Confidentiality, in plain language.
Therapy only works if you can speak freely — and you can only speak freely if you know exactly how your information is handled. So here it is, stated plainly: what we collect, why, what stays confidential, and the specific circumstances where the law requires otherwise.
Records that serve your care.
As part of providing psychological services, your psychologist collects and records personal information relevant to your situation — gathered through assessment, diagnosis and treatment. These records exist to document what happens in sessions and enable your psychologist to provide a relevant, informed clinical service. They're kept secure, and they're kept confidential.
When information can be disclosed.
All personal information gathered by our psychologists remains confidential and secure except in these specific circumstances:
A court subpoenas it
If a court legally compels the release of records, we must comply. If this ever applies to you, we'll discuss what it means for your situation.
Safety requires it
If failing to disclose information would place you or another person at serious risk, your psychologist is obliged to act to keep people safe.
You've given prior approval
With your consent, your psychologist can provide a written report to another professional or agency — such as your GP or a lawyer — or discuss material with a person you nominate, such as a family member.
A note on Medicare and GPs: if you're seeing us under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, your GP receives brief progress reports as part of that arrangement — this is standard to the Medicare pathway and something your psychologist will explain at the start. And for EAP clients: your employer only ever learns the number of sessions used and their dates — never the content of what you discuss.
Frequently asked questions.
Can my partner or family find out what I've said?
Not without your consent. Involving a family member in any way — even confirming you attend — happens only with your prior approval.
Does telehealth change anything?
Telehealth sessions are conducted over secure video conferencing, and the same confidentiality rules apply. Your side of the arrangement matters too — a private space at your end keeps the session as confidential as the room in our clinic.
Can I see my own records?
You can request access to your personal information. Talk to your psychologist or our admin team about the process — there are limited circumstances where access can be affected, and we'll explain anything that applies.
What should I do if I have concerns?
Raise them — with your psychologist directly, or with our admin team on (03) 9349 2745 (Carlton & Ringwood North) or (03) 9131 8737 (St Kilda). Questions about how your information is handled are always fair game.
Speak freely, from session one.
Book online or call — and if anything about confidentiality is on your mind, ask your psychologist at the start. That conversation is part of the service.
Reviewed by Dr Simon Vincenzi, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Clarity Psychology.