Privacy policy.

Purpose

My service collects, works with and retains client’s personal information. This policy outlines how Rachel Domoney Psychology manages clients' personal information in compliance with Australian Privacy Principles. While this information is vital for providing optimal psychological services, it is equally important that it is handled responsibly and in accordance with legal and ethical professional standards.

Relevant Laws and other Documents

The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles 2014 and the Australian Psychological Society – Code of Ethics (2007).

What is personal information?

Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you.

What personal information does the service collect and why?

In order to provide optimal psychological services, I will collect information from clients or referrers. The following information will likely be collected:

  • Your name, address and date of birth.

  • Your contact details.

  • Current and past medical information.

  • Your family medical history to the extent that it may inform current services.

  • Your educational and occupational history.

In addition, in the provision of psychological services, I will in all likelihood collect the following personal information:

  • Responses and results from psychological tests and questionnaires..

  • This may be in a ‘pencil-and-paper’ format, or via a computer.

  • Information pertaining to your session notes; treatment plan and your response to treatment.

All of the above material is used to inform accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment plans for my clients.

Information provided by third parties

I will collect information from you whenever possible and practical. I may also ask to gather information from people who know you well, like a partner or parent, or from professionals involved in your care, such as your GP. I will keep you informed about the information I collect, where it comes from, and will get your written consent before contacting others or accessing this information.

Disclosure of personal information

Your personal information will remain confidential, except in the following situations:

  1. If it is required by law, such as being subpoenaed by a court.

  2. If, in the reasonable belief of the psychologist or practice, not disclosing the information would put you or someone else at serious risk of harm to life, health, or safety.

  3. If you have given prior consent for myself to provide information to a third party.

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 Rachel Domoney Psychology will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

We follow the national requirements for our data breach plan (https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches)

Storage and security of personal information

I will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information of clients from misuse, interference or loss, and from unauthorised modification, access or disclosure.

Paper documents containing personal information listed above will be stored under lock. Electronic information containing personal information listed above will be stored and backed up securely, in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics (2007).

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 service may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988. 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 Rachel. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 days.

Complaints

Clients have a right to make a complaint about the handing of their personal information.

Complaints can be made to Rachel by email (racheldomoneypsychologist@gmail.com). I will endeavour to respond appropriately to reasonable complaints within 30 days of the receipt of the email.

Ultimately, if you wish to make a complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992 or online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/provacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY NSW 2001.