Nynke Jacobs Psychology is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines my ongoing obligations to you in respect of how I manage your Personal Information.
The psychological services provided by Nynke Jacobs Psychology are governed by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988(Cth) (“the Act”). The National Privacy Principles govern the way in which I collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au.
What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information I collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers. This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, by text messages, via the website www.nynkejacobspsychology.com, from interviews and from third parties. I do not guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
Purpose of holding personal information
Your Personal Information is gathered and used for the primary purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating your presenting concerns. All personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and to enable the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service.
I may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. During your treatment you may also be asked to complete a short survey which will be used for service development. You may unsubscribe from my mailing at any time by contacting me in writing. When I collect Personal Information, I will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why I am collecting the information and how I plan to use it.
Consequence of not providing personal information
If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Nynke Jacobs Psychology may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to you. In some circumstances, clients may request to remain anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for the treating clinician to deal with the client or if the treating clinician is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by me only:
- For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
- For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
- With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, I will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances I may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case I will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to me by the third party.
Disclosure of personal information
Your personal information will remain confidential unless:
- it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or
- failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the treating clinician place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
- your prior approval has been obtained to:
1. provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or
2. discuss the material with another person, e.g., a parent, employer, health provider, or third-party funder; or
3. disclose the information in another way; or
4. disclose to another professional or agency (e.g., your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.
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, disseminated, or disclosed for any other purpose.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Nynke Jacobs Psychology will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise the risk of consequential serious harm.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, I will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by me for a minimum of 7 years.
Requests for access and correction to client information
At any stage you may request to view and correct the personal information about you kept on file. The treating clinician may discuss the contents with you and/or give you a copy, subject to any exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988. If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact me in writing. Nynke Jacobs Psychology will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. In order to protect your Personal Information, I may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to me that your Personal Information is up to date. I will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information I have is not up-to-date or is inaccurate, please advise me as soon as practicable so I can update my records and ensure I can continue to provide quality services to you.
Concerns
If you have a concern about the management or use of your personal information or privacy, please contact me at: contact@nynkejacobspsychology.com
Upon request you can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe your rights and how your personal information should be handled.
Ultimately, if you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may change from time to time. Any updated versions of this Privacy Policy will be posted on the website www.nynkejacobspsychology.com.