Terms of Service
At Laura McVeigh Reiki & Counselling we value your time. Please make sure you understand this policy and that you are comfortable with it before booking an appointment time.
Every client will receive a reminder with the date and time of their consultation 24 hours beforehand. In accordance with recommendations by the Australian Counselling Association (the ACA), fees for cancellation of appointments are as follows:
0 – 24 hours notice : 100% of fee required
Therefore if cancellations or changes to your appointment are made with less than 24 hours notice, you are responsible to pay the full session cost. Any cancellations or changes need to be made via email, text, or phone call before the 24 hours prior to your appointment.
HOWEVER, we understand that life does get in the way sometimes, so the cancellation fee may be waived the first time there is a problem at Laura’s discretion.
Cancellation Policy
As a provider of quality counselling, it is necessary to collect and record relevant personal information. This counselling confidentiality policy outlines the confidentiality principles, laws, and codes of practice under which Laura McVeigh Reiki & Counselling operates.
Codes of Practice
Your counsellor adheres to the Australian Counselling Association’s Code of Ethics and Practice, as well as to the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles 2006, and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.
Collection of Information
Personal information will only be collected when it is lawful to do so and when directly related to the counsellor role and the activity of managing the service. Information will only be collected from you directly when it is relevant.
Data Quality, Security and Flow
All personal information you supply should be accurate and up to date. Laura McVeigh Reiki & Counselling will take reasonable steps to securely protect your personal information from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification, and disclosure. Reasonable steps will be taken to destroy personal information no longer needed after the mandated amount of time.
Storage Of Information
Your information will remain confidential, private and securely stored, and will be securely disposed of after five years from the cessation of the therapeutic relationship. It will be protected from unauthorised access, use and disclosure.
Access and Accuracy
This counselling confidentiality agreement policy informs you of what personal information will be stored, the reason this information is being collected and what will be done with that information. You have the right to access your information with reasonable notice. You will be allowed to update, correct or amend your personal information where necessary.
Use and Disclosure
You have a legal right to expect that any personal or health information held about you will not be disclosed inappropriately to others without your informed consent. Your information will be limited to the purpose for which it is collected, and Laura McVeigh Reiki & Counselling will not use information supplied by you for one purpose for another.
In some situations, disclosure of personal or health information may be necessary where there is a serious and imminent threat to an individual’s life, health or safety, or a threat to public health or safety.
Limits to confidentiality are as follows:
When subpoenaed by court, or
When required by law (e.g. Mandatory Reporting for child protection, unlawful activity), or
When failure to disclose information would place you or another person at risk of serious harm, or
When your prior approval has been gained for authority to release information to a nominated person.
Indemnity
Every care has been taken to ensure the information in this policy is accurate and based on current law and best practice. Laura McVeigh Reiki & Counselling cannot accept any claims arising from error or misinterpretation.
Currency
This confidentiality policy was last updated in January 2025. It is advisable to check this policy information when revisiting the website as there may be some changes to reflect best practice and current statutory and legal requirements.