Psychologists Canberra

Policies

  1. Charter of Client’s Rights
  2. Privacy Policy
  3. New Clients, Cancellation Policy and Fees
  4. Copyright
  5. Disclaimer
  6. Referral Pathway
  1. Charter of Clients’ Rights
In Australia, all psychologists must be legally registered, ensuring that your psychologist is registered with both the Psychology Board of Australia the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Additionally, your psychologist may be a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the country’s largest professional organisation for psychologists. These measures ensure that your psychologist is suitably trained to provide high-quality, ethical care. Public safety is our priority. As a client of an APS psychologist, you have the right to expect the following:
  • You will be treated with respect at all times.
  • Your cultural background and language traditions will be acknowledged and respected.
  • Your consent will be sought before any service begins and as it progresses.
  • You will be informed about confidentiality and the rare circumstances in which it may be breached.
  • You will receive a clear explanation of the services being provided.
  • You will receive a transparent breakdown of fees for your psychologist’s services.
  • The estimated number of sessions needed to reach your goals will be discussed.
  • You can expect skilled, professional services from your psychologist.
  • You and your psychologist will set clear goals to work towards.
  • You are encouraged to ask questions about the services you receive.
NOTE: If you have any concerns about the above matters, please discuss them with your Psychologist. If you have concerns about the conduct of your Psychologist, you may either call the Psychology Board of Australia on 1300 419 495 or the Australian Psychological Society on (03) 8662 3300.
  1. Privacy Policy
Psychologists Canberra Privacy Policy Psychologists Canberra (ABN 59 861 376 527) collects personal information for the purpose of providing psychological services. Psychologists Canberra is committed to best practices in managing the information we collect. Our Privacy Policy is designed to protect your personal information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as outlined in Schedule 1 of the Act. This Policy explains how Psychologists Canberra handles your personal and sensitive information.

Definitions:
  • Personal Information includes any information or opinion about an identifiable individual and encompasses sensitive information.
  • Sensitive Information refers to personal information such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, membership of trade unions, sexual preferences, criminal records, or health-related information.


Our Policy Covers:
  • The types of personal information we collect and hold.
  • How we collect and store personal information.
  • The purposes for which we use and disclose personal information.
  • How you can access and correct your personal information.
  • How to lodge a complaint regarding a breach of the APPs and how we handle such complaints.
By providing personal or sensitive information to Psychologists Canberra, you consent to its use, storage, and disclosure as outlined in this Policy.

Updating Our Privacy Policy:
We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time, with updated versions available on our website. New versions take effect upon publication.

Types of Information Collected:
The information we collect may vary depending on the circumstances, and we gather it in different formats, including verbal, written, audio, and digital. This includes:
  • Personal Information: Contact details, identification details (name, DOB, gender, marital status, etc.), transaction information, Medicare numbers, financial data, etc.
  • Sensitive Information: Health-related information, accessibility needs, dietary requirements, and other details relevant to care.


Collection Methods: We generally collect personal information:
  • Directly from you or a responsible person.
  • From third parties, where permitted by law.
  • Via phone, written correspondence, our website, and other electronic platforms.
In some cases, personal information may be collected through events, surveys, or third-party providers. Data Storage and Security: We take all reasonable measures to protect personal information from misuse, loss, and unauthorized access. Information is stored in secure electronic systems and physical locations, with access restricted to authorized personnel.

Use of Cloud Services:
We use cloud-based applications, such as Microsoft Cloud, to store and manage client data. While we strive to protect personal information, we cannot guarantee 100% security for data transmitted over the internet.

Disclosure of Personal Information: Your personal information may be disclosed:
  • When subpoenaed by a court.
  • When required by law or in situations where there is a serious risk to life, health, or safety.
  • With your consent, for purposes such as preparing reports or sharing information with other health providers.
We may also share your personal information with third parties involved in providing services on our behalf, such as IT service providers or data processors. Your personal information is not sold or rented for other purposes.

Access and Corrections:
You can request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting our Privacy Officer. We will respond to such requests within a reasonable timeframe. If corrections are needed, we will take steps to ensure your information is accurate and up to date. In cases where corrections are not made, you will be provided with a written explanation.

Complaints and Enquiries:
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can lodge a complaint with our Privacy Officer. We will investigate your concerns and provide a response as soon as possible.

Contact Information:
For privacy-related questions or complaints, contact: Privacy Officer Psychologists Canberra 6/13 Napier Close, Deakin 2600 Email: support@psychologistscanberra.com.au If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

  1. New Clients, Cancellation Policy and Fees
New Clients

Psychologists Canberra are currently accepting new clients. We make every attempt to offer an initial 80-minute appointment within three weeks. To improve accessibility and reduce non-attendance, we have implemented a pre-payment booking system. By requiring payment at the time of booking, clients are less likely to book months in advance, which increases appointment availability for those in need, enhances continuity of care, and leads to better therapeutic outcomes.

Cancellation Policy

In order to respect the clinician’s earnings and time, as well as other clients who have been on the waiting list for urgent appointments or potentially waiting months for their initial assessment, Psychologists Canberra has a strict cancellation policy.  Where an appointment is cancelled within two business days the full scheduled fee will be charged unless a medical certificate is provided.  A no-show is considered a cancellation and the full fee will be charged. Please note that cancellation fees cannot be charged to insurance companies or claimed through Medicare, and you will be personally responsible for any cancellation fees incurred. We cannot guarantee that a replacement appointment will be available at short notice..

Fees:

An initial 80-minute consultation with Bronwyn Thompson, Senior Registered Psychologist, costs $400.00, subsequent 50-minute consultations costs $265.00 each. Please note that Psychologists Canberra is not a bulk billing practice, however, with a GP referral under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you can claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $96.65 per session, for up to 10 sessions annually. While many private health funds offer rebates for registered psychologist services, you cannot claim both Medicare and private health rebates simultaneously. As the rebate amounts vary between health funds, please contact your provider for more specific details. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. For further information, please contact our office at support@psychologistscanberra.com.au or call (02) 6282 3302. If you’re ready to schedule your first appointment, please use the link below to book now. Book Your First Appointment Send a Booking Enquiry

  1. Copyright
Psychologists Canberra own this website. Permission to reproduce, adapt, distribute, or transmit any content from this site must be obtained in writing from Psychologists Canberra. This website remains the intellectual property of Psychologists Canberra.

  1. Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is intended for personal use only. It is not comprehensive and should not be used as a substitute for professional psychological diagnosis or therapy from a qualified practitioner. This site includes links to external websites and resources for your convenience. However, Psychologists Canberra is not responsible for the accuracy, quality, or appropriateness of any linked content. Psychologists Canberra disclaims any liability, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for any misuse of the information on this website by individuals, including claims, compensation, litigation, damages, or personal issues.

  1. Referral Pathways
Information for GP’s and Referrers Please note that we are not a bulk billing practice. We accept a variety of referrals, including clients attending privately or those covered under Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, Compulsory Third Party Insurance, and Private Health Insurance. We also see self-managed NDIS clients and collaborate with some NDIS Plan Managers. Additionally, we work with employees whose sessions are pre-approved and funded by their employers. It’s important to know that you don’t always need a referral from a GP, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist to see one of our clinicians. However, to claim a rebate through Medicare, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP or a referral from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for an eligible condition. Please be aware that we do not bulk bill. Please contact us for further information and to make an appointment