Diane Cronin 

Privacy Statement

My practice operates in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists. I am committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the national Privacy Act 1998 and amendments since this time.

The Privacy Act is designed to give individuals the right to be more informed and have more control over the manner in which their personal information is collected, used, disclosed and stored.

This Privacy Policy outlines how I manage and protect the privacy of your personal information in my practice as a psychotherapist.

  1. I only collect and record information provided by you, or others you may advise me to contact, which is necessary for the practice of clinical psychotherapy. I may hold the information I collect about you in a combination of paper and computer records.
  2. At the beginning of therapy I will record information relating to your personal details such as address and date of birth. During the course of therapy I will record notes around the developments in therapy.
  3. I undertake to treat all your information with respect and confidentiality. If you have any concerns with regards to these matters, please discuss them with me.
  4. I will write reports to professionals where appropriate and with your consent, for example if you have been referred by another health professional.
  5. I will not disclose any identifiable information about you without your consent. If you did give your consent, I will keep a record of this. To protect your privacy and within the limits of the law, I will resist any contact with any third party unless mutually agreed between us (i.e. family members; other professionals) and will inform you if any contact occurs.
  6. To maintain and build on my standards of practice I may present and discuss my work with colleagues. This is done in a way that ensures complete anonymity while maintaining high standards of practice through supervision as is required by the Code of Ethics of the Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists.
  7. I hold all records for seven years after the therapy ceases or as otherwise required.
  8. I will take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that your personal information is properly protected from misuse or loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
    You may obtain access to personal information about you, which I hold by making a request in writing.  I will endeavour to provide you with what you require within 30 days.
    If you consider any personal information about you, which I hold is incorrect, you may make a written request to me to correct that information.
  9. If you wish to make a complaint about privacy issues you may do so personally or in writing. I will deal promptly with your complaint and respond too it in writing. If you are dissatisfied with my response you can make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The OAIC can be contacted on 1300 363 992 or at www.oaic.gov.au