Purpose
This privacy policy outlines how Solace & Thrive collects, uses, stores, and protects the personal information of its clients and referrers in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Collection of personal information
We collect personal information that is necessary for providing psychological services to our clients and managing our practice. This includes:
- Personal and contact details (name, address, phone number, email address, medicare number, healthcare identifiers, health fund details)
- Health information (medical history, mental health information, family history)
- Referrer information (name, practice, phone number, email address)
- Website usage data (collected via Google Analytics)

Personal information is collected through face-to-face consultations, online forms, and telephone or email communication. Website usage data is collected automatically when users visit our website.

Use and disclosure of personal information
Personal information collected is used for the purpose of providing psychological services to our clients and managing our practice. This may include:
- Assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions
- Developing treatment plans and providing therapy
- Communicating with other health practitioners involved in client care (with client consent)
- Liaising with referrers for appointment scheduling and service coordination
- Sending email newsletters and other informational updates to referrers who have subscribed to our mailing list

Website usage data collected via Google Analytics is used for the purpose of improving our website and online services.

We may disclose personal information to third parties in the following situations:
- With the client's consent
- When required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas)
- When necessary for provision of health care services to the client
- When communicating with referrers for appointment scheduling and service coordination
- With third parties who work with our practice for business purpose, such as accreditation agencies or IT providers
- During the course of providing medical services, such as through eTP, My Health Record

We may also use personal information for directly related business activities, such as:
- Financial claims and payments
- Practice audits and accreditation
- Business processes (e.g. staff training).

Security of personal information
We take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of personal information, including:
- Secure storage of hard copy files in locked cabinets
- Use of password-protected electronic storage and access systems
- Restricting access to personal information to authorised personnel
- Destruction of personal information when it is no longer required

Access and correction of personal information
Clients and referrers have the right to access their personal information held by Solace & Thrive and request corrections or updates. This can be done by contacting our practice manager in writing.

Referrers who have subscribed to marketing communications can opt-out of these communications at any time by emailing hello@solacethrive.com.au

Complaints process
If clients or referrers have any concerns about the privacy of their personal information or our privacy practices, they can contact our designated privacy officer Solace & Thrive. We will investigate any complaints and provide a response within 30 days.

Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect and analyse data about how visitors use our website. Google Analytics uses cookies and other technologies to collect information about website usage, such as the pages visited, time spent on the website, and the browser used. This information is used to improve our website and online services.

Google Analytics may also collect certain demographic and interests data, such as age, gender, and interests. This data is collected anonymously and cannot be used to identify individual visitors.

For more information about how Google uses data, please see their privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.

Contact details
For further information or queries about our privacy policy, please contact our practice manager at hello@solacethrive.com.au

Legal requirements
This privacy policy complies with the APPs under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other relevant privacy laws and regulations in Australia.