Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 2026
1. Purpose of This Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Amy Bishop Clinical Psychology (“we”, “our”, “the practice”) collects, stores, uses, and discloses your personal and sensitive information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
2. What Information We Collect
Personal Information
Name, date of birth, address, phone number, email
Emergency contact details
Medicare or private health insurance details
Payment information
Sensitive Information
Mental health history
Medical information from you or other treating professionals
Session notes
Assessment results
Information about risk, safety, or wellbeing
Any other information relevant to your care
3. How We Collect Information
We collect information through:
Intake forms
Face‑to‑face and telehealth sessions
Email, phone, or SMS communication
Referrals from other health professionals
Information you provide via Halaxy
4. How We Store Your Information
Your information is stored securely using:
Halaxy, a secure, encrypted practice management system
Encrypted email services
Secure cloud storage
5. Telehealth Services
Telehealth sessions are conducted using secure, encrypted platforms. We ensure:
Sessions are not recorded
Private, confidential environments
Only authorised clinicians access telehealth systems
Limitations of Telehealth
While telehealth is effective for many clients, it has limitations, including:
Internet outages or unstable connections
Phone reception issues
Device malfunction (e.g., overheating in hot weather)
Reduced non‑verbal cues
Environmental interruptions
If telehealth becomes unsafe or ineffective, we may need to reschedule or switch to an alternative format.
6. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
We may use AI‑assisted tools to support administrative tasks such as:
Drafting session notes
Preparing treatment plans
Summarising clinical information
Privacy Protections
AI tools are used in compliance with the Privacy Act and APPs
Identifying information is not entered without your explicit consent
All AI‑generated content is reviewed by your clinician
You may opt out of AI‑assisted processes at any time
7. Why We Collect and Use Your Information
We collect information to:
Provide psychological assessment and treatment
Communicate with you
Coordinate care (with consent)
Manage billing and administration
Meet legal and regulatory obligations
Consequences of Not Providing Personal Information
You may choose not to provide certain personal or sensitive information. However, this may limit our ability to:
Conduct a thorough assessment
Develop an accurate and effective treatment plan
Provide safe, evidence‑based psychological care
Coordinate with other health professionals
Meet legal or reporting obligations
In some cases, withholding essential information may mean we are unable to offer or continue psychological services.
8. Fees, Rebates, and Cancellation Policy
Information about:
Fees for different services
Medicare and private health rebates
Cancellation policy
is clearly stated on our website www.amybishoppsychology.com
We will make every reasonable effort to keep clients informed of any changes to fees, rebates, or the cancellation policy (for example, via email updates). However, it is also the client’s responsibility to review the information on our website periodically to ensure they are aware of the most current policies.
9. Settlement of Overdue Accounts
If fees remain unpaid, no further appointments will be scheduled until the outstanding balance is settled. This ensures fairness and continuity of care.
10. Disclosure of Personal Information
Your personal information is kept strictly confidential between you and your psychologist at all times. We take confidentiality extremely seriously, and your information will not be shared with anyone else unless you provide consent or an exception applies under Australian law or professional ethical standards.
Confidentiality may only be broken in the following circumstances:
With your consent
When you request or agree for information to be shared with your GP, psychiatrist, or other treating professionals
When you authorise communication with family members, carers, schools, or other third parties
When reports are required for third‑party funders (e.g., NDIS, insurers, compensation schemes)
Without your consent (where required or authorised by law)
If there is a serious and imminent risk to your safety or the safety of another person
If information is subpoenaed by a court or required for legal proceedings
If mandatory reporting obligations apply (e.g., child safety concerns, elder abuse, or other statutory requirements)
If disclosure is necessary to prevent a serious threat to life, health, or public safety
Clinical supervision
Psychologists engage in supervision to maintain high professional standards, and includes case discussion to ensure appropriate clinical direction and standards are maintained, to reflect on various aspects of therapy, and to improve on service delivery and progress towards desired outcomes/client goals. Identifying details are removed wherever possible, and only information relevant to professional development and client care is discussed. You have the right to decline for your presentation to be discussed in supervision, however doing so may detrimentally impact the service provided to you. This can be discussed in further detail if required.
Overseas disclosure
We do not disclose your information to overseas recipients unless:
You provide consent, or
Disclosure is required by law.
11. Access and Correction
You may request access to your information or ask for corrections by contacting enquiry@amybishoppsychology.com.
Fees
A reasonable fee may apply for preparing and providing your records.
Archived Files
Additional fees may apply for retrieving files from deep storage.
12. Consent (Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct)
Our consent processes follow the Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct, available at:
We ensure that:
You receive clear information about services
Consent is obtained before treatment
Consent is ongoing and voluntary
Consent is reviewed when treatment changes
You may withdraw consent at any time
13. Data Breaches
If a data breach occurs, we will:
Act immediately to reduce harm
Notify you
Notify the OAIC if required
14. Complaints
You may raise concerns directly with us. If unresolved, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). You may also seek independent advice from relevant health advocacy bodies.
15. Risks and Benefits of Psychological Services
Potential Benefits
Therapy may help you:
Improve your emotional wellbeing
Understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
Develop coping strategies
Improve relationships
Reduce symptoms
Increase functioning
Work toward personal goals
Potential Risks
You could potentially experience the following negative effects of therapy:
Temporary increases in distress
Emotional discomfort when discussing difficult topics
Changes in relationships
Fatigue after sessions
Telehealth‑related limitations
Therapy may not always lead to expected outcomes
Impact of Withholding Information
Not providing relevant information may:
Reduce assessment accuracy
Limit treatment effectiveness
Affect safety planning
Slow progress
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Ask questions
Decline or withdraw from treatment
Request referrals
Discuss concerns
Changes to the policy
We reserve the right to change the terms of this Privacy Policy from time to time without notice to you. We will communicate any substantial policy updates via email and/or notification via the Website, or the software or its modules. An up-to-date copy of our Privacy Policy will also be made available on our Website or on request.