Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information

This document describes the privacy policy of the Lantern Psychology Centre for the management of the personal information of her clients. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Client information

As part of providing a psychological service to you, Lantern Psychology Centre needs to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing psychological services to you. If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way outlined in this form, Lantern Psychology Centre may not be able to provide the psychological service to you.

Purpose of collecting and holding information

Your personal information is gathered as part of your assessment and treatment and retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. It is only accessed by your psychologist, and if necessary, by authorised staff and personnel engaged by this practice in accordance with the practice’s policies and procedures.

Information storage

Client information is stored electronically using Halaxy, a secure Australian-based practice management system. Information is stored on protected servers with industry-standard security measures, including access controls and encryption, and is accessible only to authorised staff involved in your care or practice administration. For more information regarding Halaxyplease see the Halaxy Terms of Use and Halaxy Privacy Policy

Exceptions to Confidentiality

There are situations where your personal information may be released without obtaining your consent, including when:

1. it is subpoenaed by a court; or

2. the psychologist believes you or another person is at risk of serious harm, or

3. it is required because the psychologist must make a mandatory report , or

4. disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.

*Rebates, Third-Party Funding and Reports

If you are accessing Medicare rebates, Medicare requires your psychologist to provide written reports to your referring GP in accordance with the Better Access initiative. Similarly, where services are funded or subsidised by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), or a private insurer, reporting may be required in line with the relevant funding or contractual arrangements. Such reports typically include information about assessment, progress, and recommendations relevant to your care and are limited to what is required for funding, continuity of care, or compliance purposes.

Consultation, Supervision and Privacy

Psychologists are required to engage in professional consultation and supervision to ensure safe and effective care. Where client information is discussed in this context, reasonable steps are taken to de-identify information so that you are not readily identifiable. Information is shared only to the extent necessary for professional purposes and in accordance with professional standards and privacy legislation

Use of AI-Assisted Clinical Note-Taking

This practice may use AI-assisted tools to support the preparation of clinical notes and administrative records. These tools are used as documentation aids only and do not provide clinical advice or make treatment decisions. The use of this tool is optional, and you, as a client, can choose to decline its use. Where used, information is processed and stored in secure, access-controlled systems, with access limited to the treating practitioner and authorised practice staff.

Your data

is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles
None of your data is used for secondary purposes.
Data undergoes a rigorous de-identification process to remove personal identifiers.
Data is handled securely, with encryption and regular audits to ensure compliance.

CCTV

CCTV cameras operate in waiting rooms only for the purpose of maintaining safety, security, and the protection of clients, staff, and property. Any personal information collected through CCTV is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles, and the Surveillance Devices Act 2010 (ACT). CCTV footage is securely stored in Australia in access-controlled systems, with access restricted to authorised personnel only. Footage is retained for no longer than 30 days, unless required for incident review, a complaint, risk management, or a lawful request by a regulatory or law-enforcement authority, in which case it may be retained for longer as permitted by law.

Period of Consent

This consent will remain valid as long as the service continues to be provided. It will lapse if there is a minimum of 2 years without contact following the last appointment. You are also able to withdraw consent at any time, though consent cannot be withdrawn retrospectively (for services that have already been provided).

Confidentiality of information

All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential though there are exceptions.

Your consent will be requested:

1. to provide verbal or written reports* to another professional or agency such as a GP insurer, case manager, rehab provider or lawyer; or

2. to discuss the material with another relevant person, such as a parent, employer or other health provider; or

3. when making associated referrals for yourself or others such as family members as agreed with the psychologist; or

4. to disclose the information in another way requested by you.

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. The psychologist may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 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. All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged in writing at info@lanternpsychology.com.au. These requests will be responded to in writing within 30 days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Alison Christie at info@lanternpsychology.com.au. Upon request, they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled.

Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992 or online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint