling, payment processing, electronic communication, website hosting and secure information storage.
These providers may include:
Squarespace – website hosting and website functionality.
Square – appointment scheduling and payment processing.
Google Workspace – professional email and digital communication.
Other secure technology or practice management providers, where applicable.
These providers may collect or process certain personal information on my behalf as part of delivering their services.
I take reasonable steps to use reputable providers and consider their privacy and security practices when selecting services.
Some providers may store or process information outside Australia. Where this occurs, I take reasonable steps to ensure that applicable Australian privacy obligations are met.
10. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Technology
Your privacy and confidentiality are important considerations in the use of emerging technologies.
I will not knowingly enter personally identifiable client information or identifiable clinical material into publicly accessible artificial intelligence platforms for processing without appropriate informed consent and consideration of applicable privacy obligations.
Where automated transcription, AI-assisted documentation or similar technologies are considered for therapeutic or administrative purposes, their use will be subject to appropriate privacy and security considerations and, where required, your informed consent.
You have the right to ask questions about the technology used in the delivery or administration of your care.
11. Accessing and Correcting Your Information
You have the right to request access to personal information held about you, subject to applicable legal exceptions.
You may also request that inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information be corrected.
To request access to or correction of your information, please contact me using the details provided at the end of this policy.
Requests will be considered and responded to in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
In certain circumstances, access may be restricted where permitted by law.
12. Retention and Disposal of Records
Clinical records and personal information are retained for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which they were collected and to meet applicable legal, insurance and professional record-keeping obligations.
When information is no longer required to be retained, reasonable steps will be taken to securely destroy or de-identify it.
13. Website Cookies and Analytics
This website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality, understand visitor engagement and enhance the overall user experience.
Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website.
You may adjust your browser settings to restrict or disable cookies. However, doing so may affect certain website functionality.
Third-party services integrated into this website may also collect technical information in accordance with their own privacy policies.
14. Privacy Concerns and Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been collected, stored, used or disclosed, I encourage you to raise these concerns directly with me in the first instance.
I will take your concerns seriously and endeavour to address them promptly, respectfully and transparently.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 363 992
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation, professional obligations, technology or practice procedures.
The most current version will be made available on this website.
16. Contact Information
For questions, requests or concerns relating to privacy and the handling of your personal information, please contact:
Sophie Chantel Psychotherapy
Sophie Chantel
Email: hello@sophiechantel.com
Website: www.sophiechantel.com
Your privacy matters. I am committed to approaching your personal information with the same care, respect and consideration that underpin the therapeutic relationship.