Privacy Policy

The Kind Psychologist collects, works with and retains its clients’ personal information. This information is important in the optimal provision of psychological services. However, it is also important that the information is appropriately managed in accordance with law and ethical guidelines of the profession. This policy outlines how The Kind Psychologist handles clients’ personal information, in accordance with Australian Privacy Laws.

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 do we collect and why?
In order to provide optimal psychological services The Kind Psychologist will collect information from clients or referrers. At a minimum, 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.
Legal or offending history (in the case of medico-legal services).

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

Information provided by third parties
We will collect information from you where it is reasonable and practical to do so. We may also need to collect information from others who have known you a long time (such as a spouse or parent) or from others involved in your care (such as your GP). We will always endeavour to keep you reliably informed of the information collected and the source of that information, and where appropriate will seek and obtain written informed consent to contact and retrieve that information.

Use and disclosure of personal information
The Kind Psychologist will use and disclose personal information for the primary purpose of providing optimal psychological services. This will primarily take the form of a report prepared by the clinician and sent to the referrer or referring agent, plus others involved in the client’s care where applicable.

It is noted that in some circumstances Psychologists are required by law to disclose personal information without the consent of the client. Specifically, Psychologists may disclose personal information if a “permitted general situation” exists such as to “lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual, or to public health or safety”. This threat does not need to be imminent.

There may be occasions when The Kind Psychologist discloses the personal information of a client where there is a serious threat to the life, health, or safety of an individual or the public, or on a rare occasion to assist in the location of a missing person.

Storage and security of personal information

The Kind Psychologist 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).

Can you access your personal information?
Clients have a right to access their personal information held by The Kind Psychologist Such requests need to be put in writing for security and recording purposes and to assist in finding the information for you.

The Kind Psychologist may refuse the request for such information, or limit the information so provided, where it is legally entitled to do so. We will endeavour to provide reasons for refusal. For example, release of information may be denied or limited where such release may have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others or is considered frivolous or vexatious.

Data breach plan

We follow the national requirements. See here:

https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/

Changes to this policy

We may from time to time make changes to this policy to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. All clients and referrers are encouraged to periodically review this policy to remain informed.

Complaints

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

Complaints can be made to admin@thekindpsychologist.com.au. We 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 Informstion 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.

Other agencies to which clients may bring complaints are as follows:

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (ahpra.gov.au)
Australian Psychological Society (psychology.org.au)