Fees

Racing Thoughts Psychology provides psychology services via telehealth (video) to allow for flexibility and accessibility for more clients to engage with this service. Please ensure you have access to a device that has reliable internet, a webcam, a microphone and that you are in a space that provides privacy and comfort for your session. If there are technical difficulties during your session, your psychologist will offer to complete your session via telephone.

As part of the provision of telehealth your privacy will be upheld in the same way as an in-person session and video-conferencing software is carefully selected by your psychologist to ensure your privacy as much as possible. There is a small risk, alike other technology use, of hacking or tapping into the video connection. Please note your psychologist will not record your voice of image during the session and you are asked to do the same.

If for some reason you need to cancel or postpone your appointment, please give at least 48 business hours’ notice – your full appointment fee will be charged for all No Shows to an appointment. This no show or late cancellation fee will need to be paid on or before your next visit. Please make every effort to notify the practice if you are unable to attend an appointment - there are often other client’s waiting for appointments, and it would be appreciated if other clients could be given the opportunity to come in. To cancel or rearrange an appointment, please contact Alanah Keating on admin@racingthoughtspsychology.com.au

PRIVACY POLICY for the MANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

This document describes the privacy policy of Alanah Keating for the management of 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 held in an encrypted, cloud-based storage in online booking system with medical grade security, which is only accessible to Alanah Keating. 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. Personal information will also be collected and held in a secure internet-based appointment scheduling program.

How clients' personal information is collected

A client's personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation. These include times when the client provides information directly to Alanah Keating using hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with employees of Racing Thoughts Psychology such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Alanah Keating via referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

Consequence of not providing personal information

If a client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Alanah Keating may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to the client.

Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.

Disclosure of personal information

All personal information gathered during the provision of services will remain confidential except when:

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

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

3. the client’s, or consent of a parent or guardian who is legally authorised to act on their behalf, 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) clinical consultation with another professional is required to provide better clinical services (identifying details will remain confidential); or

d) disclose the information in another way; or

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

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 the psychologist will activate a data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage a client may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them 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 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 Alanah Keating. These requests will be responded to in writing within 21 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Alanah Keating. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.