Privacy Policy

Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how your personal and sensitive information is collected, used, stored, and disclosed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and other relevant legislation.

1. What Information We Collect

Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology may collect the following types of personal and sensitive information:

Contact Information: Name, address, email address, phone number.
Demographic Information: Date of birth, gender, cultural background.
Health Information (Sensitive Information): Medical history, mental health history, presenting issues, psychological assessment results, treatment plans, session notes, and other health-related information relevant to your psychological care.
Billing Information: Medicare details, private health insurance details, payment card information (processed securely via third-party payment gateways, we do not store full card details).
Referral Information: Details from your referring GP or other health professionals (e.g., Mental Health Treatment Plans).
Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent on the website, referring URLs. This is collected through website analytics (e.g., Wix Analytics, Google Analytics) and cookies.

2. How Your Information Is Collected

Your Information Is collected in several ways:

Directly from You: When you contact Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology via phone, email, or through the website's contact form, book an appointment, complete intake forms, or during your psychological sessions.
From Third Parties: With your consent, your information may be collected from your referring GP, other health professionals involved in your care, or from Medicare/private health insurers for billing purposes.
Automatically via Website: Through cookies and website analytics tools when you visit our website.

3. Why Your Information Is Collected

Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology collects your information for the primary purpose of providing high-quality psychological services and for purposes directly related to the practice, including:

Providing Psychological Services: To assess your needs, develop treatment plans, conduct therapy sessions, and monitor your progress.
Communication: To contact you regarding appointments, send reminders, or respond to your inquiries.
Billing and Rebates: To process payments, manage Medicare rebates (if applicable), and facilitate private health insurance claims.
Legal and Ethical Obligations: To comply with professional ethical guidelines (e.g., those of the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Psychological Society), legal requirements for record-keeping, mandatory reporting, and duty of care.
Practice Administration: For internal record-keeping, appointment management, and maintaining accurate client files.
Website Improvement: To understand how this website is used, improve its functionality, and enhance user experience (this data is typically aggregated and de-identified).

4. How Your Information Is Stored and Protected

Reasonable steps are taken to protect your personal and sensitive information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These steps include:

Secure Practice Management Software: Client files, session notes, and health information is stored securely on an encrypted, password-protected practice management software (i.e., Halaxy) that complies with Australian privacy standards.
Secure Telehealth Platforms: Telehealth sessions are conducted using encrypted and secure video conferencing platforms that meet privacy and security requirements.
Data Encryption: Where possible, data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Access Controls: Access to client information is restricted to authorised personnel (Dr Priyanka Komandur) on a need-to-know basis.
Physical Security: Any physical records are stored in locked cabinets in a secure location (if applicable).
Staff Training: Dr Priyanka Komandur is trained in privacy and confidentiality protocols.

5. Disclosure of Information

Your personal and sensitive information will only be disclosed in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent: When you have provided explicit consent for Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology to share information (e.g., with your GP, other health professionals, family members).
Medicare/Private Health Insurance: For the purpose of processing rebates and claims, necessary billing information may be shared with Medicare or your private health insurer (if applicable).
Clinical Supervision: In accordance with professional ethical guidelines, aspects of your case may be discussed in clinical supervision. Your identity will be de-identified to protect your privacy during supervision.
Legal or Ethical Obligations: When required by law (e.g., subpoena, court order), or when there is a duty of care to protect you or others from serious harm (mandatory reporting obligations).
Third-Party Service Providers: Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology may use third-party service providers (e.g., practice management software, payment processors, website hosting) who may have access to your information to perform services on their behalf. Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology ensures these providers are reputable and have privacy policies that align with Australian standards.

Your personal information is NEVER sold, rented, or traded to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Information

You have the right to request access to the personal and sensitive information Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology holds about you. You also have the right to request corrections to any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.

To request access or correction, please contact Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology in writing using the contact details below. Your request will be responded to within a reasonable timeframe (usually 30 days). You may be charged a reasonable fee for providing access to your records to cover administrative costs. In some circumstances, access may be denied as permitted by law.

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

This website uses "cookies" and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect anonymous usage data. Cookies are small text files placed on your device.

Purpose of Cookies: To remember your preferences, analyse website traffic, and understand how users interact with this site.
Types of Cookies: Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology may use essential cookies (for website functionality), analytical/performance cookies (to collect data on website usage), and potentially functional cookies (to remember choices you make).
Managing Cookies: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can choose to block or delete cookies, but this may affect the functionality of this website.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in their practices, technology, or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the "Last Updated" date at the bottom will be revised. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

9. Contact Information and Complaints

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology's handling of your personal information, please contact the practice at:

Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology

Email: drpriyanka@healandthriveclinicalpsychology.com

Phone: +61 422 485 760

Website: www.healandthriveclinicalpsychology.com

If you are not satisfied with Heal & Thrive Clinical Psychology's response to your complaint, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

Phone: 1300 363 992

Website: www.oaic.gov.au