Client Information

Client files are held in a secure electronic document management system which is accessible only to authorised employees. The information on each file may include personal information including name, address, date of birth, Medicare details, billing information, credit card information, contact phone numbers for self and emergency contact, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service.

How Clients' Personal Information is Collected

Personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation with Sestan Consulting, including when the client provides information directly via the website, using hard copy forms, correspondence via email, and when other health practitioners or supports provide personal information which might include referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

Purpose of Holding Personal Information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing and treating a client’s presenting issue. Personal information is also collected for the purposes of arranging appointments and delivering psychological support as well as communicating with the client.

The personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service that complies with legal obligations.

Consequence of not Providing Personal Information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Sestan Consulting may not be able to provide the psychological service to the client.

Consent

By engaging us or registering details on our website or by email, and/or using the website or completing a client consent form or otherwise engaging our services, consent is given for collecting, using and disclosing personal information for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy.

Disclosure of personal information

All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential except when:

1.     It is subpoenaed by a court; or

2.     Failure to disclose the information would be in the reasonable belief of the psychologists at Sestan Consulting, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

3.     Your prior approval has been obtained to:

a.     Provide a written report to another professional or agency, eg. GP or a lawyer; or

b.     Discuss the material with another person, eg. A parent, employer or health provider; or

c.     Disclose the information in any other way; or

4.     You would reasonably expect your professional information to be disclosed to another professional or agency (eg. 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; or

5.     Disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or

6.     Consistent with best practise, our psychologists engage in peer supervision (discussion of cases with other psychologists who are bound by the same strict rules of confidentiality) with the purpose of improving the care that you receive in this setting your name and features that may identify you are withheld.

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 or disclose for any other purpose.

Data Storage and Security

We will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we collect and hold from misuse, loss and interference and from unauthorised access and modification, and to make sure it is accurate, complete and up-to-date when we collect, use or disclose it.

To assist us, please ensure correct details are provided to us, and let us know if the information we have is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading (and we will take reasonable steps to correct the information). We may take steps to destroy or permanently de-identify information when it is no longer needed for any purpose for which it may be used or disclosed. We may retain and use de-identified information.

Sestan Consulting use Halaxy as our practice management system to securely store and manage client information, appointments, clinical notes and billing. Halaxy acts as a data processor on our behalf and is bound by its own privacy and security obligations. Your personal information is stored and transmitted through Halaxy in accordance with Australian privacy laws and industry-standard security practices.

You can read Halaxy’s Privacy Policy at https://www.halaxy.com/article/privacy

Privacy in Online Communications

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet or a mobile device is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology. Sestan Consulting use Zoom, a cloud-based video/audio conferencing platform, for Telehealth sessions. When you join a Zoom session, Zoom may collect basic technical information (e.g. device type, IP address, operating system) needed to support the service. Content you share or generate during a Zoom session (video, audio, chat, files, screen sharing, whiteboards, etc.) remains private and is not accessed by Zoom unless explicitly requested by the meeting host or required for legal, safety, or security reasons.

You can access Zoom’s Privacy Statement at https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/privacy/privacy-statement/

Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse trends, and gather demographic information. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but please note that some features of our website may not function properly as a result.

Accessing and Updating Your Information

You have the right to access or modify your personal information held by us. If you would like to do so, please contact us via dmin@sestanconsulting.com.au. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated policy on our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at admin@sestanconsulting.com.au.