Privacy Policy

This page describes the privacy policy of The Listening Couch for the management of clients' personal information. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Client information

Client files are held in an encrypted, cloud-based online booking system which is only accessible 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 service.

How clients' personal information is collected

A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation. These include times when the client provides information directly to The Listening Couch using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with employees of The Listening Couch, and when other health practitioners provide personal information via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

Consequence of not providing personal information

If a client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, The Listening Couch may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client.

Purpose of holding personal information

A client's personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client's presenting issue.

Disclosure of personal information

All personal information gathered during the provision of services will remain confidential except when:

It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.
Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of their psychologist place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety.
The client's prior approval has been obtained to:
- Provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g. a GP or a lawyer.
- Discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third-party funder.
- Clinical consultation with another professional is required to provide better clinical services.
- Disclose the information in another way.
- Disclose to another professional or agency where disclosure 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.

Requests for access and correction

At any stage a client may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. All requests will be responded to in writing within 21 days.

Concerns

If clients wish to lodge a formal complaint, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Phone: 1300 363 992
Online: www.oaic.gov.au
Post: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001