All MRC psychologists are registered with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria and therefore bound by the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles from the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. As members of the Australian Psychological Society, MRC psychologists are also bound by the current APS Code of Ethics.
As part of providing a psychological service, your practitioner will need to collect and record personal information relevant to your current situation. This information is a necessary part of both the psychological assessment and treatment. If you request it, you are entitled to view or have a copy of the information recorded in your file.
All counselling and psychological services provided by Men & Relationships Counselling practitioners will remain confidential, with the following exceptions:
Client files are held either in a secure electronic environment or in a
secure filing cabinet. This information is accessible only to your practitioner.
(Contact information is also accessible to practice administration.) The information
held includes personal information such as name, contact details and other
information which is relevant to the psychological service being provided.
The information is collected as part of the assessment, diagnosis and psychological
treatment and is seen only by your practitioner. The information is retained
in order to document what occurs during sessions and to assist in providing
a relevant and informed service.
At any stage you may request to see the information about you that is kept on file. Your practitioner may discuss the content with you and / or give you a copy for your own records. Any request by a client for access to information held about them should be lodged directly with your practitioner. These requests will be responded to within seven days and if necessary an appointment will be made for clarification purposes.
