YOUR PRIVACY
We Respect Your Privacy
Surf Your Mind is committed to complying with its obligations under the Privacy Amendment Act (1998) which came into effect on 12 March 2014.
Collection of your Personal Information
In order to provide a better service to our valued clients, we will request certain personal details from you. Your personal information is gathered as part of your assessment and treatment, and is kept securely using Halaxy practice management software. Your information is stored securely in protected data centres with multiple back-ups in place, located in Australia. This data is protected by 256-bit bank-grade security and encryption, meaning patient records, notes, and payment information are protected to the same level required by banks. You can read more about Halaxy’s Privacy and Security here.
Purpose of Collecting and Holding Information
In the interests of your privacy, this information is used only by your psychologist and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary). Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. Halaxy may share your information with trusted providers in order for Surf Your Mind to deliver our services to you. Both Halaxy and Surf Your Mind comply with various privacy legislation, including:
The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”) (including the Australian Privacy Principles under that Act);
Health records legislation, including the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (ACT); and
Marketing legislation, including the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) and the Do Not Call Register Act 2006 (Cth).
Consequence of Not Providing Personal Information
If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way, Surf Your Mind may not be in a position to provide a psychological service to you. Also, Surf Your Mind is required by law to deal with you as an identified individual. In most cases it will not be possible for you to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym.
Disclosure of your Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information to any service providers who provide services in connection with Surf Your Mind - e.g., Halaxy practice management software. This information is only provided if it helps us to be of better service to you. We do not provide or sell your personal information to other organisations.
Storage and Security of your Personal Information
Surf Your Mind takes measures to ensure your personal information is protected from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, disclosure or alteration. Your personal information is stored in secure electronic databases. We use a number of appropriate security procedures and technology to protect this information. We also take measures to remove your personal information when it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected.
Access to Client Information
We take all reasonable steps to ensure that personal information we hold about you is as accurate as is possible. At any stage you are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, subject to exceptions in the relevant legislation. The psychologist may discuss with you the different possible forms of access. If you believe the information we have about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date you are able to contact us at any time and ask for its correction.
Got Concerns About Your Privacy?
If you have any issues you wish to raise with us, or would like to discuss our Privacy Policy, you are welcome to contact us and we will resolve your issue in the best way possible.