Terms and Conditions of Service
Privacy, Consent and Terms of Service (updated August 2024)
Psychological service
A ‘psychological service’ may include mental health assessment, counselling, treatment and/or recommendations. As part of providing the service to you, your psychologist needs to collect and record personal information such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information. This collection of personal information will be a necessary part of the psychological assessment and treatment that is conducted. Typically, a psychologist will conduct an assessment and feedback the nature of your presenting mental health challenges and involve you in a treatment plan prior to commencing treatment with you.
E-Mental Health Service
Technology has great potential for increasing access to psychological services, and in some circumstances it can be effective for assessment and therapeutic psychological services. However, it does have potential limitations on the benefit of therapy, including reduced capacity to observe non-verbal cues and the potential for misinterpretations due to delay, technological glitches, environmental conditions etc. Both the psychologist and yourself can decide that the psychological service via technology may not be appropriate for you, and the service can be ceased. In the event of a decision to terminate your e-mental health service, other options will be recommended to you. Whilst the psychologist endeavours to be responsive to your needs, it is expected that mutual contact will be limited to your dedicated session times, with the exception of discussions regarding appointments and other administrative correspondence. Generally, communication will not be responded to outside of business hours (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday), unless mutually agreed. Responses may incur a delay and your psychologist should not be relied upon to respond to an emergency situation. It is therefore recommended that you become familiar with your local psychiatric triage service (see https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health/practice-and-service-quality/service-quality/mental-health-triage-service to search your local service).
Videoconferencing (via Zoom Pro) is the preferred method of communication for psychological services, due to the benefits of visual cues in listening and responding. Zoom is a free online video service that is easy to use and accessible, and is widely used in the medical community to conduct e-health consultations. Zoom is encrypted (ie information cannot be read or heard in a logical format), and precautions including passwords and waiting room function is enabled to increase security. However it is not considered a fully secure platform. Some data is retained by the platform including time and date data. It is recommended you familiarise yourself to the Zoom platform and be diligent about your own privacy and security of your information and discuss any issues or concerns with the psychologist.
It is important that you are competent in the use of the mode of technology you choose to communicate with, to avoid delays and disruptions to the session. Please discuss any access needs you have with your psychologist.
Security when using e-mental health services
Although the utmost care will be taken to ensure your details are safe, it is important that you are aware of the inherent risks of using technology as a mode of communication. It is recommended that you have anti-virus software installed on your devices, ensure your own passwords are secure, and that during sessions you are physically situated in an environment conducive to privacy, and free from distractions and unwanted interference from others. The use of encryption and password protected files is also recommended, and can be facilitated by your psychologist, if requested. Confidentiality may be more limited when compared to in-person services, depending on the level of security of the technology. Security limitations include system breakdown, authorised (e.g., internet service provider system administrator) and unauthorised persons potentially viewing messages, and the potential access of deleted messages where back-up records have been made.
Purpose of collecting and holding information
Your personal information is gathered as part of your assessment and treatment, is kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by your psychologist and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary). Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. Rise Psychology and its practitioners conform to the Health Records Act (2001) and all other relevant government laws, to ensure your personal details remain private and confidential. Your records will be securely stored electronically for 7 years (or 7 years from age 18 if you are currently a minor); after which time your information will be securely destroyed. Rise Psychology does not upload your files to My Health Record, however other practitioners associated with your care (such as GPs) have their own processes regarding uploading data and may upload external correspondence.
Access to client information
At any stage you are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, subject to exceptions in the relevant legislation. The psychologist may deem it inappropriate for you to access certain components of your file or received correspondence. If your access is fully or partially denied, the reasons for this will be explained to you.
Disclosure of personal information
All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service 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 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 professional or agency. e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or
b) Discuss the material with another person, eg. 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 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.
Your personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless you consent, or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Your 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, your psychologist will activate a data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.
Disclosure of Personal Information to optimise care (Clinical Supervision)
Where required, your personal information may be disclosed to peer or a more senior psychologist for the purpose of professional clinical supervision, in order to optimise your care and improve treatment outcomes. The purpose of this discussion is to present relevant case information and to endorse or advise on the most appropriate treatment approach. The recipient of this information is equally mandated by the Health Records Act and relevant professional standards. Wherever possible, your information will be deidentified. Please discuss any concerns you have regarding the use of your information for clinical supervision. The full name and details of the supervising psychologist can be provided upon request.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, the psychologist may refuse to provide the psychological service to you. It will not be possible for you to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym within your registration and billing processes. However, pseudonyms can be used when communicating over technology.
Fees
The cost of initial and follow up consultations (50 minutes) both in person and via telehealth is $265 (Mon - Fri during business hours) or $280 (Saturdays and after hours). If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan, you will be eligible for a rebate of $141.85 (as at July 2024) from Medicare. An itemised receipt will be provided upon receipt of payment. The number of sessions will depend on your particular circumstances, and any foreseeable limitations of your ability to afford the cost of treatment should be discussed with your psychologist in your first session. Should there be an outstanding invoice where payment has not been recouped within 90 days, by signing this agreement you agree for the outstanding invoice to be bulk billed to Medicare.
Cancellation Policy
If, for some reason you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, at least 48 hours notice, otherwise you will be charged for the full cost of the session. If your bank card details are stored on file, this will be charged on the day of missed appointment. If there are insufficient funds, repeat attempts will be made at 48 hour intervals until payment is fulfilled. A rebate is not available for unattended sessions.
Illness and COVID-19 Policy
If you are unwell or have had close contact with a person with covid-19, please do not attend an in-person appointment. Your session can be moved to an online appointment with little to no notice if required. If the psychologist requests an in-person session to be conducted via telehealth due to illness, you may decline and no cancellation fee will be charged.
Telehealth (video and phone) and Online Correspondence
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in an environment that is comfortable for you to be able to fully participate in the session, at the time of your appointment. If the psychologist deems you are in an unsuitable environment to safely or effectively participate in a session (e.g. driving a car, in close proximity to others, etc), the session may be cancelled and the full rate charged. In the event of major technological difficulties for either party, your session will be rescheduled at a mutually agreed time without a fee.
APS Charter for Clients of Psychologists
The Australian Psychological Society’s Charter explains your rights as a client of a psychologist. It can be located using this URL address: https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/5fb479bb-4ab8-49f3-a9eb-1a76a3779ef4/APS-Charter-for-clients.pdf Please inform your psychologist if you would like a printed copy of this material.
Consent
By submitting the online intake form and scheduling an initial appointment, you are agreeing to the above conditions and terms of service.
Practitioner Details:
Carlye Weiner
Clinical Psychologist, MAPS, FCCLP, MPsych(Clin), BAppSc(Psych)(Hons)
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority Number: PSY0001825260
Phone: 0422 739 189 Email: carlye@risepsychology.com.au
Business details:
Rise Wellbeing and Consulting Pty Ltd, Trading as Rise Psychology (ACN 82 646 408 559)
Suite 441, 45 Florence Street, Mentone, 3194