Consent and Confidentiality

Psychological Service

As part of providing a service to you, Talked needs to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your presenting concerns, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information. This information informs the assessment and treatment being provided and is only shared with the therapists you engage with. You do not have to give all personal information, but if you don’t this may mean the psychological service may not be able to be provided to you.

Access to client information

Electronic and SMS communication

For administrative communication regarding session times and other such issues, you will be communicated to via your email address. You may also receive a session reminder SMS on your phone. If you do not wish to receive email or SMS communication for this purpose, please inform us.

Privacy in online communications

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet or a mobile device is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology. Talked's video conferencing or therapy chatroom messaging service may be used for telehealth sessions.  These services only transmit encrypted information. During your video sessions no recordings, sounds or pictures will be taken or stored. Therapists will seek your written consent if they wish to use the material for other purposes (such as consultation with colleagues).

Confidentiality and its limits

All personal information gathered by your therapist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential except when:

1. It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or
2. Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of your therapist, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or
3. You would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected; or
4. Your prior approval has been obtained to:
   1. provide a written report to another professional or agency. e.g. GP, school or a lawyer; or
   2. discuss the material with another person, eg. a parent, employer or health provider; or
   3. disclose the information in another way.

Limitations of telehealth

A telehealth consultation may be subject to limitations such as an unstable network connection which may affect the quality of the session provided. In addition, there may be some services for which telehealth is not appropriate or effective. Your therapist will consider and discuss with you the appropriateness of ongoing telehealth sessions.

Our messaging service should be used for administrative purposes only. We are not crisis centre and our clinicians are under no obligation to respond to emotional discussions on messages.

Fees

Fees are dependent on a number of factors including the length of consultation (usually 50 minutes), the therapist you are seeing, the service being provided and your form of referral. All fees are taken at the time you make a booking, or if your therapist scheduled your booking the fee will be taken 48 hours before your session starts.

Cancellation policy

You will get a full refund (including the platform fee), provided you cancel with at least 48 hours notice of your session. If you cancel your session within 24-48 hours of the scheduled session then you will receive a 50% refund.

If you cancel your session within 24 hours of the scheduled time or if you do not attend your session you will not be eligible for a refund.