Privacy Policy

Tania Ruddick ("I", "my", "practice") is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines my ongoing obligations to you in respect of how I manage your Personal Information.

I have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which I collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. I am also bound by the strict confidentiality and privacy guidelines set out in the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics.

1. What is Personal Information and why do I collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information I collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and emergency contact details.

Because of the nature of therapeutic services, I also collect Sensitive Information (Health Information). This includes medical history, psychological history, session notes, and any information provided by referring doctors (such as a Mental Health Care Plan).

This information is collected in many ways including interviews, correspondence, by telephone and email, via my website, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, and from third parties (e.g., your GP). I collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing therapeutic services to you and ensuring your safety and care.

2. Confidentiality & Disclosure

All personal and health information gathered during the provision of psychological services will remain confidential except when:

• It is subpoenaed by a court; or
• Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or
• Your prior approval has been obtained to provide a written report to another professional or agency (e.g., your GP or a lawyer), or discuss the material with another person; or
• You would reasonably expect me to disclose information to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected; or
• Disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.

3. Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, I will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by me for a minimum of 7 years, as required by law.

4. Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information I hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact me in writing.

Tania Ruddick will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. In order to protect your Personal Information, I may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

5. Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to me that your Personal Information is up to date. I will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information I have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise me as soon as practicable so I can update my records and ensure I can continue to provide quality services to you.

6. Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on my website.

7. Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about my Privacy Policy please contact me at:

Tania Ruddick
Email: hello@taniaruddick.com.au
Location: Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia