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General information

These terms and conditions apply to online services including e-counselling and tele-counselling services and are effective from 1 July, 2006.

The Men's Work Shop (herein referred to as MWS) is a registered business operating in Victoria, Australia owned by sole proprietor Andrew Hacker. MWS holds an Australian Business Number (40 559 214 134). MWS postal address is P O Box 313, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156, Australia. MWS can be contacted by phoning 61 3 9752 2202

Andrew Hacker is a Clinical Member of The Australian Counselling Association (ACA)(Member No. 4857) and adheres to the code of conduct developed by this organisation. More information is available on the ACA website at http://www.theaca.net.au/docs/code_conduct.pdf.

You must be over 18 years of age to access online or telephone counselling services at MWS. When you access these services, you are telling us that you are over 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age and wish to access MWS services, you can do so provided your parent's/carer's consent is obtained. Please contact us by phone or in person for more information.

Payment for all sessions must be made in advance. No late payments can be accepted. Direct deposit payments are welcome - contact us here for more information about making direct deposits.

Confidentiality

MWS will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of any information provided by clients, within certain limits. MWS will maintain the security of all information held electronically or in hard copy. All MWS computers are firewalled with up to date software and are password protected. MWS takes no responsibility for information held by clients either electronically or in hard copy. MWS takes no responsibility for breaches of security of information held on either the clients computer or for information intercepted by whatever means between MWS computer and the client's computer. While every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of email addresses, etc, MWS takes no responsibility for lost, misdirected or intercepted email transmissions.

No responsibility is accepted for interception of telephone calls (either landline or mobile).

MWS reserves the right to and may disclose information about clients under the following circumstances:

a) Failure to disclose the information would place either the client or another person at risk of harm,

b) Any ongoing child abuse or neglect is disclosed or indicated and the client is unwilling to address this immediately,

c) The information or the counsellor is subpoenaed by a court,

d) The client's prior consent has been obtained

e) For the purpose of clinical supervision/consultation.

In most circumstances MWS staff will discuss such a disclosure with the client prior to providing any information to third parties. However, MWS staff may choose to disclose information relating to the above to third parties without your prior consent or knowledge if we are unable to contact you to discuss the disclosure or if obtaining your consent would increase the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Liability

MWS does not guarantee or warranty any services or outcomes in relation to the service provided. Neither MWS or individual staff are responsible for any action or inaction or decision made by you as a consequence of your consulting with MWS staff or your use of MWS services.

The MWS operates within Australia and no legal action or personal indemnity claims whatsoever can be forthcoming from individuals residing outside of Australia, including but not exclusive of the USA, Canada and the UK.

MWS is not liable for breaches of security of information held on either the client's computer or for information intercepted by whatever means during the transfer of that information.

MWS is not responsible or accountable for inaccurate or misleading information that is provided by the client or for decisions, advice, actions or suggestions which MWS staff may make as a result of being provided that information.

Understanding the differences between forms of counselling

Online counselling does not replace face to face counselling. These two forms of counselling differ greatly. For instance, in online counselling there is increased potential for misinterpretation of the information being discussed due to the lack of the tonal, behavioural and other aspects of communication. Online counselling maintains a permanent record of the communication which enables both the counsellor and client to consider the responses in much greater depth than in face to face counselling. More of these differences are discussed in detail at http://www.ismho.org/issues/ and MWS recommends you read about these issues before engaging in online counselling either with MWS or another service proider.

In response to these differences, MWS uses a 'step up' approach when assessing the appropriateness of the various counselling types on offer for any given presenting issue. That is, if it is deemed by MWS staff that online counselling is inappropriate for a presenting issue, more appropriate forms of counselling will be suggested - telephone counselling being the first step up, face to face being the next step.

Where email counselling is deemed inappropriate by staff, any fees paid in advance by clients will be used for the recommended alternative forms of counselling when the service is provided by MWS. Where face to face counselling is recommended but impossible to access at MWS (eg. because of distance or availability), an administration fee of $30.00 will be charged and any remaining payments held will be refunded to the client by cheque or electronic transfer.

Refunds (pre-paid services)

No refund of fees paid in advance is guaranteed where clients choose to withdraw from the service they have paid for without cause or notice. Under some circumstances (such as disatisfaction with the service being provided), a refund may be arranged with or specified by MWS staff. MWS reserves the right to apply an administration fee prior to making any refunds.

Telephone Counselling

All telephone call costs will be met by the client unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance of commencing counselling.

Payment for sessions must be made in advance. No late payments can be accepted. Direct deposit payments are welcome - contact us here for more information about making direct deposits.