Disclaimer and Informed Consent

1. Parties who access your personal information

• “You” – the client receiving therapy, or the parent/guardian/person arranging services.
• Your treating “psychologist” – Gladiss Warda of Gladiss Warda Psychology.
• Administrative/billing “provider” – Changes Psychology manages bookings, billing and claims.
• Practice “software” – Halaxy, Dropbox, Gmail and other secure platforms.

Collectively, all parties (except you) are referred to as “we”. By signing, you acknowledge the roles of your psychologist, provider, and software.

2. Informed consent

• Your psychologist will explain treatment purpose, process, benefits, risks and alternatives.
• You may ask questions, request changes, seek second opinions or withdraw consent anytime.
• Consent may be reviewed if treatment goals, risks, fees or parties involved change.
• You may withdraw consent for information sharing, noting this may affect service provision or rebate eligibility.

3. How we use your personal information

• We collect and manage personal and health information to operate as a virtual clinic office.
• Information is used to:
  • facilitate appointments
  • manage payments, Medicare and insurance claims
  • maintain accurate appointment records
• Information is managed according to legal and industry standards.
• Storage: Records are securely stored in Halaxy and Dropbox using encrypted, access-controlled systems.

4. Confidentiality and limits to confidentiality

• Information is confidential except when:
  • subpoenaed by a court
  • there is immediate risk of harm to yourself or others
  • you provide prior approval to:
    • give a report to another professional/agency
    • discuss information with another person
  • a regulatory or funding body requests information
  • disclosure is legally, ethically or professionally required

5. Information sharing

• Written consent is required to exchange information with ex-partners, teachers, health professionals or others.
• For Medicare or funded services, summary reports must be provided to the referring practitioner or agency.

By agreeing, you consent to this necessary information sharing.

6. Peer supervision

• Your information may be shared in de-identified form for peer supervision to support best practice.
• You may opt out by advising your psychologist.

7. Consent for note-taking software

• Your psychologist uses Goodnotes or Novonote for AI assisted scibing and note-taking.
• Summaries are drafts, not full transcripts.
• You may opt out anytime.
• Privacy information: Goodnotes Privacy Policy and Novonote Privacy Policy

8. Consent for telehealth sessions

• Services may be provided via phone or videoconference.
• Internet communication carries security risks—please use a private, secure location.

9. Session fees and payment

• Fees are provided in your confirmation email.
• Fees may increase over time.
• New clients must complete the claiming/consent form and $50 booking deposit (credited to first session).
• Card details are securely stored in NAB Transact via Changes Psychology.
• Payments appear as “Changes Psychology” on statements.
• Payments and Medicare rebates are processed after the session.
• Phone consultations (10+ mins) incur proportional fees.
• Report and letter writing attracts additional fees.

10. Cancellation policy

• 24 hours' notice required to cancel or reschedule without cost.
• Less than 24 hours’ notice incurs a fee equal to the full session fee.
• Clients funded by Workcover, EAP or similar must personally pay cancellation fees.