Consent and Confidentiality

Consent and Confidentiality

To provide services, Thoughtful Psychology needs to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing services to you. Thoughtful Psychology also documents services offered through client case notes and file notes, so we are operating ethically as per the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and meeting funding obligations. We are required to keep patient personal information for 7 years post client exiting services if the client is an adult or up to the age of 25 if the client exited services before the age of 18.

Please note that consent is not permanent and can be withdrawn at any time without prejudice or judgement.

 

We will also remind you of consent and the limitations (stated below) periodically throughout services.

​

Personal Information

All information obtained during your treatment is kept confidential and secure. While administration staff may have access to basic information such as your contact details to complete their duties, only the treating psychologist will have access to your case notes and other confidential information.  This remains true except when:

 (1) Your personal information  is subpoenaed by a court;

 (2) Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the psychologist place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

 (3) Your prior approval has been obtained to:

      (a) provide a written report to another professional or agency—e.g. to a lawyer or the NDIA; or

      (b) Discuss the material with another person—e.g. a parent or employer.  or

      (c) disclose the information in another way; or

(4) You would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed 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; or

(5) Disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or

(6) When consulting with colleagues, or in the course of supervision, your psychologist will be required to conceal your identity and any associated parties involved; and to preserve your privacy at the utmost professional manner in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics.

In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of a client’s personal information occurs the psychologist will activate a data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

 

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage you may request to see and correct the personal information about yourself kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with you and/or give you 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 you for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with your treating practitioner at Thoughtful Psychology. These requests will be responded to in writing within 21 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

 

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform their treating practitioner at Thoughtful Psychology. 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 you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, you  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.