Your privacy matters here - not as a compliance formality, but as a genuine part of how this practice operates.

This policy explains what personal information Bellingen Psychology collects, why it is collected, how it is stored and protected, and what your rights are in relation to that information.

Bellingen Psychology is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the thirteen Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the health records provisions applicable to psychological practice in NSW. As a registered health practitioner, Rosie Adam is also bound by the confidentiality obligations of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics and the AHPRA/Psychology Board of Australia professional standards.

1. Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to anyone who:

• Visits or uses the Bellingen Psychology website (bellingenpsychology.com)

• Contacts Bellingen Psychology by email, phone, or through the website contact form

• Becomes a client of Bellingen Psychology

• Accesses services through Halaxy, the practice management platform used by this practice

2. What information we collect

Personal information includes any information that identifies you or could reasonably identify you. Bellingen Psychology may collect:

• Your name, date of birth, and contact details (phone, email, address)

• Emergency contact details

• GP or referral information

• Medicare and health fund details (where applicable)

• Payment information (processed and stored securely via Halaxy)

• Information you provide through the website contact form

Sensitive information - health and psychological records includes:

• Information you share during sessions about your mental health, history, and circumstances

• Clinical notes, assessment records, and any reports prepared as part of your care

• Correspondence relevant to your treatment, including GP communications

Sensitive information receives the highest level of protection under the Privacy Act and is treated with particular care throughout your engagement with this practice.

3. Why we collect your information

Your personal and health information is collected for the primary purpose of providing you with psychological services. This includes:

• Conducting initial assessments and understanding your needs

• Delivering ongoing psychological treatment

• Maintaining accurate clinical records consistent with professional and legal obligations

• Processing payments and Medicare rebates

• Communicating with your GP or other treating practitioners, where you have provided consent

• Meeting mandatory reporting obligations where they apply (see Section 6)

Information collected through the website (such as contact form enquiries) is used solely to respond to your enquiry and is not retained beyond that purpose.

4. How your information is stored and protected

Clinical records are stored securely within Halaxy, a purpose-built healthcare management platform that complies with Australian privacy law. Halaxy uses encrypted storage, access controls, and regular security audits to protect your data. You can read Halaxy's privacy policy at halaxy.com.

Email and contact communications are stored within a password-protected, professionally managed email system. Where communications contain sensitive health information, your psychologist will use Halaxy's secure messaging function where possible.

Paper records, if any are created during sessions, are stored in a locked and secure location accessible only to authorised practice staff.

Bellingen Psychology takes reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, and disclosure. No data storage system is entirely without risk, and if you have concerns about a particular channel of communication, you are welcome to raise this directly.

5. Who your information may be shared with

Your information will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except in the circumstances described in Section 6 below.

With your consent, information may be shared with:

• Your GP or referring doctor, for the purpose of coordinating your care

• Other treating health practitioners, where clinically relevant and with your knowledge

• Medicare Australia and the Department of Human Services, for the purpose of processing rebates you have requested

Halaxy operates as a data processor on behalf of this practice. Your data stored within Halaxy is subject to Halaxy's privacy and security standards, which are consistent with Australian law.

Bellingen Psychology does not sell, rent, or share your personal information for marketing purposes. Ever.

6. Exceptions to confidentiality

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychological practice. There are, however, specific circumstances under which a psychologist is legally or ethically obligated to disclose information without your consent. These are:

Risk of harm - If there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or to another identifiable person, disclosure may be necessary to prevent that harm. This is assessed carefully and, wherever possible, discussed with you first.

Mandatory reporting - As a registered health practitioner, Rosie is a mandatory reporter under NSW child protection legislation. If information disclosed during a session gives reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of significant harm, this must be reported to the relevant authority.

Court subpoena or legal order - If clinical records are subpoenaed by a court, Bellingen Psychology is legally required to comply. You would be informed of this to the extent permitted by law.

Serious crimes or domestic violence - In limited circumstances where disclosure is necessary to prevent or report a serious crime, or where there is risk of significant harm in a domestic violence context, disclosure may occur in accordance with applicable law.

These exceptions are narrow. They do not apply to general distress, difficult circumstances, or the content of sessions more broadly. If you have questions about how confidentiality applies in your specific situation, you are encouraged to ask your psychologist directly before or during your first session.

7. Your rights

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to:

Access your information - You may request access to the personal information Bellingen Psychology holds about you. Requests should be made in writing to support@bellingenpsychology.com.au. We will respond within 30 days. In some circumstances, access to clinical records may be limited where disclosure could cause harm - this will be explained clearly if it applies.

Correct your information - If you believe information held about you is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date, you may request a correction. We will take reasonable steps to correct it promptly.

Withdraw consent - Where your information is being used on the basis of your consent (for example, for communication with your GP), you may withdraw that consent at any time by notifying us in writing. Withdrawal of consent does not affect information already shared or obligations already incurred.

Make a complaint - If you believe your privacy has been handled inappropriately, you are encouraged to raise this with your psychologist directly in the first instance. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au, or with AHPRA at ahpra.gov.au.

8. Website and cookies

The Bellingen Psychology website is hosted on Squarespace. Squarespace may collect standard website analytics data including pages visited, time on site, and general location. This data is aggregated and anonymous - it does not identify you personally and is not linked to any clinical information.

No additional tracking, advertising, or analytics tools are used on this site. No cookies requiring consent are placed by this practice.

9. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in law, practice, or technology. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent version. Significant changes will be communicated to current clients directly where relevant.

10. Contact and complaints

For any questions about this privacy policy or how your information is handled:

Email: support@bellingenpsychology.com.au ABN: 36 240 075 929

For independent advice or to lodge a complaint: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: oaic.gov.au or 1300 363 992 AHPRA: ahpra.gov.au or 1300 419 495

This policy was prepared in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, and the professional obligations of registered psychologists in Australia.