Horse Talk Australia
Your Privacy and Confidentiality
At Horse Talk Australia, your privacy and confidentiality are treated with respect and care. Creating a safe and trusting environment is an essential part of counselling and equine-assisted therapy.
Personal information shared during sessions, through forms, or in communication with Horse Talk Australia is kept confidential and handled in accordance with relevant privacy legislation and professional ethical standards.
This includes the principles of the Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria), the Privacy Act 1988 (Australia), and ethical practice guidelines such as those outlined by the Australian Counselling Association.
Collection of Information
Information may be collected to provide counselling or equine-assisted support services. This may include:
• personal details such as name and contact information
• relevant health or wellbeing information
• information discussed during sessions
• intake forms and written notes related to sessions
This information is collected only for the purpose of providing safe and effective support.
Storage and Protection of Information
Client information is stored securely and protected from unauthorised access. This may include secure digital storage or locked physical files.
Information is only accessed by the practitioner for the purpose of providing counselling services.
Reasonable steps are taken to protect personal information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised disclosure.
Confidentiality in Counselling
Information shared during counselling sessions is confidential.
Confidentiality is important because it allows clients to speak openly about their experiences and feelings in a safe and respectful space.
In most circumstances, information will not be shared with anyone else without your consent.
For example, written permission would be required before sharing information with:
• doctors or other health professionals
• schools or support services
• family members or carers
• legal representatives
Limits to Confidentiality
There are some situations where confidentiality may need to be limited. In accordance with professional practice and Victorian law, information may be shared without consent when required to protect safety or comply with legal obligations.
These situations may include:
Risk of Harm
If there is a reasonable belief that a client or another person is at serious risk of harm, steps may be taken to ensure safety. This may involve contacting appropriate services or supports.
Privacy laws allow disclosure when it is reasonably necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a person’s life, health, safety or welfare.
Risk to a Child or Young Person
If there is reasonable concern that a child or young person is at risk of abuse, neglect, or significant harm, information may need to be shared with appropriate authorities in accordance with mandatory reporting obligations.
Court Orders or Legal Requirements
Information may need to be disclosed if required by law, such as in response to a court subpoena or other legal process.
Serious Criminal Activity
Information may be shared if necessary to prevent a serious crime involving violence or a threat to someone’s safety.
Information Sharing Under Victorian Law
In some situations, information may be shared between authorised services under Victorian information-sharing schemes relating to child wellbeing or family violence risk.
Client Access to Information
Clients may request access to their personal information or records, subject to relevant legal and ethical considerations.
If you wish to access your records, please discuss this with your practitioner.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
• ask questions about how your information is handled
• request corrections to inaccurate information
• withdraw consent for information sharing where appropriate
• raise concerns about privacy or confidentiality
Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about privacy or confidentiality, please feel welcome to discuss them.
Open conversations about confidentiality are encouraged, and clients are always welcome to ask about how information is handled before sharing personal experiences.
Important Note
Horse Talk Australia is not an emergency or crisis service.
If you are experiencing immediate distress or require urgent support, please contact:
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Emergency services – 000
• Your GP or local health service