This document describes the privacy policy of Therapy House for the management of clients’ personal information.

The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles 2014 and the Australian Psychological Society – Code of Ethics (2007)

How clients’ personal information is collected

A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Therapy House including when the client provides information directly to Therapy House using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Therapy House employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Therapy House via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

What is personal information?

Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you.

What personal information do we collect and why?

As a base, the following information will likely be collected:

Your name, address and date of birth.
Your contact details.
Current and past medical information.
Your family medical history to the extent that it may inform current services.
Your educational and occupational history.
Legal or offending history (in the case of medico-legal services).

In addition, in the provision of psychological services Therapy House will in all likelihood collect the following personal information:

Responses and results from psychological tests and questionnaires.
Responses and results reasonably obtained as part of a neuropsychological assessment.
This may be in a ‘pencil-and-paper’ format, or via a computer.
Information pertaining to your session notes; treatment plan and your response to treatment.

All of the above material is used to inform accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment plans for Therapy House clients. Not having this information may increase the risk that the assessment, diagnosis and treatment plans subsequently arrived at or generated are sub-optimal.

Consequence of not providing personal information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Therapy House may not be able to provide the psychological service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Therapy House to deal with the client or if Therapy House is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.

Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.

Disclosure of personal information

Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:

1. it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or
  failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Therapy House place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or
2. the client’s prior approval has been obtained to:
  a) provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or
  b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third party funder; or
  c) disclose the information in another way; or
  d) disclose to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.

A client’s personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients’ personal information will not be used, sold, rented, or disclosed for any other purpose.

Requests for access and correction to client information
At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. Depending on the information requested, the psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with Therapy House Management Team.

Changes to this policy.

We may from time to time make changes to this policy to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. All clients and referrers are encouraged to periodically review this policy to remain informed.

Issues

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Therapy House Management Team. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.