Privacy & Confidentiality

Collection of Personal and Health Information

PsycheLife values the privacy of every individual and is committed to protecting all personal and health information collected. The laws that set privacy requirements are Health Records Act 2001 and the Information Privacy Act 2000. These describe how we collect, use, handle and destroy personal and health information.

As part of providing an assessment, counselling or therapy psychological service to you, the clinic needs to collect and record personal information. For example:

• Providing support to address barriers to learning;

• Undertaking assessments to identify needs; 

• Speaking to external practitioners with your consent.

Your personal information will only be used PsycheLfe to provide services to you and not for any other reason. If unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs, PsycheLife will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected our clinicians may not be able to provide ae psychological service to you. It is a legal requirement that clients are identified individuals. 

Storage and Access to client information

Health information will be stored in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, in hard or electronic formats.

You can access and correct information held under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Please contact the clinic to discuss this.

Confidentiality / Disclosure of personal information

All information collected by the clinic during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential.

Disclosures will only occur if permitted by law. These situations include but are not limited to:

• there being a risk of harm to self or others,

• court ordered subpoena or

• permission to disclose is provided.

If health information is disclosed, these people are required to comply with the Health Records Act and the Information Privacy Act (Privacy Act 1988).

Provision of a telehealth service

Your service may be provided to you by telehealth through telephone or videoconferencing. A telehealth consultation may be subject to limitations such as an unstable network connection affecting the quality of the psychology session. In addition, there may be some services for which telehealth is not appropriate or effective. Your practitioner will consider and discuss with you the appropriateness of ongoing telehealth.

You are responsible for the provision of the technology and privacy conditions so you can safely access telehealth services, including:

• Your location when services occur must be previously provided and confirmed at the start of every session;

• The service only occurs if the details of an adult emergency contact has been provided;

• You have access to appropriate technology, for example: Smartphone, laptop, iPad, computer, with a camera, microphone and headphones (no loudspeaker), and reliable internet connection;

• You have a quiet, private space, such as a well-lit room, free from distractions;

• Recording of the session by yourself is prohibited;

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology and network used. To support the security of your personal information this practice uses PowerDiary and Zoom.