Last updated: 29 September 2026

About us

Sage Counselling Services (“we”, “us” or “our”), respects your privacy. This notice explains how we handle personal information when you contact us, access counselling services, participate in training or visit our website.

For privacy enquiries, contact:

Andrea Snow
Email: andrea@sagecounsellingservices.com
Phone: 0449 531 924

Information we collect

Depending on the services you access, we may collect:

• Your name, contact details and relevant emergency contact information.

• Information provided through enquiries, registration forms, telephone conversations, emails and SMS.

• Professional qualifications, experience and learning goals relevant to training.

• Booking, attendance, payment and certificate records.

• Health information relevant to counselling or safe participation in experiential training.

• Counselling and training notes, and images of sand trays or expressive therapy exercises where agreed and relevant to the service.

We collect only information reasonably necessary for the relevant service or activity.

Bookings and payments

Bookings are arranged directly through email, SMS or telephone conversation.

Payments are accepted by cash or bank transfer. We keep relevant payment and receipt records. We do not request or process credit or debit card details.

How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• Respond to enquiries and arrange appointments.

• Provide counselling and maintain appropriate records.

• Assess training applications and manage enrolment.

• Support safe participation and arrange appropriate adjustments.

• Manage payments, attendance and certificates.

• Communicate about your services or training.

• Address concerns, complaints and safety matters.

• Meet applicable legal and professional obligations.

If you choose not to provide necessary information, we may be unable to provide a service or arrange suitable support. We will discuss this with you where relevant.

You may make general enquiries anonymously or using a pseudonym where practicable.

Health information and consent

We seek your consent to collect health information unless collection is otherwise permitted or required by law.

For training, relevant physical and psychological health disclosures help us consider safe participation and appropriate support. You may request a confidential conversation rather than recording detailed medical information on a registration form.

You may withdraw consent for future consent-based handling by contacting us. We will explain any effect on your services or participation. Records may still need to be retained to meet legal or professional obligations.

Notes and images

Notes and images of sand trays and expressive therapy exercises are stored in Halaxy.

Consent to include an image in your confidential record does not authorise its use in training materials, presentations, publications, social media or advertising. Any such use requires separate, specific signed consent.

You may decline image consent without declining counselling or training. You may also withdraw consent for future use by contacting us. We will explain any limits relating to records that must be retained or material already distributed with your permission.

Email and online communication

We use a paid company Gmail account for email communication. We also use a paid Zoom account and WhatsApp for online sessions and communication, as agreed with you.

These services process information according to their own terms and privacy practices. A paid account does not guarantee that information remains in Australia or remove all privacy risks.

Please avoid sending detailed sensitive information through general email, SMS or WhatsApp unless we have discussed an appropriate way to do so. You can contact us to discuss communication options and privacy concerns.

 Who may access or receive information

Relevant information may be accessed by authorised staff or facilitators who need it to deliver services, administer training or support safe participation.

Our technology providers—including Halaxy, Google, Zoom, WhatsApp and telecommunications providers—may process information needed to provide their services. Banks process information associated with bank transfers.

We may also disclose information:

• With your consent.

• To professional advisers or insurers where reasonably necessary and legally permitted.

• Where required or authorised by law, including applicable reporting obligations or valid legal orders.

• Where legally permitted to address a serious threat to someone’s life, health or safety.

We limit disclosure to information needed for the relevant purpose. We do not sell your personal information.

Group training confidentiality

Participants in experiential training are expected to respect confidentiality and not disclose other participants’ identifying information or personal experiences outside the group.

You decide what personal material you share. While confidentiality expectations are explained, we cannot guarantee the conduct of other participants.

Storage and security

Counselling and relevant training notes and images are held in Halaxy. Communications may also remain in the email, SMS, Zoom or WhatsApp systems used to communicate with you. Administrative and payment records are retained as needed for business and legal purposes.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. No electronic communication or storage system is completely risk-free.

We retain records for the periods required by their purpose and applicable legal or professional obligations. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.

Overseas handling

Some technology providers may process information overseas, including through technical support or service operations.

Where information is disclosed overseas, we take the steps required by applicable Australian privacy law.

Training updates

We may send information about upcoming training where you have consented or where otherwise permitted by law.

You can stop receiving promotional emails at any time by replying and asking to be removed or using an unsubscribe option where provided. We may still send necessary communications about an existing appointment or enrolment.

Health disclosures and private session material are not used to target promotional communications.

Access and correction

You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated.

Contact us using the details above. We may need to verify your identity and will respond within a reasonable period. If we cannot provide access or make a requested correction, we will explain why, where legally permitted, and outline your complaint options.

Privacy complaints

Please contact us if you are concerned about how we have handled your information. We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate and aim to respond within 30 days. If additional time is needed, we will keep you informed.

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.

Changes to this notice

We may update this notice as our services, systems or obligations change. The current version will be available on our website with its update date.