Resources

Privacy Policy

Client information

Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet or an electronic document management system which is accessible only to authorised employees. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological and counselling service.

How is clients’ personal information collected?

A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological or counselling consultation with Gabby Bond Psychology, including when the client provides information directly to their practitioner at Gabby Bond Psychology using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Gabby Bond Psychology employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Gabby Bond Psychology, via referrals, correspondence, and medical reports.

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, Gabby Bond Psychology may not be in a position to provide the psychological or counselling services to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for your practitioner/Gabby Bond Psychology to deal with the client or if your practitioner/Gabby Bond Psychology are 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 or counselling services, which includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist or Counsellor to provide a relevant and informed psychological or counselling 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

2. failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of their practitioner that place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

3. 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.

In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Gabby Bond Psychology will activate its 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 clients may request to see and correct the personal information about

them kept on file. 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 their practitioner. These requests will be responded to in writing within

30 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 Gabby Bond. 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:

o Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.