Counselling services, limitations and your rights as a client

Thank you for scheduling an appointment with Natalie Turns at Kardia Collective. This page provides important information about the services I provide including my approach to treatment, business practices, fees, and other information relating to confidentiality. Please take a few moments to read through these prior to your appointment and email me at natalie@kardiacollective.com.au if you have any questions.

Counselling Fees*

• Individual Counselling: 50-minutes $130 (incl. GST) delivered online Australia-wide or in-person at Foundry Clinical, Manning WA.

• Relationship Counselling: 50-minutes $150 (incl. GST) online Australia-wide or in-person at Foundry Clinical, Manning WA.

• Family Counselling: 50-minutes $170 (incl. GST) for up to four people in-person at Foundry Clinical, Manning WA.

*Annual fee reviews may be undertaken to account for inflation and increasing operating costs, and this may result in an increase to the cost of sessions. You will be notified in writing of any fee increases as they occur.

Missed / Late / Cancelled Appointments

• Providing at least 24-hours notice to cancel an appointment helps me to keep your session costs down and ensures that clients on a waitlist can access sessions

• Appointments missed or rescheduled outside of this window may be charged 50% of the full appointment fee

• You can cancel or reschedule your appointment using the links in your confirmation email

• Appointments cancelled with 24-hours notice will be fully refunded.

• If you are late for your session, the appointment time is unable to be extended and the full fee remains payable.

• A reminder will be sent to the email address provided before your appointment. If for any reason you did not receive a reminder message and missed your appointment you will still need to pay the late missed appointment fee. If ever in doubt please feel free to contact me to confirm an appointment.

Payment Options

Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your appointment by credit or debit card. All information is submitted through secure practice management software.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Your counselling sessions with me are private and confidential. This means I will not disclose the information you provide to any third party unless you consent for me to do so. It is important to note that there are limits to confidentiality in exceptional circumstances including when I believe there is a risk of harm to you or others, or if I am required by law to respond to a subpoena or court order. We'll discuss this during your first appointment so you can ask any questions you might have.

You can find full information about confidentiality and the limits to this in the website Privacy Policy.

Health Record Management

I create and keep health records for you which will record all relevant information relating to the treatment provided to you. Your health records are managed and protected in accordance with all applicable legislation. Health records are legally required to be stored for a number of years following the conclusion of your treatment in line with Australian State and Territory legislation. Client records are managed securely through a multi-factor authenticated practice management software platform.

You are also able to request access to a copy of your digital health record with 48 hours notice by email. Please note that your records cannot be shared with a third party without your express consent.

Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics

As the principal counsellor and owner of Kardia Collective, I am qualified and registered (M.A.C.A Level 1) with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and bound by the ACA Code of Ethics (2019).

During your sessions I will always discuss the proposed treatment approach and methodologies with you and ensure you understand the rationale for the approach, including any identified risks.

Should you have concerns about the professional conduct of your therapist, you are within your rights to lodge a complaint with one of the organisations below:

• Health Care Complaints Commission

• Australian Counselling Association

Duty of Care

Duty of care is legally written into the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and is it is your counsellor's responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of you and others. This includes anticipating possible hazards and causes of injury and doing everything reasonably practicable to prevent, remove or minimise these causes.

Limitation to Services

Treatment is provided via prearranged, scheduled appointments. I have limited availability for contact outside of scheduled appointments and may not have an opportunity to respond between sessions. Please do not rely on this form of contact for emergency matters. In an emergency please contact the appropriate agencies using the details below.

As a registered counsellor, I will only provide services that are within my professional capabilities, competence and role as a private provider. If treatment needs are identified that are outside of this scope I will endeavour to assist you identify alternative suitable providers and support with referrals.

Emergency Contacts

Unfortunately I am not able to respond to urgent emergencies and Kardia Collective communication channels (phone, SMS, email) are not monitored outside of standard business hours.

If you are in crisis and require immediate support, please contact:

• If a life is in danger: 000

• Lifeline by phone: 13 11 14

• Lifeline by text: 0477 13 11 14

• Lifeline by web chat: lifeline.org.au

• Additional resources can be found in the FAQs.
  

  If you have any questions or concerns about this content, please contact me to discuss further.