Privacy and Confidentiality
Making Space Psychology will ensure best practice governance surrounding all information received in the course of your engagement with us. Your personal information is defined as any information that specifically identifies you or from which your identity can be easily attained. This includes, but is not limited to, all reports, letters, session notes and verbal information received from you, and about you. Making Space Psychology collects information in so far as this is necessary for the provision of psychological services.
Privacy
By engaging with Making Space Psychology and disclosing your information to us, you give your consent for us to collect and record your personal information. In providing the services of Making Space Psychology we consent to hold your information with the highest regard for your safety, confidentiality, legal and ethical rights. You choose what information you wish to disclose.
In addition, your Privacy is also protected by the Privacy Act 1988. We utilise the National Privacy Principles in all aspects of our work and adhere to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics.
Making Space Psychology wishes to operate its services with transparency. This means that where we record written information about you, be that session notes or letters to third parties, you will be offered the opportunity to view this this information throughout your therapy. In fact, we invite you to collaborate in the process of writing information about you. This is not obligatory but available should you find it helpful. Furthermore, you may request us to amend and notate information we hold about you which you perceive to be incorrect, false, or otherwise you are not in agreement with.
Our working transparently with you during our service to you does not change your rights under the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010. This means that your information is available to you, on application, at any time.
Confidentiality
Personal information is confidential and cannot be released to a third party unless the following arises:
- We believe that your life, or the life of another person may be endangered if we do not disclose personal information about you. However, be assured that in all instances we will endeavour to have a discussion with you before proceeding to the serious stage of disclosing your personal information to a third party.
- A court issues Making Space Psychology with a subpoena for your information. In most cases there is a legal obligation to provide the requested information. However, it is possible to appeal this request under certain circumstances. Again, we will always endeavour to let you know of such a request and discuss this situation with you.
- You have requested for a Third Party is to have access to your information, such as another clinician. In this case you must give explicit consent in writing for us to disclose your personal information.
Please be aware that funding bodies (e.g. Medicare or a private health fund provider) usually require that certain information is collected and reported. Please talk to us about any concerns you have in this regard.
Storage and Disposal
All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that information is kept physically and digitally secure and protected against unauthorised use whilst it is held by Making Space Psychology. We will store it for the required length of time (this alters according to your age and the state you are in).
Disposal of your personal information will occur through deletion of all files contained in all software, including any existing hardware or cloud backed-up copies. This excludes your My Health Record information if you have instructed us to use this portal to store your information.