Privacy and confidentiality
Your information is treated carefully and collected only for counselling-related purposes, with clear limits.
Privacy
Aligned with NZ privacy standards.
I follow the principles of the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
If you have a privacy concern you can also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Information collected
- Basic contact details, such as name, email, and phone if provided.
- Brief notes about your enquiry, sessions, and agreed focus.
- Billing and appointment records where required.
How information is used
- To respond to enquiries and provide counselling services.
- To maintain ethical and professional records.
- To meet legal obligations where required.
Storage and access
Secure handling and clear retention.
Information is stored securely and only accessed when needed.
- Only necessary information is collected.
- Form submissions are encrypted in transit (HTTPS).
- Records are kept in the practice's Google Workspace account, with restricted access.
- Some services I use store data outside New Zealand: Google (records, email and bookings), Netlify (website hosting) and Resend (enquiry emails).
- Client records are kept for 10 years after our last session, as NZ health records rules require, then securely deleted.
- Enquiry information is kept for 6 months if counselling does not begin.
- To see or correct your information, email hello@harbourlightcounselling.co.nz.
Confidentiality
Confidential, with clear limits.
Confidentiality is central to counselling, with a few legal and ethical exceptions.
Limits to confidentiality
- Risk of serious harm to you or someone else.
- Concerns about abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person.
- A legal requirement such as a court order.
Concerns and complaints
You have rights and options.
I align with the HDC Code of Rights and NZAC Code of Ethics.
If something does not feel right, you can raise it with me directly or contact the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) or NZ Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
- The HDC Code of Rights outlines your rights.
- NZAC provides professional standards and a concerns pathway.
Scope clarity
I practise under regular supervision and work within a clear counselling scope. Some needs may sit outside what I can safely offer. If that happens, I will say so clearly and support referral options where needed. I do not provide medical or diagnostic services.