Privacy Policy | Joshua Cornell Counselling

Last updated: September 2026

Joshua Cornell Counselling ("we", "us", "I") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and safeguard it, and your rights. We handle your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and in line with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Practice.

In short: what you share with us stays confidential. We only collect what we need to support you, we never sell your information, and you can ask to see or correct it at any time.

The information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

Contact details — your name, email, and (if you provide it) phone number, when you send a message or request a session.
Booking information — the session type you choose, preferred times, and any notes you add when booking online.
Health and personal information — the things you choose to share before, during, and after counselling sessions, including case notes we keep as part of your clinical record.
Technical information — basic, non-identifying data your browser and our hosting provider generate (such as page requests), used only to keep the website secure and working.

Sensitive information

Counselling and health information is classified as sensitive information under the Privacy Act and is given a higher level of protection. We only collect it with your consent and only where it is reasonably necessary to provide you with counselling support.

How we collect it

We collect information directly from you — through the contact and session-request forms on this website, through our online booking system, and during your sessions. Where possible, we collect it straight from you rather than from third parties.

How we use your information

To respond to your enquiry and arrange a suitable time.
To provide, manage, and follow up on your counselling sessions.
To keep accurate and secure clinical records, as required by professional and legal standards.
To send you appointment confirmations and reminders you've asked for.

We do not use your information for advertising, and we never sell or rent it to anyone.

Who we share it with

Your information stays confidential. We only share it in limited, necessary circumstances:

Our booking & practice-management provider (Cliniko) — used to manage appointments and clinical records. Your information is stored securely on Cliniko's Australian servers. See Cliniko's privacy policy.
Our website form provider — messages you send through the website are delivered to us by email via a secure form service.
Our website host — the site is served through a secure hosting provider that processes only basic technical data.

Limits to confidentiality. In keeping with the ACA Code of Ethics, confidentiality may be broken only where there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or another person, where required by law or a court order, or with your explicit consent. Wherever possible, we will discuss this with you first.

How we protect it

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access — including storing clinical records within a secure, access-controlled system and using encrypted connections for this website. No system is perfect, but we treat your information with the care it deserves.

Accessing and correcting your information

You have the right to ask what personal information we hold about you, to request a copy, and to have it corrected if it's inaccurate or out of date. Just email us and we'll help. We may need to verify your identity first.

How long we keep it

We keep clinical records for as long as required by professional and legal obligations (generally a minimum of seven years for adult clients, and longer for records relating to minors). After that, records are securely destroyed or de-identified.

Cookies & analytics

This website uses minimal cookies and does not track you for advertising. Any basic analytics are used only to understand how the site is used and to improve it.

Making a complaint

If you have a concern about how your information has been handled, please contact us first — we'll take it seriously and work to resolve it. If you're not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with its "last updated" date.

Contact us

Questions about your privacy? Email josh@joshuacornellcounselling.com.au.

Joshua Cornell Counselling · ABN 79 257 977 161 · ACA Registered Member (MACA) #87023, Level 2 · Telehealth, Australia-wide.