Effective Date: 14th December 2024
Clear Mind Full Heart Psychology is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics.
1. Purpose of this Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains:
- The types of personal information we collect.
- How we use and disclose your personal information.
- How we store and protect your personal information.
- Your rights regarding access to and correction of your personal information.
- How to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
2. What Personal Information Do We Collect?
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Identity and Contact Details: Your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address.
- Health Information: Medical history, mental health information, treatment plans, and progress notes.
- Billing Information: Payment details, Medicare or private health fund information.
- Other Information: Any other details provided by you during consultations or communications.
We collect this information directly from you or, with your consent, from other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g., your general practitioner, psychiatrist).
3. How Do We Use Your Personal Information?
We use your personal information to:
- Provide psychological services tailored to your needs.
- Develop and review treatment plans.
- Communicate with you regarding appointments, updates, and treatment progress.
- Collaborate with other healthcare providers involved in your care, with your consent.
- Comply with legal and ethical obligations, including record-keeping requirements.
We will only use your personal information for the purposes for which it was collected or for related purposes permitted by law.
4. Disclosure of Your Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information to:
- Other healthcare providers, such as your general practitioner or psychiatrist, with your consent.
- Third parties if required or permitted by law (e.g., court orders, mandatory reporting obligations).
- Professional advisors (e.g., accountants or lawyers) where necessary and where privacy and confidentiality are maintained.
We do not disclose your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
5. Storage and Security of Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, loss, or disclosure. This includes:
- Physical Security: Storing paper records in secure, locked cabinets.
- Digital Security: Using encrypted and password-protected systems to store electronic records.
- Access Control: Limiting access to personal information to authorized personnel only.
If we no longer require your personal information, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access Your Information: Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct Your Information: Request corrections to any inaccurate or outdated information.
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for us to collect, use, or disclose your personal information, subject to legal and ethical obligations.
There are some circumstances in which access to your information may be denied, for example where the access poses a serious threat to the life or health of a person. Requests to access personal information will be responded to within 14 days of application and an appointment may be made for clarification purposes. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.
7. Third-Party Interactions
If we need to communicate with third parties (e.g., other healthcare providers) as part of your care, we will:
- Seek your explicit consent before sharing your personal information.
- Ensure that the third party handles your personal information in accordance with privacy laws and ethical guidelines.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal obligations or our practices. The updated policy will be available on our website, and the effective date will be noted.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact us:
Clear mind Full Heart Psychology
PO Box 61
Phone: 02 7208 8600
Email: admin@cmfh.com.au
We are committed to resolving any concerns promptly and fairly.
Thank you for trusting us with your personal information. Your privacy is of utmost importance to us.
