Privacy Policy

Balance Space Counselling

Effective 25 September 2026

1. About this policy

Balance Space Counselling is operated by Zarni Oo (ABN 86 633 640 634) and provides online counselling for adolescents and adults. Balance Space Counselling is committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles and applicable NSW health privacy laws.

2. Information we may collect

We may collect information reasonably necessary to provide counselling and operate the practice, including your name, contact details, date of birth, emergency or carer contact details, enquiry information, relevant health and personal history, counselling goals, session notes, referrals, consents, and booking or payment information if those services are introduced.

3. How information is collected and used

Information may be collected through website enquiry forms, email, telephone, counselling sessions, and referrals made with your consent or another lawful basis. It may be used to respond to enquiries, provide counselling, arrange appointments, maintain records, manage safety, and meet legal and professional obligations. You may make a general enquiry without providing detailed personal information, although counselling services will usually require enough information to identify you and provide care safely.

4. Website enquiries and administrative email

This website is hosted by Squarespace. Information submitted through an enquiry form may be processed by Squarespace and sent to balancespacecounselling@gmail.com, which is used as the practice's administrative email account. Please avoid including detailed health histories or highly sensitive information in your initial website enquiry. Further information can be discussed through an appropriate channel.

5. Confidentiality and disclosure

Counselling information is treated as confidential. Personal information will only be disclosed with your consent, where required or authorised by law, or where a lawful exception applies. This may include child-protection obligations, court orders, or circumstances involving a serious threat to someone's life, health or safety. Only information reasonably necessary for the purpose will be shared. Professional supervision may involve de-identified information wherever practicable. Personal information is not sold or disclosed for third-party marketing.

6. Young people

For adolescent clients, consent, confidentiality, capacity and safety will be discussed with the young person and, where appropriate, their parent or carer. Parents and carers do not automatically have unrestricted access to counselling information. Any disclosure will be considered in light of the young person's capacity, safety, legal requirements and professional obligations.

7. Records and security

Website enquiries and administrative correspondence are held in password-protected accounts, with access restricted to the practitioner. At present, clinical notes are not stored on the current computer. Before counselling services begin, clinical records will be stored separately using an appropriately secured record system and a supported, security-updated device. Reasonable safeguards will include access controls, secure passwords, appropriate backups, and secure disposal when records are no longer required. Records will be retained for the period required by applicable law and professional obligations. This policy will be updated if the practice's record-storage arrangements change.

8. Online sessions and communications

Online counselling sessions are provided through Zoom. Before each session, clients receive a private meeting link. Balance Space Counselling uses reasonable privacy and security measures available within Zoom, including meeting passcodes and waiting-room controls where appropriate, and does not publish meeting links. Zoom may process limited personal information, such as your name, email address, meeting details, device information and technical usage data. Some information may be processed or stored outside Australia, including in the United States. Balance Space Counselling does not record online counselling sessions, and clients must not record a session unless this has been discussed and expressly agreed beforehand. Clients should participate from a private location using a secure internet connection and a device protected from unauthorised access. Zoom handles personal information under its own privacy practices. As with any online service, complete security cannot be guaranteed. Email and text messaging carry privacy risks and should mainly be used for administration. Balance Space Counselling is not a crisis service. In an emergency, call 000.

9. Third-party services and overseas processing

Balance Space Counselling currently uses Squarespace for the website, Google/Gmail for administrative email, and Zoom for online counselling sessions. These providers may process or store information outside Australia, including in the United States or other locations, in accordance with their own privacy practices. Reasonable steps will be taken to use reputable providers and protect personal information. If online payments, booking software or other service providers are introduced, this policy will be updated where appropriate.

10. Access and correction

You may request access to, or correction of, personal information held about you by contacting Zarni Oo using the details below. Your identity may need to be verified. Requests will be handled within a reasonable period. If access or correction is restricted by law, the reason and available complaint options will be explained where appropriate.

11. Questions, complaints and data breaches

Privacy questions or complaints should first be directed to Zarni Oo. The concern will be considered and responded to within a reasonable period. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au or the NSW Information and Privacy Commission at ipc.nsw.gov.au, as relevant. Suspected privacy incidents will be assessed, contained and addressed. Affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner will be notified where required by law.

12. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when the practice's services, technology, record-storage arrangements or legal obligations change. The current version will be available on this website.

Contact: Zarni Oo, Balance Space Counselling | Email: balancespacecounselling@gmail.com | Phone: 0426 287 844 | ABN 86 633 640 634 | Last updated: 25 September 2026