IN.BALANCE is dedicated to providing a service that respects your privacy.
The following policy outlines our obligations to you in respect to how client privacy and confidentiality is managed.

CLIENT PRIVACY

As part of a psychological service to you, IN.BALANCE will collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your current situation and treatment. This information will only be seen by Belinda Paterson and will allow her to provide an appropriate and informed service to you.

To safeguard your personal information, an online practise management software called Halaxy is used. This software is encrypted and equivalent to bank grade security. You can be assured of the security of your personalised information, payment details, and session notes. For more information on Halaxy’s security please refer to the following link: https://www.halaxy.com/feature/bank-grade-security.

Whilst most psychological sessions with IN.BALANCE take place in person at 66 Harp Road, Kew, sometimes, sessions are conducted using the telehealth platform, Covui. Covui was selected by IN.BALANCE due to the security that the platform offers. For more information about Covui’s security, please refer to the following link: About Coviu | Compliance and Security

CONFIDENTIALITY

IN.BALANCE adheres strictly to the APS code of ethics (2007). This will change on 1st December 2025, when a new Code of Conduct supersedes the APS Code of Conduct. As of 1st December 2025, IN.BALANCE will strictly adhere to the Psychology Board - Code of Conduct for Psychologists (2025).

Personal information gathered by your psychologist in the provision of a service (i.e., in the process of referral and intake, assessment and treatment) will remain confidential except for certain circumstances. In most cases, any sharing of information will only occur with your consent. Belinda Paterson asks for your consent to share information when:

• Sharing information with a family member, guardian or carer.

• Discussing with others, such as your employer, or any agencies which may be paying for your attendance.

• Providing a written report regarding your assessment or treatment to another professional or agency, such as a lawyer or insurance company.

• For disclosing the information in any other way not referenced in this document.

In line with best practice and Medicare requirements, Belinda Paterson liaises with your referring GP/family doctor or psychiatrist, if you have one.  This usually involves written correspondence, although sometimes involves telephone conversation/s.  The purpose of this communication is twofold: I) to support a coordinated approach to your mental health with your referring GP/family doctor/psychiatrist; and II) to fulfil Medicare requirements (e.g., under the Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan requirements, treatment summary letters are required when all sessions have been completed under a referral letter). 

Psychologists are required to consult and receive supervision from colleagues from time to time. If your information is shared in this context, all care is taken to deidentify your information in such a way that you remain anonymous. 

All personal information gathered by IN.BALANCE during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential. There are times when your psychologist may release your information without obtaining your consent such as: 

• When a court requires information by issuing a subpoena to Belinda Paterson, or providing information is otherwise required or authorised by law.

• When it is required because the psychologist must make a mandatory report on a concern.

• When the psychologist discloses information because they believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm.

In the event of an emergency, Belinda Paterson will contact the emergency contact supplied by you on your intake form.

WEBSITE PRIVACY

We have adopted the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

What information do we collect and why do we collect it?

We collect information from you when you visit IN.BALANCE, for private consultations, newsletters, responding to a survey or filling out a form. When registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your: name, e-mail address, mailing address or phone number. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

• To personalise your experience. Your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs;

• To improve our website. We continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you;

• To improve customer service. Your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs;

• To process transactions. Your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested;

• To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature;

• To send periodic emails.

Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained;

• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose;

• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.

THIRD PARTIES

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and

• Where required or authorised by law.

SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

IN.BALANCE will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

POLICY UPDATES

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

This Policy was last updated on 20/11/2025.

PRIVACY POLICY COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES

If you have any queries, concerns or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact IN.BALANCE at:

Email: belinda@inbalanceclinicalpsychology.com.au
Telephone: 0459 766 890
Mail: 66 Harp Road, Kew 3101