Privacy Policy

This document describes Mind Full of Happiness' privacy policy for managing 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 stored in secure electronic practice management software (Halaxy & Splose), accessible only to authorised employees or service providers under the practice's policies and procedures. 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

Your personal information will collected in several ways during psychological consultation, including through Zoom and Heidi Health when you provide information verbally, via electronic or paper forms, email correspondence, and when other health practitioners provide personal information via referrals, correspondence, and medical reports. 

Consequence of not providing personal information

If you don't want your personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, the Psychologist may not be able to provide a psychological service to you. In some circumstances, you may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for the Psychologist to work with you or if the Psychologist is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.

Purpose of holding personal information

Your personal information is gathered and used to provide psychological services, which include assessing, diagnosing, and treating your presenting issue. Only relevant personal information is retained to document what happens during sessions, enabling the psychologist to provide an appropriate and informed psychological service.

Disclosure of personal information

Your personal information will remain confidential except when:

1. a court subpoenas it, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law;

2. failure to disclose the information would, in the reasonable belief of the Psychologist, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

3. your prior approval has been obtained to:

  a) provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a Lawyer; or

  b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third-party funder; or

  c) disclose the information in another way; or

  d) disclose to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP), and disclose your personal information to that third party for a purpose directly related to the primary purpose for which your information was collected.

Your personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.

In the event of unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of your personal information, Mind Full of Happiness will implement its data breach plan and make all reasonable efforts to minimise the risk of significant harm that may result.

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage, you may request to see and correct the personal information about you that is

kept on file. The Psychologist may discuss the contents with you and/or give you a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken 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 Felicity Hunter. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 calendar days, and an appointment may be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

Concerns

If you are concerned about how your personal information is managed, please discuss it with Felicity Hunter. You can also review a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describes your rights and how your personal information should be handled. 

If you wish to lodge a formal 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:

Phone: 1300 363 992, 

Post: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5288, Sydney, NSW 2001,

Online: Lodge a Privacy Complaint