1. Purpose of This Form

This consent form ensures you are fully informed about what to expect from therapy, your rights as a client, how The Talk Shop manages your personal information, and how we may use technology to support your care. By signing this form, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to these terms.
 

2. Nature and Purpose of Psychological Services

Your Psychologist will provide evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment. Sessions may involve exploring personal experiences, identifying goals, and developing strategies for emotional and psychological well-being. You have the right to ask questions about your treatment at any time.

Psychology services vary depending on the personalities of your psychologist and you as the client and the particular reasons you are seeking psychological support. There are many different methods your psychologist  may use to address the issues you hope to work on. Psychology and psychotherapy call for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on strategies discussed both during sessions and at home.  

Your first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, the psychologist will be able to offer you some first impressions of what your work will include and a treatment plan to follow. If you have questions about the  procedures, you should discuss them when they arise. You are able to cease therapy with the psychologist at any time. If you feel uncomfortable with what is happening in a session, you may request that the session cease at any time. 

3. Access to your information

As part of providing psychological services, relevant personal information about the current situation will be collected and recorded. The information will assist in providing an appropriate and thorough service. Information will be stored in a secure location. We are required to keep your file for a minimum of seven years, or if clients are under the age of 18 at the time of treatment, until they are 25 years of age. You may access the information in your file on request, subject to the exceptions in the National Privacy Principles.

4. Confidentiality

All personal information remains strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without your consent, except in the following situations:

• If there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
• If required by law (e.g., subpoena, mandatory reporting obligations).
• To coordinate care with other professionals, including your GP, with your consent.
• During professional clinical consultation to ensure quality of care (identifying details remain confidential).
• When disclosure is reasonably expected and directly related to the purpose for which the information was collected (e.g., treatment progress updates to your GP).
• Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at risk of harm 
• Given your prior approval or consent of a parent or guardian who is legally authorised to act on your behalf to provide a written report to another professional or agency or discuss information with another person, e.g., parent or employer
• You would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency, and disclosure is directly related to the primary purpose for which it was collected, such as to inform your GP of treatment and progress 
• Clinical consultation with another professional is required to provide better services. If this occurs, identifying details will remain confidential.  
• If, during your treatment, the psychologist becomes aware of a risk to someone’s life, health, or well-being, the psychologist is required to report the matter to the appropriate agencies. 

Your file may be securely stored electronically and accessed only by authorised staff for administrative or clinical purposes. 

Please see the Privacy Policy for the Management of Personal Information for further information at https://u.thetalkshop.au/privacy

Telehealth Services:
 In addition to in-person sessions, we offer telehealth (video or phone) services. Telehealth is governed by the same ethical, professional, and legal obligations as face-to-face therapy.

5. Limits of Confidentiality in Telehealth

When engaging in telehealth sessions, we take every precaution to protect your privacy. However, there are some inherent limitations related to technology security. You are encouraged to participate in sessions from a private, secure location and use a secure network.

By signing this consent form, you acknowledge that you understand the following:  

You understand that the benefits of telehealth/video conferencing therapy sessions can include: 

• Continued access to your psychologist. 
• Continued therapeutic support as part of your treatment plan. 
• Avoiding the need for you to travel to your psychologist. 

You understand the potential risks of telehealth/video conferencing sessions include: 

• Telehealth/video conferencing may not feel the same as face-to-face sessions. 
• Technical problems could affect the video/sound quality or connection, which may disrupt the session in some ways. 
• Although your psychologist chooses video conferencing software, which has end-to-end encryption and high-security standards, there is still a small risk of hacking or others tapping into the video connection. 

You understand that your psychologist takes necessary precautions to ensure confidentiality, including: 

• Ensuring the privacy of the telehealth session is upheld in the same way an in-person session would be, by choosing a private location or using headphones. 

You understand the payment and/or Medicare processes for telehealth sessions, and you agree to comply with these requirements. 

You understand that you can ask questions about the telehealth session anytime.  

You understand that attending a telehealth/video conferencing session is not compulsory, and you can withdraw consent at any time. 

If you do not wish to continue or if technical difficulties interfere with the session to the point where it cannot continue, a phone consultation will be offered as an alternative. 

This consent remains valid for the duration of your care at The Talk Shop and will be reviewed if the nature of your treatment changes, upon your request, or after 12 months.

6. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Service Delivery

The Talk Shop may use secure, approved AI technologies to support the delivery of high-quality and efficient psychological services. This may include tools that assist psychologists with:

• Clinical note-taking and report drafting.
• Treatment formulation and documentation.
• Administrative and communication processes (e.g., appointment reminders, intake coordination).

These tools are never used to make clinical decisions about your care. Your psychologist remains fully responsible for your treatment. All AI use complies with privacy, ethical, and legal obligations under Australian law.

• AI systems used are secure and compliant with relevant privacy standards.
• Personal and health information is handled in accordance with privacy legislation.
• You have the right to ask how AI is used in your care at any time.
• Any information processed through AI tools is protected, minimised to what is necessary, and stored securely.
  
  

7. Fees and Payment

Our current fees can be found at https://u.thetalkshop.au/prices 

Fees depend on the psychologist type and session length. Payment is required before the time of service.

You understand that your treating psychologist is entitled to set the professional fee as outlined. You understand and accept that it is your responsibility to pay the required fee upfront. If you are eligible for Medicare rebates, you understand that you are required to pay the full amount and are responsible for claiming the Medicare rebate directly from Medicare yourself, although the Accounts Team at The Talk Shop will assist in lodging Medicare Claims where possible.

You understand and agree to pay the professional fee in the method that has been outlined prior to the provision of the service or immediately upon to the conclusion of the service provided.  You understand that you can ask questions and discuss concerns about the professional fees with the Accounts Team at The Talk Shop (accounts@thetalkshop.com.au) at any time.

Private Health Insurance

Some health insurance policies cover psychology services. Please check with your insurance company as to what you are eligible for.

Cancellation Policy

• If you need to cancel or postpone your appointment, with less than 24 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee as listed in the price list applies
• Missed appointments or late cancellations (same-day) incur the full session fee.

This fee will need to be paid on or before your next visit. Please make every effort to notify the practice if you cannot attend an appointment - there are often other clients waiting for appointments, and it would be appreciated if other clients could be given the opportunity to come in. To cancel or rearrange an appointment, please call 1300224665

• Cancellation fees are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
• Many other third party funders (such as Workcover, TAC, etc) also do not cover Cancellation fees, and these always remain your responsibility, regardless of who is funding your appointments.
  
  

8. Medicare, Rebates and Other Funding

Some clients may be eligible for rebates through Medicare, NDIS, TAC, WorkSafe, VOCAT, DVA, or other funding bodies. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are eligible and that any required paperwork is completed prior to your appointment. Not all services are covered by rebates.

Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access), Medicare rebates are available to clients with an assessed mental disorder. Medicare rebates are accessed with a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from a medical practitioner such as a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. The rebate is limited to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year and is only available with a valid referral. Please note the maximum number of sessions per referral is six, and rebates will not be given beyond the number stated on the referral.

9. Your Rights as a Client

You have the right to:

• Receive respectful, professional, and culturally sensitive services.
• Ask questions and be informed about your treatment.
• Withdraw consent or discontinue services at any time.
• Request access to your clinical record (subject to legal limitations).
• Make a complaint if dissatisfied with services.

If you have concerns, please speak directly with your psychologist or contact our Practice Manager. If unresolved, complaints can be made to the relevant regulatory body, such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or the Health Complaints Commisioner.

10. Emergency and Crisis Support

The Talk Shop is not an emergency or crisis service. 

In an emergency, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. 

For after-hours support, you can call: 

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
  
  

11. Telehealth Consent

By engaging in telehealth, you understand: 

• Your psychologist will conduct the session from a secure, private space. 
• You are responsible for ensuring your environment supports privacy. 
• Technical disruptions may occur and will be managed promptly. If connection fails, a phone session may be offered as an alternative. 
• Neither party will record the session without explicit consent. 
• In emergencies, your psychologist will use your provided contact and emergency details. 
• You can withdraw consent for telehealth at any time.
  
  

12. Record Keeping

The Talk Shop maintains accurate and secure clinical records in accordance with privacy legislation and professional guidelines. Records are stored electronically and retained for a minimum of seven years, or longer if required by law.

13. Informed Consent

By signing this form, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood the information provided in this document.
• You understand the nature of psychological services, including telehealth.
• You understand your rights and responsibilities as a client.
• You consent to participate in psychological services at The Talk Shop.
• You understand the fees and payment processes for my sessions, whether conducted in person or via telehealth.

This consent remains valid for the duration of your care at The Talk Shop and will be reviewed if the nature of your treatment changes, upon your request, or after 12 months.