Eupraxia Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Wellness

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

1. Introduction

Eupraxia Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Wellness (shortened to Eupraxia) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, transparency, and respect. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in the course of providing online counselling and psychotherapy services.

Eupraxia is operated by Rupert Lisles-Dillow, a Certified Practising Counsellor registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Our practice is conducted in accordance with the PACFA Code of Ethics and all applicable Australian privacy legislation.

2. Legal Framework

Eupraxia handles personal and health information in accordance with:

• The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in Schedule 1 of the Privacy Act
• Applicable state and territory health records legislation
• The PACFA Code of Ethics

As a provider of health services, Eupraxia is bound by the Privacy Act regardless of annual turnover. Health information, including mental health records, is treated as sensitive information and afforded the highest level of protection under the APPs.

3. What Information We Collect

We may collect and hold the following types of personal information:

3.1 Personal and Contact Information

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone or mobile number
• Address
• Emergency contact name, relationship, and contact details
• Referral source (if applicable)

3.2 Health and Clinical Information

• Information about the reason(s) you are seeking counselling
• Your stated goals and desired outcomes for therapy
• Clinical notes and records from sessions
• Any other health-related information you share during the course of counselling

3.3 Financial Information

• Payment records related to sessions

Note: Payment processing is handled by Square. Eupraxia does not store your credit card or banking details directly. Please refer to Square’s Privacy Policy for information on how they handle your financial data.

4. How We Collect Information

We collect your personal information in the following ways:

• Directly from you via the Client Intake and Consent Form
• During the course of counselling sessions (conducted online via Doxy.me)
• Through written communications (email, SMS, or messaging platform)
• From referrers, with your knowledge and consent, where applicable

You are not obliged to provide your personal information; however, if you choose not to, we may not be able to provide you with counselling services.

5. How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used only for the purposes for which it was collected, consistent with APP 6. These purposes include:

• Providing counselling, psychotherapy, and wellness services to you
• Maintaining clinical records and continuity of care
• Processing payments for services rendered
• Contacting your emergency contact in circumstances where there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others
• Facilitating clinical supervision (in a de-identified form only — see Section 6)
• Complying with legal obligations

We will not use your information for any other purpose without your written consent.

6. Clinical Supervision and De-Identified Disclosure

As a PACFA-registered counsellor, Rupert engages in regular clinical supervision. This is an ethical and professional requirement designed to ensure the highest standard of care for clients.

During supervision, de-identified information about our work together may be discussed. De-identified means that your name and any identifying personal details are removed or altered so that you cannot be identified from the information shared. Your clinical supervisor is also bound by strict confidentiality obligations.

Beyond supervision, your information will not be disclosed to any third party without your written consent, except where required by law (see Section 7).

7. Exceptions to Confidentiality

There are limited circumstances in which your personal information may be disclosed without your consent:

• Where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person, disclosure may be necessary to prevent that harm.
• Where there are indications of abuse or neglect of a child, we are required by law to report this to the relevant state or territory authority.
• Where there are indications of abuse or neglect of another vulnerable person, a report may be required.
• Where we are required to disclose information by a court order or other lawful authority.

Where possible, we will discuss any required disclosures with you before they are made. Any mandatory disclosures are governed by the applicable state and territory legislation in addition to the Privacy Act.

8. Data Storage and Security

Eupraxia takes reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, in accordance with APP 11.

8.1 Storage

Your personal information and clinical records are stored securely on an external hard drive, encrypted with a password and stored within a lockbox. Access is restricted to your counsellor only. Any paper records, if held, are kept in a locked filing cabinet.

8.2 Retention

In line with PACFA guidelines, your records will be retained for a minimum of 7 years following our last contact, or, if you were a minor at the time of treatment, until you turn 25 (whichever period is longer). After the applicable retention period has elapsed, records will be securely destroyed.

8.3 Online Sessions

Counselling sessions are conducted online via Doxy.me. While we take reasonable steps to ensure a secure connection, please be aware that online communications carry inherent technological risks. Sessions are not recorded by Eupraxia without your explicit written consent. You are encouraged to attend sessions from a private location to protect your own confidentiality.

9. Your Right to Access and Correct Your Information

Under APP 12 and APP 13, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request that we correct any personal information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading

To make a request, please contact us using the details in Section 11. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe. In some circumstances, we may be unable to provide access to certain clinical information (for example, where it would be contrary to your therapeutic interests); if so, we will explain the reason.

10. Privacy Concerns and Complaints

If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, we encourage you to raise it with us directly in the first instance. Please contact us using the details in Section 11 and we will endeavour to resolve your concern promptly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

• Website: www.oaic.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 363 992
• Post: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001

You may also raise concerns relating to ethical conduct with PACFA:

• Website: www.pacfa.org.au

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the way Eupraxia handles your personal information, please contact:

Rupert

Eupraxia Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Wellness

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0434 932 250

Website: eupraxia.au

12. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be available on our website and/or provided to clients upon request. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

This Privacy Policy should be read in conjunction with the Eupraxia Client Intake and Consent Form.