Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 26, 2025

Your privacy is of utmost importance to Incognito Counselling. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information when you visit our website www.in-cognito.com.au (the "Site") and engage with our counselling services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our services to you.

• Information You Provide Voluntarily:
  • Contact Information: When you use our contact forms, email us, or call us, you may provide your name, email address, phone number, and a brief description of your inquiry.
  • Counselling-Related Information (After Engagement): If you become a client, we will collect personal and sensitive information relevant to your counselling sessions. This may include your personal history, mental health information, and session notes. This information is collected during face-to-face, video, or phone sessions, and is subject to strict confidentiality protocols.
• Automatically Collected Information (Website Usage Data):
  • When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and Browse activity. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and the dates/times of your visits. This data helps us understand how our website is used and improve its functionality. We may use tools like Google Analytics for this purpose (see Section 3).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries and provide information about our services.
• To schedule and conduct counselling sessions.
• To maintain accurate client records and manage our practice.
• To improve our website and services.
• To comply with legal and ethical obligations (e.g., duty of care, mandatory reporting).

3. Cookies and Analytics

• Our website may use "cookies" to enhance your experience. Cookies are small data files placed on your device. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Site.
• We may use third-party services like Google Analytics to collect, monitor, and analyze website usage data. These services use cookies to gather anonymous information about your website use.

4. Confidentiality and Data Security

• Client Confidentiality: All information shared during counselling sessions is treated with the strictest confidence, in accordance with professional ethical guidelines and legal requirements. Exceptions to confidentiality are rare and will be discussed with you, typically involving situations where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or as required by law.
• Data Security: We are committed to protecting your information. We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include [mention general measures, e.g., secure servers, encryption for online communications where possible, password protection, physical security for paper records].
• However, please remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We will not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may disclose your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: We will obtain your explicit consent before disclosing your information for purposes not covered by this policy or professional ethics.
• To Third-Party Service Providers: We may use third-party services (e.g., secure online booking systems, accounting software, email providers) that require access to some personal data to perform their functions. We ensure these providers are reputable and committed to data protection.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or subpoena).
• Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Incognito Counselling, our clients, or others.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: The right to request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction/Rectification: The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): The right to request the deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances.
• Objection/Restriction: The right to object to or request restriction of processing of your personal data.
• Data Portability: The right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

7. Links to Other Websites

Our Site may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of [e.g., 16 or 18, depending on legal requirements for consent]. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children without appropriate parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• By email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.