Privacy Policy

Your therapy with Graham Psychology is confidential and private. We will not disclose the information you provide to us to third parties, unless you consent for us to do so. Your personal record is kept securely, in line with relevant legislation (Privacy Act 1988). In the interest of your privacy, only your treating psychologist and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary) have access to your personal record.

If you are the parent of a child under the age of 18, both parents must consent to therapy unless otherwise specified in a court order, or otherwise impractical due to other circumstances. It is important this be discussed with your psychologist at your child's first appointment. Both parents are legally entitled to access your child's personal record, until they are the age of 18 or are a mature minor. Further, your child's psychologist may discuss the potential of treating your child as a mature minor. In this case, your child's confidentiality will be treated as if they are over the age of 18. If there are concerns related to your child's safety or that of someone else, regardless of age, limits to confidentiality apply.

Limits to Confidentiality

All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of psychological service will remain confidential and secure except when:

1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is required or authorised by law e.g., the safety of a child is at risk; or

2. Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious risk of life, health, or safety; or

3. Given your prior approval has been obtained to

   a.Provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., GP, school, or lawyer; or
   b. Discuss the material with another person, e.g, parent, employer, health provider; 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 and disclosure is directly
   related to the primary purpose for which it was collected, such as to inform your GP of treatment and progress; or

5. When consulting with colleagues or in the course of supervision, your psychologist will be required to conceal your identity and any associated parties involved.

Personal Record Management

We will create and keep your personal record containing all relevant information relating to your treatment. We may also collect and store health information about you from third parties such as your General Practitioner. Your personal information is retained in order to document what happened during sessions and enable the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. Your personal record is managed and protected in accordance with the applicable state and federal laws. Personal records are legally required to be stored for 7 years, or if under the age of 18 until you are 25, following the conclusion of your treatment with us.

You are entitled to access your personal record at any time. Please discuss this with your treating psychologist if you wish to see the information kept on your record.

Audio/Visual Recording

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requires provisional registered psychologists to record some sessions as part of the registration process. The recordings assist in professional development and enable provisional registered psychologists to receive feedback on their performance. Your psychologist will always gain your consent at the start of any session they wish to record.

• The recordings will be either heard/viewed by the provisional registered psychologist and/or their AHPRA-approved supervisor/s.

• All recordings will be securely maintained and destroyed after ten days of making the recording.

• You have the right to request that the recording be turned off at any point during the sessions.

• Do you consent to your session being recorded?

Note Taking Tool / Transcribing Software (Patient Notes or Heidi)

'Patient Notes' or 'Heidi' are software tools that clinicians may use during a session for the purpose of clinical note taking. The use of this software allows your clinician to focus entirely on you during your session, whilst still allowing them to accurately capture medical information, ensuring a comprehensive and precise record of your care.

• All clinicians are encouraged to obtain verbal consent before using this software. You can withdraw your consent at any time.

• Both 'Patient Notes' and 'Heidi' are compliant with the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act.

• Conversations are transcribed simultaneously while they happen, meaning no recordings are ever stored. Notes that a clinician saves from your session are added confidentially to your electronic record within our securely encrypted Practice Management System.

• More information on this software is available at heidihealth.com and www.patientnotes.app/privacy-and-compliance