Terms of service

These are the terms of service that apply when you use our website (www.joshnguyen.com.au) or services. By using and continuing to use our website and services, you signify your consent and agreement to these terms of service. This website is designed to be used to obtain information regarding our services and for the authorised access of our clients. If you are a parent or legal guardian consenting on behalf of a minor, you agree to these terms on behalf of yourself and the minor.

Amendments

These terms of service may be amended from time to time. Please review the terms of service regularly to ensure you are aware of any changes. We will endeavour to notify you of any significant or substantive changes where possible.

Nature and provision of services

The services provided are not emergency or intended for use in the event of urgent mental health, crisis or medical assistance. Where there is a risk of harm to self or others or immediate urgent assistance is required, please contact emergency services by calling 000.

Payment and fees

For any appointment booked directly or via the website, you agree to pay the stated fees ($275/50-minute therapy session). Telehealth appointments will incur an additional 1.90% processing fee. A full APS fee schedule can be found here. Late arrivals do not extend the session time. Under some special circumstances, I also offer fee reductions – please discuss this with me if required.

The provision of psychological reports or detailed letters (the kind required for legal matters, by workplaces and schools, medical practitioners, insurers, etc.) takes substantial time and so incurs a separate fee. Please discuss this with me and provide as much notice as possible.

We retain the right to modify our advertised fees, or fees applicable to any future service, at any time without prior notice.

Cancellation policy

When a course of therapy is entered into upon mutual agreement, an appointment time is reserved for you (or your child). Appointments are 50 minutes in duration unless otherwise arranged.

Appointment non-attendance or cancellation (including an initial consultation) is subject to a fee up to the total amount of the session. This amount will be automatically debited from the nominated debit/credit card stored on Halaxy. Repeated non-attendance, or late cancellation/re-scheduling may result in changes to payment arrangements or our inability to continue to provide services to you.

By booking an appointment with me you are agreeing to this cancellation policy.

Privacy Policy

The relationship between you (or your child for whom you are consenting) with us (“us/we” refers here to me as your psychologist as well as any professional support staff engaged by me, such as admin assistants or IT technicians) is a professional one with important and specific limitations to what can be kept confidential.

The limits to what we can keep confidential apply to all information of any nature (i.e., during the administrative process, active psychological service delivery, incidental communication exchanges, etc.) that you (or your child) share with us, in any format (via email, telephone call, text, social media, mail, in person, etc).

We keep all information strictly confidential, except under any of the following circumstances:

• When there is a legal obligation to disclose information (e.g. if I or my file notes are subpoenaed);

• If we reasonably believe that the collection, use, or disclosure of such information is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual, or to the public’s health or safety;

• When I access clinical supervision (client information is only discussed in a non-identifiable way, and only with colleagues who are professionally and ethically bound to preserve your confidentiality too);

• To comply with the conditions of your funding (e.g. reporting requirements for sessions funded by a Medicare scheme, your employer, WorkSafe, DVA, NDIS, etc.);

• In following all legal requirements for reporting alleged or suspected child abuse to the relevant authorities as specified by the Government; or

• If you (or your child) disclose information about a registered health practitioner (including yourself) that AHPRA defines as requiring mandatory notification.

In all of the above exceptional circumstances, we make efforts to safeguard patient privacy where possible by disclosing only the minimum, necessary, and relevant information. If we wish to share your (or your child's) information under any circumstances not listed above, we will first gain your consent or the consent of the person/s with legal authority to act on your behalf.

Session notes and records of all other communication are stored securely and comply with relevant privacy laws.

We respect and support your right to make an informed decision about how and what you communicate with us, and so we will alert you to our confidentiality policy and seek your consent to our policy as early in our first communication as we reasonably can. By communicating with us, you are consenting to all information being treated in accordance with our confidentiality policy. If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy and information, please raise these with us at the beginning of our first contact before disclosing anything further.

If you would like to contact us to understand more about this policy or wish to contact us concerning any matter relating to individual rights and your personal Information, you may send an email to info@joshnguyen.com.au.