Our dedication is to enhance our clients' health and well-being through the highest ethical practices. We've established clear rules and guidelines to ensure our operations are transparent and you're well-informed.
Consent
Prior to your visit, we ask that you fill out a Client Consent Form to clarify your understanding of information handling, privacy, fees, and cancellation terms. This form also allows us to liaise with your healthcare providers as needed. We kindly request you renew this consent annually.
general guidelines
Children, Families & Couples
Our commitment extends to supporting the well-being of children, families, and couples. In cases where we identify potential harm, abuse, or neglect involving children, we are legally bound to report such instances to the appropriate authorities, adhering to our role as mandated reporters.
Adolescents (Aged 13-18 years)
For clients aged 13-18, parental discussions about the child's therapy require the child's consent, to ensure privacy and trust. Psychologists may only share information with parents if there's a risk of harm or with the child's agreement. Parents can request a separate meeting if needed.
People at Risk
If a client presents as suicidal or mentally unwell, posing significant risk to themselves or others, our psychologists have a duty of care to ensure client and public safety. In such cases, they may need to inform relevant individuals (family members, doctors, police services) who can assist in managing the situation. Confidentiality cannot be maintained when these circumstances arise, as the safety and well-being of all involved take precedence.
Conflict of Interest
In our smaller community, avoiding conflicts of interest is key. The APS guidelines discourage multiple client relationships to ensure professionalism. For example, therapists providing individual therapy won't also offer family or couples therapy to the same clients. This maintains impartiality and professional integrity. If conflicts are detected, we may refer you to another therapist within our practice.
This policy describes how Shade Tree Psychology handles client information, adhering to the Australian Privacy Principles from the Privacy Act 1988.
Client Information
We maintain client data in a secure electronic system, accessible only to authorised staff, containing essential details for service provision.
Collection of Personal Information
We gather client data through various means during our sessions, including direct submissions and information from other healthcare providers, ensuring comprehensive psychological care. For further details, please refer to our complete privacy policy.
PRIVACY POLICY
Consequence of Not Providing Personal Information
Choosing not to share personal information may impact our service delivery. While anonymity or pseudonyms are options, they might not always be practical, potentially requiring upfront payment for services.
Purpose of Holding Personal Information
We gather personal data to offer tailored psychological support, from evaluation to treatment, ensuring our services are aligned with your needs. This data is crucial for maintaining comprehensive session records.
Disclosure of personal information
Clients' personal information is treated with utmost confidentiality, with some exceptions, including:
Subpoena from a court
Risk to the client's or another person's life, health, or safety
With the client's prior approval, providing written reports to other professionals or agencies, discussing material with authorised individuals, or disclosing information as required by law
Disclosure to professionals or agencies directly related to the primary purpose for which the personal information was collected
When otherwise required or authorised by law
Formal requests by legal guardians for information within a child/adolescent's client file, subject to certain limitations
Letters to GPs as required under a Mental Health Care Plan, with no additional charge
Clients' personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients without consent or legal requirement, and it will not be used, sold, rented, or disclosed for any other purposes.
Treatment
Sessions typically last approximately 50 minutes. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommends a fee of $300 for a standard 50-minute consultation. To make quality psychological services more accessible, our practice offers these sessions at a reduced rate of $220. With a valid referral, the out-of-pocket cost for our sessions is approximately $83.
AFTER HOURS APPOINTMENTS
We provide a limited number of after-hours appointments between 5 pm and 6 pm. The fee for these sessions is $240.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
We accept only credit or debit card payments, which are processed electronically for your convenience.
FEES
Workers Compensation
Consultation fees for clients under Workers Compensation are covered by the insurer. This arrangement ensures that clients can access necessary psychological services without financial burden, facilitating their recovery process.
EAP
For clients accessing services through an Employee Assistance Program, the counseling fees are funded by the employer. This setup allows employees to seek confidential support for personal or work-related issues, promoting overall well-being and workplace productivity.
cancellations
cancellations or rescheduling
If for any reason you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please notify us via email or phone at least 24 business hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Our business days are from Monday to Friday.
For Monday appointments, please inform us no later than the preceding Friday. For cancellations or changes made within the 24-hour cancellation period, or in case of a no-show, Shade Tree Psychology will charge a cancellation fee equivalent to the full amount of your scheduled appointment.
REMINDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESCHEDULING:
Reminders and Opportunity for Changes:We provide notification reminders via emal (72 hours) and text message (48 hours) before your appointment. This gives you an opportunity to make any necessary changes to your appointment before the 24-hour cancellation period and before fees are incurred.