Privacy Policy

Purpose of This Policy
Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing collects, works with, and retains its clients’ personal information. This information is important in the optimal provision of psychological 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 Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing 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)
Personal Information
Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you. 
Personal Information Collected
To provide optimal psychological services Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing will collect information from clients or referrers. As a base, the following information will likely be collected:
  • Your name, address, and date of birth.
  • Your contact details.
  • Current and past medical information.
  • Your family medical history to the extent that it may inform current services.
  • Your educational and occupational history.
  • Legal or offending history (in the case of medico-legal services).
In addition, in the provision of psychological services Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing will likely collect the following personal information:
  • Responses and results from psychological tests and questionnaires.
  • Responses and results reasonably obtained as part of other psychological interviews and assessments.
  • This may be in a ‘pencil-and-paper’ format, or via a computer.
  • Information pertaining to your session notes; treatment plan and your response to treatment.
All the above material is used to inform assessment and treatment plans for Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing clients. Inaccurate or insufficient information may result in suboptimal outcomes.
Information Provided to Third Parties
We will collect information from you where it is reasonable and practical to do so. We may also need to collect information from others who have known you a long time (such as a spouse) or from others involved in your care (such as your GP). 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 where appropriate to do so.
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing 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 Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing 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 Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing 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).
Accessing Personal Information
Clients have a right to access their personal information held by Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing. Such requests need to be put in writing for security and recording purposes, and to assist in finding the appropriate information for you.
Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing may need to refuse the request for such information, or limit the information so provided, where legally entitled to do so.  We will always endeavour to provide reasons for such refusal. For example, release of information may be denied or limited where such release may have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, is considered frivolous or vexatious, or has potential to cause harm.
Research and Personal Information
On occasion Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing 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 Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing for the sole purpose of quality evaluation and improvement of services.
Psychologists’ Duty of Care
Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing is guided by the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS’s) Code of Ethics (2007). Section A.4. of the Code relates to the appropriate collection of private information related to the provision of psychological services. Sections A.5. to A.7. relate to Confidentiality, the Release of Information, and the Collection of Client Information from associated parties. Section B.2. of the Code relates to appropriate Record-Keeping. The APS Code of Ethics (2007) can be found at the APS website (www.psychology.org.au).
Under section A.5.2.(c) of the Code it notes for psychologists to disclose confidential information obtained during their provision of psychological services, “if there is an immediate and specified risk of harm to an identifiable person or persons that can be averted only by disclosing information” (p.15).
Clients might also refer to the APS Charter for Clients of Psychologists: Charter for Clients of APS Psychologists
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for the registration of psychologists throughout Australia. Through AHPRA, and under National Law, there are requirements for registered health practitioners to make mandatory notifications to prevent the public from being placed at risk of harm. Revised guidelines took effect from 17th March 2014.
Data Breach Plan
We follow the national requirements. See here:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/
Policy Changes
Changes may be made to this policy over time to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. We encourage all clients and referrers to review this policy periodically to remain informed.
Complaints
Clients have a right to make a complaint about the handing of their personal information.
Complaints can be addressed in the first instance to Rhythm Psychology and Wellbeing by email (info@rhythmpsych.com.au).  We hope to address your complaint as efficiently and effectively as possible, not exceeding 30 days from the receipt of the email.
If you would like to make a complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to your personal information elsewhere, please refer to: