Adaptable Sustainable Psychology is a service provided by The Being Well Process PTY LTD. The Being Well Process PTY LTD collects, works with and retains its clients’ personal information. This information is important in the optimal provision of services. However, it is also important that the information is appropriately managed in accordance with law and ethical guidelines of the profession. This policy outlines how The Being Well Process PTY LTD handles clients’ personal information, in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles.
Relevant Laws and other Documents
The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles 2014 and the Australian Psychological Society – Code of Ethics (2007)
What is personal information?
Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you.
What personal information do we collect and why?
In order to provide optimal services, The Being Well Process PTY LTD will collect information from clients or referrers. As a base, the following information will likely be collected:
Your name, address and date of birth.
Email address and other relevant contact information.
Information provided by third parties
We will collect information from you where it is reasonable and practical to do so. We will always endeavour to keep you reliably informed of the information collected and the source of that information, and where appropriate will seek and obtain written informed consent to contact and retrieve that information.
Use and disclosure of personal information
The Being Well Process PTY LTD will use and disclose personal information for the primary purpose of providing optimal psychological services. This will primarily take the form of a report prepared by the clinician and sent to the referrer or referring agent, plus others involved in the client’s care where applicable. It is noted that in some circumstances Psychologists are required by law to disclose personal information without the consent of the client. Specifically, Psychologists may disclose personal information if a “permitted general situation” exists such as to “lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual, or to public health or safety”. This threat does not need to be imminent. There may be occasions when The Being Well Process PTY LTD discloses the personal information of a client where there is a serious threat to the life, health, or safety of an individual or the public, or on a rare occasion to assist in the location of a missing person.
Storage and security of personal information
All The Being Well Process PTY LTD clinicians will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information of clients from misuse, interference or loss, and from unauthorised modification, access or disclosure. Paper documents containing personal information listed above will be stored under lock. Electronic information containing personal information listed above will be stored and backed up securely, in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics (2007).
Can you access your personal information?
Clients have a right to access their personal information held by The Being Well Process PTY LTD. Such requests need to be put in writing for security and recording purposes and to assist in finding the information for you. The Being Well Process PTY LTD may refuse the request for such information, or limit the information so provided, where it is legally entitled to do so. We will endeavour to provide reasons for refusal. For example, release of information may be denied or limited where such release may have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others or is considered frivolous or vexatious.
Research and personal information
On occasion The Being Well Process PTY LTD will engage in research activities to improve the quality of the service we provide. In such cases, personal information of clients will be used. In this context, the information will not be released to third parties, but will be retained within The Being Well Process PTY LTD for the sole purpose of quality evaluation and improvement of services. In addition, The Being Well Process PTY LTD may engage in academic or scientific research. In such cases clients will be asked to sign a consent form allowing the use of their personal information for the purposes of a specific research project. Such research will be required to have obtained the prior approval of a Human Research Ethics Committee within the Department of Health or the relevant University.
Anonymity and Pseudonymity
Where it is desired by The Being Well Process PTY LTD clients, and is practically and legally appropriate, the option is available to interact with The Being Well Process PTY LTD anonymously or using a pseudonym. This option is not available if doing so is impractical in terms of providing a psychological service or where the law or a court requires clients to identify themselves.
Cookie/Tracking Technology
The Site may use cookie and tracking technology depending on the features offered. Cookie and tracking technology are useful for gathering information such as browser type and operating system, tracking the number of visitors to the Site, and understanding how visitors use the Site.
Cookies can also help customize the Site for visitors. Personal information cannot be collected via cookies and other tracking technology, however, if you previously provided personally identifiable information, cookies may be tied to such information. Aggregate cookie and tracking information may be shared with third parties. Data breach plan
We may from time to time make changes to this policy to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. All clients and referrers are encouraged to periodically review this policy to remain informed.
Complaints
Clients have a right to make a complaint about the handing of their personal information.
Complaints can be made The Being Well Process PTY LTD by email ([email protected]). We will endeavour to respond appropriately to reasonable complaints within 30 days of the receipt of the email. Ultimately, if you wish to make a complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992 or online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/provacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, SYDNEY NSW 2001.