Kindred’s Guiding Promise
Kindred places your autonomy, dignity, and safety at the centre of our work together.
We begin every therapeutic relationship with transparency, so you understand how we work, what choices you have, and how your personal information is protected.

Informed consent is not a one-off formality. It is an ongoing conversation that supports trust, clarity, and your right to decide what feels right for you.

1. Why This Matters

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• Your autonomy matters. You have the right to make informed decisions about your care at every stage.

• Your safety matters. Ethical practice includes clear boundaries, confidentiality, and lawful protection of your information.

• Your consent matters. Consent is ongoing and can be reviewed, adjusted, or withdrawn at any time.

2. Informed Consent

What Informed Consent Means
Informed consent means that you understand and agree to the nature of counselling or coaching services before and while they are provided. This includes understanding:

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• The purpose and scope of the work

• The therapeutic approaches used

• Potential benefits and limitations

• Any foreseeable risks

• Fees, session structure, and cancellation terms

• Confidentiality and its legal limits

• Your rights regarding records and information

Consent is collaborative and ongoing. You are encouraged to ask questions at any time.
 

What You’ll Receive
Before commencing services, you will receive:

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• A clear explanation of:

  • Our therapeutic approach and scope of practice

  • Session options (standard, extended, long-form, or coaching)

  • Fees, billing, and cancellation policies

  • How records are kept and managed

• A written informed consent form to review and sign once you feel fully informed

This consent covers:

• Therapeutic modalities that may be used (e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems work etc)

• The structure and boundaries of sessions

• Your right to pause, revise, or withdraw consent at any time

Confidentiality and its Limits
Everything you share in sessions is treated as confidential, with limited legal and ethical exceptions.

Exceptions to Confidentiality
Confidentiality may be breached only when required by law or where safety is at risk, including:

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• Mandatory reporting: Where there is a reasonable belief of child abuse or neglect

• Serious risk of harm: If there is an immediate risk to your safety or the safety of others

• Legal requirements: Such as a court order or subpoena

Wherever possible, these situations will be discussed with you before any disclosure occurs.

Collaboration and Third-Party Information Sharing
Your information is never shared with other professionals, organisations, or third parties without your explicit written consent, unless legally required.
Where collaboration occurs, you will be asked to authorise a separate consent outlining:

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• Who information will be shared with

• What information will be shared

• The purpose and frequency of sharing

You may withdraw or amend this consent at any time.

3. Privacy and Data Protection

Our Legal and Ethical Obligations
Kindred complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, as well as professional ethical standards governing counselling practice.

How Your Information Is Managed
Collection
We collect only information that is reasonably necessary to provide safe, effective care and manage the practice (e.g. contact details, intake information, session notes).

Use and Disclosure
Your information is used solely for therapeutic care and practice administration.
Disclosure occurs only:

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• With your consent, or

• Where required or authorised by law.

Secure Storage
Kindred uses Halaxy, a secure Australian-based practice management system designed for healthcare services.

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• Client records are stored electronically within Halaxy’s encrypted systems

• Access is restricted to authorised users only

• Halaxy complies with Australian privacy and data security standards for health information

Where physical records exist, they are stored securely in locked files.

Access and Correction
You have the right to:

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• Request access to your personal or clinical records

• Request corrections if information is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated

Requests will be responded to within a reasonable timeframe, in line with legal requirements.

Retention and Disposal
Records are retained for the minimum period required by law and professional standards.
Once no longer required, records are securely destroyed or permanently de-identified.

4. Your Rights
At any point, you may:

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• Ask questions about your care, records, or privacy

• Review or update your consent

• Request access to or correction of your information

• Withdraw consent or end sessions at any time

Choosing to pause or end counselling will not affect your right to respectful, ethical care.

Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about informed consent, privacy, or your rights, please speak with your counsellor or contact:

Email: kr@thisiskindred.com.au

We aim to respond within five business days.