Australasian Psychology Services psychologists are endorsed members (Clinical and/or Forensic) of the Psychology_Board_of_Australia (PBA), in addition to full members of the Australian_Psychological_Society (APS); both governing bodies for professional psychologists. As members of the APS, psychologists are required to abide by the APS Code_of_Ethics and deliver services in accordance with the Charter_for_Clients_of_Psychologists.


Confidentiality
All information discussed in sessions is kept confidential and treated with privacy and respect. Without your explicit consent, personal information will not be disclosed to any third party, including partners and family members. Should it be necessary to discuss your case with a third party, your psychologist will ask you to complete a Client Release of Information form.

The only time a psychologist is required to disclose information about you is if it is demanded by law (e.g., subpoena), or if there is reason to believe that you, or someone else, may be at risk of harm. Wherever possible, any concerns of this nature will be discussed with you before disclosing to another party. Psychologists are bound by the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles from the Privacy_Amendment_(Private_Sector)_Act_2000 and follow strict guidelines for professional conduct that include confidentiality. Your client file, which includes your personal information and session notes, is kept in a secure filing cabinet, which is only accessible to authorized employees. You can ask to see the information that is kept in your file at any time.


Disclosure of Information
Our psychologists are committed to maintaining the highest standard of service delivery. To this end, it is part of the psychologist's professional responsibility to provide short, written communications to your treating physician and/or general practitioner if this is how you were referred (see below). It should be noted that communication of the following information between your psychologist and referring medical practitioner is a requirement of all referrals under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS):

•  The nature of the difficulty that lead to your contact with the psychologist.

•  The services being provided by your psychologist; including assessments carried out and treatment provided.

•  Recommendations on the future management of your condition/disorder.

Please remember that if you do not provide written consent to release the above information to your treating medical practitioner, no correspondence will be entered into. In such cases, you may not be eligible to claim a rebate through either Medicare or you private health fund.


Legitimate Breach of Confidence
There are at least 3 exceptions in which psychologists are required to breach confidentiality without your permission. In the event of any of the following issues arising, Australasian Psychology Services will attempt to contact you prior to notifying the relevant authority:

•  Any disclosure which suggests that a child is at risk.

•  Any disclosure indicating that an individual is at risk of physical and/or criminal harm.

•  A notarised subpoena from a Court to supply information.