Client Confidentiality

Everything you share during our counselling/life coaching sessions and communications will be treated as private and confidential. However, there are a few variations, with your consent:

• Referral: During our sessions we may consider seeking the input of another professional. We would discuss this, and your consent would be required to proceed with this referral.

• Counsellor Professional Supervision: As part of my Australian Counselling Association (ACA) required professional supervision, I will share with my supervisor my work with you. In these circumstances the focus is on me and the effectiveness of my care of you. My supervisor is also bound by the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice, including confidentiality. 

When confidentiality would be broken

Although rare, there are a few exceptions as to when confidentiality would be broken, without your consent:

1.    If you indicate that you are at risk of harm.

2.    If you indicate that someone else is at risk of harm.

3.    If I am required by law to do so.

In such cases this may involve contacting my supervisor, your doctor, emergency services, or other relevant parties.

Where possible I would discuss these matters with you, but ultimately my response would focus on my duty of care and ethical responsibilities.

Privacy and Client Records

 To assist in my care of you, I will at times take notes and store these on a hard-copy file. Your file will be kept secure in a locked cabinet and will be allocated a number with no identifying name on the external cover or tabs.

Five Sparrows will keep minimal records electronically, although we may use various online communications, such as email, Zoom, and virtual platforms for our sessions.

Five Sparrows uses a range of internet security measures, including password protected documents. However, please be very discerning and cautious when sending any sensitive material electronically. When doing so, it may be wise to password protect your documents with a complex password and inform me of this in a separate communication.