Privacy Policy
Fearless Footsteps | Ursula Adams, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Last updated: July 2026
About This Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Fearless Footsteps ("we," "us," "our") collects, holds, uses, and discloses personal information, including health information, in connection with our counselling services and website (fearlessfootsteps.com.au).
We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and we are committed to handling your personal information responsibly and securely.
This policy applies to:
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Clients — current, past, and prospective clients of our counselling services
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Referrers — GPs, psychiatrists, and other health professionals who refer clients to us
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Website visitors — anyone browsing fearlessfootsteps.com.au or contacting us via the website
By using our website, booking a session, or otherwise providing us with personal information, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information as set out in this policy. If you are under 18, we require the consent of a parent or legal guardian for you to engage our services, and that consent covers the handling of your information as described here.
1. What Personal Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
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Contact details — name, address, phone number, email, date of birth, emergency contact/next of kin
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Health information — information relevant to your counselling, including mental health history, treatment notes, session records, Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTPs), and referral letters
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Medicare and billing details — Medicare number, private health fund details, and payment/bank information needed to process fees and rebates
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Referral information — details provided by your GP, psychiatrist, or other referring health professional
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Website and enquiry information — details you provide via our contact form, booking system, or email (e.g. name, email, phone, message content)
We only collect sensitive information (such as health information) with your consent, and only where it's reasonably necessary to provide our counselling services.
2. How We Collect Your Information
We generally collect personal information directly from you — for example, when you:
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Book an appointment or enquire about our services (by phone, email, or our online booking system)
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Attend a session (in person or via telehealth)
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Complete intake forms or provide background information about your circumstances
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Are referred to us by a GP, psychiatrist, or other health professional (with your consent)
We do not knowingly collect personal information about you from other sources without your knowledge, except where required for your care (e.g. a referral from your GP).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal and health information to:
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Provide and manage your counselling sessions, including assessment, treatment planning, and case notes
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Process bookings, cancellations, and payments
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Process Medicare rebate claims and liaise with private health funds where applicable
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Communicate with your referring GP or other treating professionals, where you have consented
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Respond to enquiries made via our website or contact details
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Comply with our legal, ethical, and professional obligations (e.g. as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker under the AASW Code of Ethics)
We do not use your health information for marketing purposes, and we do not sell your personal information to third parties.
4. When We Disclose Your Information
Your information is kept confidential and is only disclosed in the following circumstances:
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With your consent — for example, sharing progress updates with your referring GP or another treating professional
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Required by law — where disclosure is required by legislation or ordered by a court
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Risk of harm — where we identify or are advised of an imminent risk of serious harm to you or another person, including mandatory reporting obligations relating to child safety
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Service providers — limited disclosure to trusted third parties who support our practice operations (e.g. our booking platform or IT support), who are bound to protect your information appropriately
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Business necessity — with our professional advisers (e.g. accountant), where reasonably necessary
We do not disclose your information to any party for a purpose unrelated to your care without your express consent.
5. Data Security & Storage
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal and health information we hold from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes:
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Storing client records in a secure, access-controlled practice management/booking system
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Limiting access to your information to those directly involved in your care
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Retaining records in accordance with our professional and legal record-keeping obligations (as an AMHSW, this is generally a minimum of 7 years, or longer for clients who were minors at the time of treatment)
When information is no longer required to be retained, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.
6. Access & Correction
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or out of date. To do so, please contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before providing access. In some limited circumstances permitted under the Privacy Act, we may need to decline a request — if so, we will explain why.
7. Website & Cookies
Our website may use cookies or similar tools (e.g. through our booking or analytics platforms) to help the site function properly and to understand general visitor usage. You can adjust your browser settings to block cookies, though this may affect some website functionality.
If you contact us or subscribe to updates via our website, we will only use your contact details for the purpose you provided them (e.g. responding to your enquiry), unless you separately consent to receive other communications from us.
8. Out-of-Session & Emergency Situations
Please note that this Privacy Policy governs how we handle information — it does not change the boundaries of our service. Fearless Footsteps is not an emergency or crisis service. In a mental health crisis or emergency, please contact 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
9. Complaints
If you believe we have handled your personal information in a way that is inconsistent with this policy or the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us first using the details below so we can investigate and respond — generally within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be available on this website, and continued use of our services after changes take effect will be taken as acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact:
Fearless Footsteps
📞 0466 648 451 (Call or Text)