Privacy and confidentiality

This means that counsellor advocates do not share your information with people outside our organisation. If you think it is helpful, you can ask us to share information with other parties.

In exceptional situations

In some situations we do not need your permission to share information with others. For example, when we believe there is a risk to someone’s safety. In these cases, we will still try to consult with you before sharing your information.

When counsellors talk about ‘risk to someone’s safety’ it means:

• Someone could seriously harm themselves or another person.
• A child or young person could be hurt, or neglected.

Documenting your contact with CASA House

It is a requirement for your counsellor to make a note of each counselling session and other contact, such as phone calls. This ensures transparency and accountability. These notes need to include any information about your wellbeing or risks to your safety.

Notes of counselling sessions may also include information on:

• themes that have been discussed
• your hopes and goals
• plans or strategies you’ve agreed on with your counsellor advocate
• changes or achieved outcomes.

You have the right to ask your counsellor about the notes they write about you. You also have the right to request access to your file. To do this, you can lodge a Freedom of Information request with the Royal Women’s Hospital.

You can find more information about privacy and accessing your records on the Royal Women's Hospital website.