Privacy Policy

Last updated: 10 July 2026

This policy explains how Simone Domingues Counselling collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information and health information. The practice is committed to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and to applicable professional and ethical obligations.

1. Who we are

Simone Domingues Counselling (ABN 85 449 350 132) provides counselling services, including telehealth, from Queensland. Privacy enquiries may be sent to simonedominguescounselling@gmail.com.

2. Information we may collect

Depending on your relationship with the practice, we may collect:

  • identity and contact details, such as your name, date of birth, address, email address and telephone number;

  • appointment, referral, billing, rebate and payment information;

  • health information and other sensitive information that is reasonably necessary to provide counselling and meet our duty of care;

  • emergency contact and relevant treating-practitioner details;

  • communications, consent records, counselling notes and other records created while providing services; and

  • website information such as IP address, browser and device information, pages visited, and analytics or advertising data collected through cookies and similar technologies.

3. How information is collected

Information is usually collected directly from you through enquiries, forms, email, telephone, SMS, appointments, telehealth sessions and other communications. With your consent, or where permitted or required by law, information may also be received from a referrer, insurer, health fund, employer, compensation scheme, treating practitioner, guardian or authorised representative.

The website contact form is for initial enquiries only. Please do not include detailed clinical information or urgent safety concerns. The form is not monitored continuously and is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For 24/7 crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

4. Why we collect, use and hold information

We use information to respond to enquiries; assess whether the service is appropriate; provide, administer and improve counselling services; arrange appointments; communicate with you; process payments or rebates; meet clinical, legal, insurance and record-keeping obligations; manage complaints and safety concerns; and maintain website security and performance.

Sensitive information is collected with your consent unless a lawful exception applies. Health information will not be used for direct marketing without your specific consent.

5. Disclosure

Information may be disclosed with your consent, where you would reasonably expect disclosure for the purpose for which it was collected, or where authorised or required by law. Recipients may include authorised treating practitioners, referrers, insurers, health funds, compensation schemes, professional supervisors, legal or professional advisers, and service providers supporting hosting, email, scheduling, video conferencing, payments, secure storage, IT and analytics. Only information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose will be disclosed.

6. Service providers and overseas processing

The practice uses third-party technology providers, including Hostinger and Google services. Some providers may store or process information outside Australia, including in the United States and other locations identified in their privacy notices. Reasonable steps are taken, where required, to ensure that overseas handling is consistent with the APPs. You may ask for current information about the relevant providers and locations.

7. Cookies and Google tag

This website uses essential cookies and may use the Google tag for analytics and advertising measurement. These tools may collect device, browser, IP address and website-interaction information. Browser settings can be used to restrict cookies. Where a consent control is provided, you can also manage your preferences through that control.

8. Security, retention and data breaches

Reasonable technical and organisational steps are taken to protect information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Records are retained only for as long as required for clinical, legal, professional and insurance purposes, and are securely destroyed or de-identified when they are no longer needed. Suspected data breaches are assessed and, where required, notifications are made under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

9. Access and correction

You may request access to the personal information held about you, or ask for it to be corrected. Requests should be sent by email, and we may need to verify your identity before we act on them. Access may be limited where permitted by law, and any refusal will be explained where required.

10. Privacy complaints

Please contact the practice first at simonedominguescounselling@gmail.com. Your concern will be acknowledged and handled as promptly and fairly as practicable. If you are not satisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

11. Feedback or complaints about counselling services

You may raise a concern directly with the practice. You may also contact the Office of the Health Ombudsman (Queensland), the Australian Counselling Association, or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, subject to each body's jurisdiction and procedures.

12. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when practices, technology or legal obligations change. The current version, with the date it was last updated, will be published on this website.

This policy provides general information about our privacy practices and does not limit any rights or obligations under applicable law.