Privacy policy.
Harmony Psychology values and respects the privacy of the people we deal with. Harmony Psychology is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and other applicable privacy laws and regulations.
This Privacy Policy (Policy) describes how we collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information, and how we maintain the quality and security of your personal information.
What is personal information?
“Personal information” means any information or opinion, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. In general terms, this includes information or an opinion that personally identifies you either directly (e.g. your name) or indirectly.
What personal information do we collect?
The personal information we collect about you depends on the nature of your dealings with us or what you choose to share with us.
The personal information we collect may include:
→ name
→ mailing or street address
→ date of birth
→ email address
→ phone number
→ Medicare or insurance details
→ GP or referrer details
→ emergency contact details
→ details relating to your mental health or personal history relevant to psychological services
Under certain circumstances, Harmony Psychology may need to collect sensitive information about you. This might include any information or opinion about your health, mental health history, cultural background, or other sensitive matters.
If we collect your sensitive information, we will do so only with your consent, or where required or authorised by law, and we take appropriate measures to protect the security of this information.
You do not have to provide us with your personal information. Where possible, we will give you the option to interact with us anonymously or by using a pseudonym. However, if you choose not to provide certain information, we may not be able to offer you psychological services or respond to your requests.
How do we collect your personal information?
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
→ attend appointments with our clinicians
→ communicate with us over the phone, email, or online
→ complete intake or consent forms
→ fill out questionnaires or assessments
→ interact with us via our website or social media
→ are referred by a GP, health professional, or other referrer
Collecting personal information from third parties
We may also collect your personal information from third parties, such as your GP, other health professionals, or referral services, when it is relevant to the services we provide.
We collect this information to ensure we have a full understanding of your needs and can offer the most appropriate support.
How do we use your personal information?
We use personal information in connection with our services and operations, including to:
→ provide psychological services to you
→ communicate with you regarding appointments or administrative matters
→ liaise with referrers or other health professionals (with your consent)
→ improve the quality of our services and client care
→ comply with legal and professional obligations
→ manage our internal operations and systems
Disclosure of personal information to third parties
We may disclose your personal information to third parties in line with this Policy and only in ways you would reasonably expect. These may include:
→ your GP or referring health professional (with your consent)
→ third-party IT or practice management software providers (e.g. Halaxy or PowerDiary)
→ professional service providers (e.g. accountants, legal advisors, clinical supervisors)
→ in situations where disclosure is required by law, such as risk of harm
Transfer of personal information overseas
Some of our third-party service providers may have servers located outside Australia, such as in the United States or other countries. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate data protection measures are in place.
We will only disclose personal information overseas if:
→ you have consented, or
→ the recipient is subject to similar privacy protections, or
→ the disclosure is required or authorised by law
How do we protect your personal information?
Harmony Psychology takes reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we hold is secure. This includes:
→ secure electronic practice management systems with password protection
→ access restricted to authorised staff only
→ regular data backups and encrypted storage
→ physical security measures in our office
→ training staff in confidentiality and privacy procedures
Online activity
Cookies
Our website may use cookies to improve user experience. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though some website functions may be affected.
Website analytics
We may use Google Analytics or similar services to better understand website traffic. This data is mostly anonymous, but under certain conditions may be linked to identifiable information.
Direct marketing
We may send you updates, articles, or service information if you have opted in. You can opt out of these communications at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link or contacting us directly.
Retention of personal information
We retain personal information for as long as it is required for the provision of services and to meet legal obligations, including clinical record-keeping requirements under Australian law (typically a minimum of seven years or until a minor turns 25).
How to access and correct your personal information
Harmony Psychology aims to keep your information accurate and up to date. You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting us. We will usually respond within 14 days and may require proof of identity before processing your request.
Links to third-party sites
Our website or communications may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Inquiries and complaints
If you have a complaint about how Harmony Psychology handles your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer. We may request full details of your concern and proof of identity. We aim to respond within 14 days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
How to contact us
If you have a question or concern in relation to our handling of your personal information or this Policy, you can contact us at:
Email
reception@harmonypsychology.net.au
Contact number
0415 307 417
Post
Attention: Harmony Psychology Privacy Officer
44 Central Drive
Sippy Downs QLD 4556