As a client of Papaya Counselling, you have certain rights that are important for you to understand. As part of our care for you, this document has been created to inform you about the management of information that you provide to your counselor. During your therapy sessions it is likely that highly personal information will be disclosed, it is important for your confidence in your sessions that you understand how this information is stored and managed responsibly. If you have any questions regarding anything that is listed and explained below please do not hesitate to ask. The Privacy Policy contains information about how to access and seek correction of your personal information, and how should there be a need lodge a complaint about our management of your personal information.

Confidentiality

As part of providing the best possible counseling service to you, your counselor will need to collect and record personal information that is relevant to your current situation. Collection of personal information is a necessary part of psychological assessment and therapy. Information gathered as part of your assessment, diagnosis and treatment is seen only by your counselor and authorized personnel of the practice (as necessary). The information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the counselor to provide a relevant and informed counseling service and care. All personal information gathered by the counselor during the counseling service will remain confidential and secure except when: Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Sylvia Huang place you and/or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety. Your prior approval has been obtained to
a. Provide a written/verbal report to another professional or agency, e.g. a GP or a lawyer; or

b. Discuss the material with another person. e.g. a parent, partner or employer. It is subpoenaed by a court. Disclosure is otherwise required by low, including putting property and risk or admitting having committed a crime or forming the intention to do so. 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.

Consequence of not providing personal information If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this letter or the Privacy Policy, Papaya Counselling may not be in a position to provide the counselling service to you. You may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Papaya Counselling to deal with you or if Papaya Counselling is required or authorized by law to deal with identified individuals. In most cases it will not be possible for you to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, however if we agree to you being anonymous or using a pseudonym, you must pay consultation fees at the time of the appointment.

Exchange of Client Information

There may be times where, as part of the assessment and therapy process, it may be helpful for your counsellor to liaise with other people or agencies that are relevant to your therapy goals (e.g., your GP, specialist, parent, WorkCover, Victims of Crime and etc.). Please note that if you intend to claim rebates from Medicare or another organization funding your sessions then your counsellor must provide summary reports or external agencies regarding your treatment progress. Under the Medicare Scheme these reports will normally be sent to your GP or Psychiatrist.

Accessing your Client Information

At any stage you are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, subject to exceptions in the relevant legislation (these are clearly outlined in the Privacy Policy). Your psychologist may discuss with you different possible forms of access and how to apply for access as outlined in the Privacy Policy. All communications between you and your psychologist become part of your clinical records, which are stored in your client file. Client files are held in a secure filing cabinet that is accessible only by your treating psychologist and authorized personnel of the practice (as necessary).

Cancellation Policy
If, for some reason you need to cancel or postpone your counselling session, please give at least 24 hours notice, otherwise a cancellation fee may apply.

The above explains your rights as a client of a counsellor.