Privacy and Confidentiality

Confidentiality

As psychologists and members of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), all therapists associated with PACT Psychology Services adhere to the APS's Code of Ethics. As such, we are ethically bound to honour your privacy and independent therapy sessions via PACT are completely confidential.

There are some exceptions to confidentiality:

When failure to disclose information would place you or another person at risk of harm. In all cases PACT therapists will discuss the appropriate steps with you before taking any action.

Another situation where your personal information may be disclosed beyond your PACT therapist, relates to the group workshops. On these occasions, PACT therapists discuss issues of confidentiality and privacy with each group member prior to participation and these requirements are reiterated in the group setting. Each member is required to sign a contract indicating their recognition of the need for, and agreement to comply with, the confidentiality requirements. Should someone refuse to sign this contract, they are not permitted entry into the workshop. However, PACT has limits to confidentiality control within this setting.

In various circumstances you may give your therapist at PACT permission to communicate some information with another profession or agency (eg your GP or lawyer) when a report is required or when you wish some information to be discussed with another person.

In rare circumstances, client notes may be subpoenaed by a Court. Most therapists honour subpoenas, but try and keep as much information confidential as possible when responding to it.

Please Note: The confidentiality agreement does not apply to those clients undertaking a Court requested specialist psychological assessment. In such cases, a psychological report is prepared on the basis of the assessment process and submitted to Community Justice Services and the Court. The clients involved in this process will be made aware of this fact.

Privacy

PACT Psychology Services is committed to providing you with the highest levels of confidentiality and service. As such, we adhere to the requirements of the APS Code of Ethics in relation to the release of client information and are bound by the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. Recent amendments to this Act requires health practitioners in private practice such as ourselves, to obtain consent from their clients to collect, use and disclose client's personal information.

Following your initial assessment session and prior to beginning counselling, PACT will provide you with information regarding the process and the privacy requirements it adheres to.

Client Information

All client files are accessible only to your therapist and held in a secure locked filing cabinet. Information provided on each file includes personal details such as name, address, contact phone numbers, and any other information which may be relevant to the psychological service being provided. The information gathered by your PACT therapist during this process is a normal procedure undertaken by all psychologists and is gathered as part of your assessment, diagnosis and intervention. It is retained in order to document the process during sessions which enables the provision of a relevant and effective psychological service.

Requests for access to client information

You may request to see this information about you at any stage of the counseling process. These contents may be discussed for clarification and you may be given a copy when given notice.

Concerns

If you have a concern about the management of your personal information, please inform Kirstin Bouse, Director of PACT and Forensic Psychologist. Ultimately, if you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, or access to, your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner on 1300 363 992, or GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 1042.

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