Growth Psychology (ABN:15 613 187 200, located in Alderly, Queensland) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (the Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and manage your personal information. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions, please contact us at reception@growthpsychology.com.au.
1. What Personal Information Do We Collect?
We collect personal information necessary to provide psychological therapy and counselling services. This may include:
- Contact details (name, phone number, email address, postal address)
- Health information and clinical records (diagnosis, treatment history, progress notes)
- Appointment scheduling and attendance information
- Payment information (billing details, payment method)
- Website enquiry information (if submitted through our website contact form)
- Technical data (IP address, browser type, pages visited) via Google Analytics
2. How Do We Collect This Information?
We collect your personal information through:
- Direct contact with you during initial consultation and ongoing therapy
- Intake forms and questionnaires completed during your initial appointment
- Appointment bookings through Zanda Health
- Website contact forms and enquiries
- Automatic collection via website analytics
3. How Do We Use Your Information?
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
- Providing psychological therapy and counselling services
- Managing your appointments (both in-person and online)
- Billing and payment processing
- Communicating with you about your care and services
- Maintaining accurate clinical records as required by AHPRA
- Improving our website and services through analytics
- Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
4. Who Do We Share Your Information With?
We do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances:
- Zanda Health: We use this service for appointment scheduling and management. Your contact information is shared only as necessary to manage your bookings.
- Google Analytics: We collect anonymised website usage data to improve our website experience. This does not identify you personally.
- Website Enquiries: The practice owner or authorised staff may access information from website contact forms for responding to website enquiries only.
- Legal and Health Authorities: We may disclose information if required by law or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect safety or comply with legal obligations.
- With Your Consent: We will not share your clinical or health information without your explicit written consent, except where legally required.
5. How Long Do We Keep Your Information?
Health and clinical information is retained for a minimum of 7 years since last contact in accordance with professional standards and AHPRA requirements. This ensures continuity of care and allows us to maintain a complete history of your treatment.
6. Security of Your Information
We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. This includes:
- Secure storage of physical client files
- Encrypted electronic systems for sensitive data
- Limited staff access to confidential information
- Secure website technology and privacy settings
However, no system is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights and Access to Your Information
Under the Australian Privacy Act, you have the following rights:
- Right of Access: You may request access to your personal and health information held by us.
- Right to Correct: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Right to Privacy: You have the right to expect that your health and personal information is treated confidentially.
- Right to Complaint: You may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if you believe we have breached your privacy rights.
To request access to your information, request corrections, or lodge a complaint, please contact us at reception@growthpsychology.com.au.
8. Confidentiality and Therapy
All information you share during therapy is strictly confidential and protected by professional privilege. Information is disclosed only with your explicit written consent, except where:
- There is an immediate risk of harm to you or others
- We are required to disclose by law or court order
- It relates to abuse or exploitation of a child or vulnerable person
9. Online Sessions
For clients receiving telehealth or online sessions, additional privacy considerations apply:
- Ensure you are in a private, secure location for sessions
- We use secure communication technology to protect your privacy
- Sessions should not be recorded without prior written consent
10. Third-Party Services
Zanda Health: Our appointment booking system. Their privacy policy is available on their website.
Google Analytics: We use this to understand website usage. Google collects anonymised data. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
11. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website.
12. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Growth Psychology
Email: reception@growthpsychology.com.au
Location: Queensland, Australia
Making a Complaint:
If you wish to lodge a complaint about our privacy practices, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
Website: www.oaic.gov.au / Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au / Phone: 1300 363 424
