Last updated: 22 September 2026

At The Other Side, your privacy matters.

Any personal information you share with me, through a contact form, email, or during sessions, is treated with care, confidentiality, and in line with Australian privacy laws and the PACFA Code of Ethics.

What I collect

If you contact me or book a session, I may collect:

• • Your name and contact details

  • General location (to support scheduling across time zones)

  • Information you choose to share via intake forms, emails, or in sessions

This information is collected only to provide counselling services, ensure professional care, and communicate with you.

How it’s stored

All personal and session-related information is stored securely and is only accessible to me. Digital records are password-protected and stored using appropriate security measures.

I take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Use of third-party platforms

To provide online counselling and manage bookings, I use a small number of third-party platforms, including:

• • Google Meet for online video sessions
  • Calendly for session scheduling

These services have their own privacy and security protocols. I do not store counselling notes within these platforms. Some third-party providers may process or store limited personal information outside Australia. I take reasonable care when selecting service providers and aim to minimise the amount of sensitive information shared through external platforms.

Professional supervision

As part of ethical counselling practice, I may discuss aspects of my clinical work with a qualified professional supervisor. Wherever possible, identifying information is removed or minimised.

Data retention

In line with ethical and professional requirements, adult client records are securely retained for a minimum of seven years after the end of counselling, or longer where required by law. After this time, records are securely deleted or destroyed where appropriate.

Confidentiality

What you share in counselling is confidential. The main exceptions are:

• If there is a serious risk to your life, health or safety, or the life, health or safety of another person
• If disclosure is required or authorised by law
• If records are required through a valid legal process or court order

Where appropriate, I will discuss this with you before information is shared. These limits will also be explained during the counselling consent process.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• • Access or correct your personal information

  • Withdraw consent to ongoing communication

  • Request deletion of your data when legally appropriate

  • Raise a concern or complaint about how your personal information has been handled

Privacy concerns or complaints

If you have a concern about how your personal information has been handled, please contact me in the first instance and I will aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for further information or to make a complaint.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions about how your information is handled, please get in touch:
nicolethompsoncounselling@gmail.com