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As part of providing a psychological service to you, Allison will need to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your current situation. You do not have to give all your personal information, but should all relevant information not be made available, this may restrict the quality of the psychological service able to be provided to you.

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The information is gathered as part of the assessment, diagnosis and management of the your concerns. The information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables Allison to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.

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Access to Client Information

 

At any stage you as a client are entitled to access to the information about you kept on file, unless relevant legislation provides otherwise. Welch Psychology will retain client information for up to seven years post discharge to the service, with children and adolescents information being retained until the age of eighteen years, plus an additional seven years post discharge from service. 

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Confidentiality

 

It is important that your privacy is protected at all times. All personal information gathered by Allison during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure except where:

1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or

2. Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious and imminent risk; or

3. Your prior approval has been obtained to

   • Provide a written report to another professional or agency. E.g., a general practitioner or a lawyer; or

   • Discuss the material with another person. E.g., a parent or employer; or

   • If disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.

 

Additionally, if you have a general practitioner mental health care plan, psychologists are required to report to the referring general practitioner after six and ten sessions about your presenting concern, progress and treatment.

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If you are part of a group therapy program, it is important not to discuss with persons outside the group what has occurred in order to build trust and group cohesion. If you breech confidentiality of another group member, this could result in termination of your therapy.

 

As part of the Allison's professional development and improving quality of care, she may find it helpful to consult with an another health professional about your concerns. It is important to note that Allison will maintain confidentiality of your identity during such discussions.

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In the situation where a client is receiving support from multiple professionals, it is usual practice for the psychologist to establish contact with these other service providers to ensure co-ordination and consistency of your care and to provide the best quality service to you (e.g., to communicate assessment and treatment plans and reports, make telephone calls, make referrals to other agencies).

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Confidentiality for Individuals Under the Age of 18 Years

 

It is the policy of Welch Psychology that when children are mature and competent to consent to psychology treatment and enter a therapeutic relationship, then they will receive a duty of confidentiality.

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Allison will provide general information to the parents about progress of their child in therapy. Release of other information will only be permitted with the consent of the child, on the basis that the child is of sufficient maturity and intelligence to make decisions in their best interest.

In a situation where Allison believes there is a high risk of the child harming themselves or others, Allison will notify parents of their concern, often after initially conversation with the child and consultation with a supervisor or colleague.

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APS Charter for Clients of Psychologists

 

Before people can work as psychologists they must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). Your Clinical psychologist is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), which is the largest professional association of psychologists in Australia, with comprehensive Code of Ethics and complementary series of Ethical guidelines. Your Psychologist is also a Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists.

 

As a client of an APS Clinical psychologist, you have a right to expect that:

• You will be treated with respect at all times

• Your cultural background and language tradition will be respected

• You will be given a clear explanation of the services you will receive

• You will be asked to give your consent for any service provided by your psychologist prior to the service commencing and as it progresses

• You will receive an explanation about the confidentiality of the service and the exceptional situations where your confidentiality may not be protected

• You will receive a clear statement about fees for your psychologist’s services

• There will be a discussion about the estimated number of sessions required to achieve your goals

• You will receive skilled and professional services from your psychologist

• There will be clear goals that you and your psychologist are working toward

• You can ask any questions about the service you are receiving.

 

Note: If you have any concerns about the above matters, discuss them with your Clinical Psychologist. If you have concerns about the conduct of your psychologist, you may call either the Psychology Board of Australia on 1300 419 495, or the Australian Psychological Society on (03) 8662 3300.

 

The Australian Psychological Society Limited PO Box 38 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 8009 Australia Telephone (03) 8662 3300 Facsimile (03) 9663 6177 www.psychology.org.au 2012 © The Australian Psychological Society Limited.