This Disclosure Statement is a representation of our informed consent and service agreement. It sets out the general and common terms that apply across all psychological services provided by The ProActive Psychology Practice Pty Ltd. Specific information and consent forms apply to each of our individual programs and are provided to you upon commencement of those services. This document is provided for information only.
Your consent is required for us to provide a psychological service. This statement contains important information about the psychological services we offer and how your personal details are managed and stored by The ProActive Psychology Practice Pty Ltd. Please read it carefully so that you understand it. Your psychologist will check your understanding and answer any questions before treatment begins. Please take the time necessary to read, consider, and ask questions before agreeing and providing your consent.
As part of providing a psychological service, such as a psychological assessment or treatment, we will need to collect and record personal information that is relevant to your current situation. This information is a necessary part of the services provided and guides treatment. You do not have to give all your personal information, but choosing not to share relevant information may mean that the psychological service is affected.
Your personal information is gathered as part of your assessment and treatment. Your information is confidentially retained to document what happens during sessions and to enable your psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service. At times, and with your consent, we may also gather information from others to help inform the service. That information is treated in the same way as your personal information.
Your information is stored securely. It is only accessed by your psychologist and, as required, by authorised staff and personnel engaged by the practice, in accordance with the practice’s applicable policies and procedures (copies of which may be viewed on request). Your information is stored securely using encrypted systems, including our practice management software. Records are retained for the legally required period and then securely destroyed. A more detailed description is provided in our Privacy Policy, which can be obtained by contacting the office. If you have any concerns that the information recorded is not correct, please discuss your concerns with your psychologist.
Psychologists are required to keep clear and accurate client records as part of their professional obligations. If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, we may not be able to provide the psychological service to you. Please discuss any concerns you may have with your psychologist.
At any stage, you are entitled to access the personal information kept on your file. There may be some exceptions to this, which are outlined in the relevant legislation or policies. If you would like to access your information, please discuss it with us or make a request in writing.
Personal information gathered by your psychologist will remain confidential except in certain circumstances. In most cases, any sharing of information will only occur with your consent.
With your consent, information may be shared for purposes such as:
Psychologists are required to consult and receive supervision from colleagues from time to time. Where your information is shared in this context, every effort is made to de-identify it so that you remain anonymous. All supervising psychologists are bound by the same confidentiality and ethical obligations. To protect your privacy and maintain professional boundaries, our psychologists cannot engage with clients through social media or accept online contact.
There are times when your psychologist is legally or ethically required to release information without your consent. This may occur when:
Your psychologist will explain these limits to you and may discuss them if they become relevant to your care.
The goal of psychological treatment is to help you feel better about yourself and to support your psychological wellbeing. Treatment requires your active involvement, together with the support and guidance of your psychologist. Psychological treatment may involve discussing or processing painful issues or memories, which can lead to strong emotional reactions during or between sessions. It is important that you tell your psychologist if you notice your symptoms worsening, or if you feel you are not improving at the pace you expect. Your psychologist will work collaboratively with you to review and adjust your treatment if needed.
A standard consultation is up to a one-hour period. This time may include, but is not limited to:
The number and length of sessions depend on your referral and individual circumstances. Where outcome measures or questionnaires form part of your care, your psychologist will discuss these with you and when they are to be completed.
You will receive a text reminder for every appointment. We require you to confirm each appointment by replying “yes” to the reminder or by contacting our practice. If you do not confirm or attend, your appointment may be offered to another client.
Regular attendance is important for therapy to be effective. Consistency helps your psychologist monitor your progress, review your goals, and plan treatment appropriately. If you need an attendance letter for work, school or other purposes, we can provide one on request.
For child therapy, parents must drop off and collect their child in person, and children must be signed in and out by an adult. A parent or carer must remain onsite or within five minutes of the clinic in case we need to contact you during the session, and must return to the clinic 15 minutes before the end of the appointment to collect their child.
If you need to change an appointment, we require at least 2 full working days’ notice. For changes made with less than 2 full working days’ notice, or for non-attendance, a fee may apply in accordance with the terms of your specific program or service. Any applicable fee is payable on the same day as the cancelled appointment.
What “2 full working days” means: Two full working days must sit between the day you contact us and the day of your appointment. Weekends and public holidays do not count. If there is a public holiday in between, you need to tell us even earlier.
| Your appointment is on… | Tell us by the end of… |
|---|---|
| Monday | Wednesday the week before |
| Tuesday | Thursday the week before |
| Wednesday | Friday the week before |
| Thursday | Monday this week |
| Friday | Tuesday this week |
We understand that sudden illness or unexpected personal emergencies may occur. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible to explain the situation. If you contact us at the time of your consultation, or do not attend without prior notice, a fee may apply.
It is important that you arrive on time. If you are more than 20 minutes late, the session will not be able to proceed, as this is not enough time for effective therapy. In these cases, the session will be treated as a missed session and a fee may apply.
Requests for psychological reports or supporting letters (for legal, work-related, university, school, or government purposes) are subject to pre-approval. These services require additional time outside of the allocated session time and, if deemed appropriate, will attract additional fees as a fee-for-service. Please discuss report requests and expected costs with your psychologist.
Where you are referred under a Mental Health Treatment Plan or similar arrangement, you may be required to attend regular review appointments with your GP. Your psychologist will advise you of any review requirements that apply to your care.
Your psychologist may offer sessions via telehealth when clinically appropriate. Telehealth has benefits and limitations, and privacy depends on your chosen environment. You must select a private, safe, and quiet location for your session. Telehealth sessions cannot be held in public places such as shopping centres, cafés, or while driving a motor vehicle. If a session occurs in an unsuitable or unsafe location, it will be treated as a missed session. Your psychologist will discuss suitability and safety when offering telehealth as a mode of treatment.
Our practice uses our practice management software for scheduling, record keeping, secure messaging, and payment processing. Telehealth sessions may be delivered through a secure and compliant video platform.
The ProActive Psychology Practice Pty Ltd is not a crisis service and cannot provide immediate support outside business hours. If you require urgent assistance, please contact your GP or nearest hospital emergency department, or call one of the following:
Your psychologist can also provide other service numbers relevant to your needs.
We have a NO GIFTS policy for our staff. This helps maintain ethical work standards and avoid conflicts of interest. Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any concerns about your contact with our clinic, please discuss these with your psychologist, if you are able. If you would like to make a complaint, you may do so by contacting us either by phone or in writing.
By accepting psychological services from The ProActive Psychology Practice Pty Ltd, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the information in this statement and accept the services offered under these conditions. This consent covers the period of service from the time you commence treatment until your file is formally closed. A new consent will be required if there is a significant change to the services provided.
You may withdraw your consent at any time by telling your psychologist or putting the request in writing. You cannot withdraw consent for any service that has already occurred.
This document is provided for information only. Program-specific information and consent forms apply to each service and will be provided upon commencement.
