CONFIDENTIALITY
The University is committed to the protection of your personal information. You may need to provide personal information when accessing our services and talking to a Wellbeing Advisor or a Counsellor either in person, when completing paperwork, on the telephone or online.
The University of Newcastle CAPS will not discuss your personal information with any persons outside of CAPS, except in the following situations:
When you have provided your consent;
Where the University of Newcastle has a legal obligation to do so;
Where it is necessary to manage the risk of an immediate threat of harm to an identifiable person or persons, including yourself, that can be averted only by disclosing information;
When CAPS staff are consulting or in the course of supervision or professional training (in this instance your identity and the identity of other parties involved will be concealed).
Personal information you may provide to the counselling service, including information supplied to online programs such as 'thedesk', eCliPSE, Zoom and during group programs may be collected, stored, used and disseminated by the University, for the purpose of assisting in the University's delivery of and research in respect of counselling services. Your identity, and the identity of any parties involved, will be concealed to protect your privacy.
The University of Newcastle abides by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) 1998, the Health Records and Information Privacy Act (NSW) 2002 as set out in the University’s Privacy Management Plan in the collection, storage, access, use and disclosure of your personal and health information.
ONLINE AND TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
The University of Newcastle Counselling and Psychological Services also offers counselling services via telephone or online.
Our online counselling services are offered using the digital platform, Zoom.
Zoom is a free, high quality video conferencing program, which allow users to see and hear each other using a computer or handheld device that is equipped with a camera and a microphone. The University has adopted encryption processes and each Zoom meeting is password protected to reduce the risk of access by parties other than those who have been invited and to prevent potential electronic eavesdropping.
For beneficial telephone or online counselling services, you will need access to a quiet and private area away from distractions and the risk of your conversation being overheard.
For online counselling use an appropriate device with a camera, microphone and speakers, and a reliable internet service.
In consenting to using the online services you acknowledge these risks and consent to proceed with counselling and support on this basis.
LIMITATIONS OF SERVICES
Whilst the University takes all reasonable steps to ensure security in providing our services, due to reasons outside our control, the University of Newcastle Counselling and Psychological Services cannot guarantee the privacy or security of session content or communication conducted via online services (including telephone services).
There is potential that videoconferencing sessions or phone calls could be intercepted by others and communicating via these mediums cannot be guaranteed 100% secure. To ensure up to date security protocols, we recommend that you use a current version of Zoom and to ensure that your computer or other electronic device is subject to appropriate password security and up-to-date anti-virus software. Where possible, do not use public wi-fi as this is not a secure service.
Additional factors to consider include:
Online counselling may lack visual and/or audio cues, which may increase the possibility of misunderstandings.
Online counselling may have disruptions or delays in service and quality of the technology used.
It is important to consider beforehand whether this service is appropriate for your needs before proceeding.
CONFIRMATION OF INFORMED CONSENT
By engaging in online counselling services, I agree to the following:
To provide the counsellor with my location at the beginning of the session so that the online counsellor can get help in the case of an emergency.
To engage in sessions only from a private location where I will not be overheard or interrupted.
To attempt to connect via private internet connection (i.e., not a public Wi-Fi)
To ensure that the computer or device I use has updated operating and anti-virus software.
I will not record any sessions, nor will the counsellor record sessions, without obtaining prior written consent.
