Privacy Policy

Effective Date: November 2024

At Felicity Psychology, your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance. As a solo practitioner and registered psychologist, I am committed to safeguarding your personal information in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Code of Ethics, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) standards, and Australian privacy legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This policy outlines how I collect, use, and protect the personal information of clients and website visitors.

1. Collection of Personal Information

As part of providing psychological services, I may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Personal Details: Name, date of birth, contact information (e.g., phone number, email address, and residential address).
  • Medical and Psychological Information: Relevant mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment information.
  • Billing Information: Payment details, which may include Medicare information or NDIS plan details (for plan-managed or self-managed clients).
  • Usage Data: Information collected automatically when you visit our website, such as IP address, browser type, and device information. This data helps improve website functionality and user experience.

2. Methods of Collection

I collect personal information in several ways, including:

  • Directly from you, during consultations or through intake forms.
  • When an appointment is booked in Halaxy, where limited information (e.g., contact and payment details) is processed securely.
  • Through communications via Google email, phone, or when you interact with the website.

All personal information is collected with consent and only as needed to provide effective psychological services or to manage administrative tasks.

3. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

Personal information is used solely to provide and enhance psychological care and services, including:

  • Assessing and providing appropriate therapeutic interventions.
  • Managing appointments and billing.
  • Meeting legal and regulatory requirements, including in cases of mandated reporting.
  • Professional communication and record-keeping in line with ethical and regulatory standards.

I will not disclose your personal information to third parties without your consent, except when required by law, such as:

  • If there is a legal obligation to report serious risk of harm to yourself or others.
  • Compliance with court orders or subpoenas.
  • To meet obligations as outlined by AHPRA or under the APS Code of Ethics.

4. Storage and Protection of Information

I am committed to protecting the privacy and security of your information through:

  • Electronic Records: Personal data is securely stored on Google email and Halaxy, each employing encryption and security measures compliant with Australian privacy regulations.
  • Mobile Communications: I use a private, secure mobile phone for communication, which is password-protected and accessible only by me.
  • Mentalyc Records: Any records stored on Mentalyc are managed in line with their privacy and security policies to ensure confidentiality.

All records are kept in line with AHPRA’s retention requirements. In the event of a data breach, I will follow AHPRA and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) guidelines for notifying affected individuals and taking necessary remediation steps.

5. Access to and Correction of Information

You may request access to your personal information held by Felicity Psychology. I aim to provide timely access, and, where applicable, corrections to ensure accuracy. Certain limitations may apply based on therapeutic appropriateness, legal restrictions, or professional guidelines. Requests can be directed to felicitypsychology@gmail.com or 0481 111 293.

6. Complaints and Concerns

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the handling of your personal information, please contact me directly at felicitypsychology@gmail.com or 0481 11 293. I am committed to addressing all complaints promptly and professionally. If your concerns are not resolved satisfactorily, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or AHPRA for further guidance.

7. Updates to this Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. The most recent version will always be available on the Felicity Psychology website.