Privacy Policy

Our commitment

Light Within Psychology is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, as well as the professional and ethical obligations of registered psychologists in Australia.

What information we collect

We may collect personal information such as your name, contact details, date of birth, and referral information (including a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP).

As part of providing psychological services, we also collect health information — a sensitive category of information under Australian law — including information about your mental health history, presenting concerns, and progress in therapy. This information is only collected with your consent.

How we use your information

Your information is used to provide psychological services to you, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care. We may also use your information for administrative purposes such as scheduling appointments, processing Medicare or private health claims, and responding to your enquiries.

Confidentiality and disclosure

Everything you share with your psychologist is kept confidential. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties without your consent, except in limited circumstances where the law requires or permits it — for example, where there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person, where records are subpoenaed by a court, or where mandatory reporting obligations apply.

With your consent, your psychologist may liaise with your GP or other treating professionals to support coordinated care, such as providing progress updates required under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

How we store your information

Your records are stored securely, with access restricted to authorised persons. We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Records are kept for the minimum period required by law — generally seven years from the last contact, or until a client who was a child turns 25 — before being securely destroyed.

Accessing or correcting your information

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if it is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete. To make a request, please contact us in writing at info@lightwithinpsychology.com. We will respond within a reasonable time.

Website enquiries

When you submit an enquiry through our website contact form, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and message so that we can respond to you. This information is stored securely and used only to manage your enquiry. It is not used for marketing or shared with third parties.

Cookies and analytics

Our website may use basic, privacy-respecting analytics to understand how visitors use the site. We do not use your information for targeted advertising.

Complaints

If you have a concern about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us first so we can try to resolve it. If you are not satisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this page.