1. Consent for Psychological Service with your Independently Contracted Psychologist

Your consent is required for us to provide you with psychological services. Your psychologist will explain the expected benefits and any potential emotional or practical risks of accessing these services. We commit to providing services that are safe, effective, and collaborative, informed by the best available evidence and the principles of culturally reflective practice. Please ensure you fully understand all information provided and ask your psychologist for clarification if any part of this agreement is unclear.

Please note that Michelle Barratt Psychology Administration Services in an Administrative Service. All psychologists practice independently as Independent Contractors.

2. Professional Relationship and Ethical Boundaries

Basis of Service: Services are based on evidence, formulation, and your individual needs. We respect your right to make your own decisions regarding your care.
Professional Competence: Your psychologist will work within the boundaries of their competence and will refer you to another practitioner if it is in your best interest.
Power Imbalance and Exploitation: We recognize the inherent power imbalance in the client-psychologist relationship. We commit to not exploiting clients in any way (including physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially). We will never establish or pursue an inappropriate relationship with a client or associated party, and these ethical obligations continue even after the service has ended.

3. Informed Consent, Capacity, and Withdrawal

Consent Process: Informed consent is your voluntary decision, made with full knowledge of the benefits and material risks involved. We will verify your understanding and allow sufficient time for questions.
Capacity and Minors: Consent is based on your capacity for decision-making and maturity, especially when services are provided to children and young people.
Right to Withdraw: You have a right to withdraw this consent at any time by informing your psychologist in writing. You cannot withdraw consent for a service that has already occurred. Your psychologist will discuss any implications of withdrawing consent.

4. Confidentiality and Mandatory Exceptions

This section confirms your understanding of the detailed Privacy Policy. All information remains strictly confidential, but exceptions exist when disclosure is required or authorised by law, including: Mandatory Reporting (e.g., child abuse/neglect), Duty to Warn/Serious Harm, Duty of Care, Legal Processes (e.g., subpoena), and Emergency Care.

5. Fees and Financial Consent

We are committed to being honest and transparent in all financial arrangements.

5.1 Payment Options and Processing

The following options are available for all services:

Halaxy Payment Link: Available on your invoice. A processing fee applies.
Stored Payment Method (Card on File): We can charge your securely stored payment method following your session. A processing fee applies.
Bank Transfer (PayID or Direct Deposit):
- PayID: 167123033
- Direct Deposit: BSB: 064 178, Account Number: 1052 6059
- Crucial Requirement: Remittance advice (proof of payment) for all PayID or Direct Deposit transactions must be emailed immediately to: admin@michellebarrattpsychology.com.au.
Cash: Cash payments are accepted, provided the exact amount is ready as we are unable to provide change.
Medicare Rebates: Any eligible Medicare rebates will be processed once the appointment has been attended.

5.2 Payment Timing Guidelines

All payments must be processed prior to the commencement of your scheduled session.
Bank Transfer Requirement: If you choose to pay via Bank Transfer (PayID or Direct Deposit), the payment must be completed and the remittance sent the day before your scheduled appointment to allow for processing time. Appointments cannot proceed without prior receipt of proof of payment.
First Appointment Payment: The fee for your first appointment is required by 5:00 PM on the third full working day (Monday-Friday) prior to your session. If payment is not received, your appointment will be automatically cancelled, and the slot will be released.

6. Cancellation and Telehealth/Online Session Policy

6.1 Cancellation Fees (Following Australian Psychological Society Guidelines)

Cancellations Within 48 Hours of your scheduled appointment time.
If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment (but more than 24 hours before), you will be charged 50% of the session fee.
Cancellations Within 24 Hours of your scheduled appointment time.
If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, you will be charged 100% of the session fee.
Changing to a Phone or Video Appointment.
If you can’t attend your appointment in person, but you're able to attend by phone or video, you can avoid a cancellation fee by letting us know as early as possible; 24 hours’ notice is preferable to set up a phone/video link.
- A. In urgent situations, please contact us as soon as possible.
  B. If payment is not made, the session will not proceed. Note: Payments processed by us include additional transaction fees.
Did Not Attend (DNA) – No Show
If you do not attend your appointment and do not notify us, this is considered a "Did Not Attend" (DNA) appointment and you will be charged 100% of the session fee. This will be processed by charging your card saved on file on the day of the DNA and will incur additional transaction fees.
Cancelling Long Appointments
If you have booked a double or extended session (e.g. 2 hours) and cancel within 24 hours, you will be charged for each booked hour (e.g. 2 × 100%).
Third-Party Payment
If someone else is paying for your session (e.g. family member or organisation) and a cancellation fee is not paid by them, you will be responsible for the fee.
Client Refusal of Cancellation/DNA Policy or fees If you do not agree with the Cancellation Policy or refuse to pay for Cancellation Costs or DNA, etc, unfortunately your next appointment or ongoing therapy will need to be cancelled until fees for your cancelled/DNA sessions are paid.

6.2 All online appointments

Telehealth appointments must be paid 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time. If payment is not received in time, you accept that we will charge your saved card to allow the session to go ahead.

7. Payment Card Consent and Security (Crucial Update)

By providing your card details, you consent to us securely storing your details (encrypted) within our payment system for the following transparent purposes:

Processing late cancellation or DNA fees.
Processing the full fee for services if payment has not been received within 3 days following the date of the appointment.

Use: You consent to have your nominated card charged for the purposes stated above. For DNA and overdue service charges, standard transaction fees incurred by the payment processor will be applied.
If you do not consent to having your card details stored safe and encrypted on Halaxy, we will be unable to proceed with your appointments.

8. Consent for AI-Assisted Tools

Function: An AI tool, Novonote or Heidi, assists the clinician by generating draft session notes. The AI tool is an administrative assistant; it does not make clinical judgments.
Security: The system adheres to strict data encryption protocols (aligning with HIPAA standards).
Voluntary Consent: Your consent to the use of this AI tool is voluntary.

Consent Option for AI-Assisted Tools

Please select one of the following options:

[ ] I CONSENT to the use of the AI-assisted tool for the sole purpose of drafting session notes, based on the security and privacy conditions outlined above.

[ ] I DO NOT CONSENT to the use of the AI-assisted tool.

9. Parental Consent/Legal Guardian Consent for Children/Adolescents under 18 Years of Age

If a Child Custody Agreement or Child Contact Agreement requires consent from both parents for the child to attend psychological sessions, we require this authorisation in writing or by email before sessions can commence.
Ideally, if both parents provide consent for the child to receive psychological therapy, they should both be responsible for payment. However, please note that we do not take responsibility for the arrangement of this agreement between parents.
If parents cannot agree on payment, payment will be sought from the parent who brings the child to the session, and this payment must be made prior to the session starting. The parent who makes the payment will be the one to receive the Medicare Rebate.
In accordance with APS Guideline, only Consent Orders or Custody Orders that stipulate a parent has SOLE Custody grant that parent the legal right to present their child for Psychological Sessions without permission from the other parent.

10. Appointment Reminders by SMS or Email

Appointment reminders are set up through our computer system, and are therefore ONLY set up as a courtesy to our clients to support you in reminding you that you have made an appointment with us. Therefore, clients not responding to their email reminders or SMS are not taken or accepted by the Practice as a form of Cancellation.
NO APPOINTMENTS will be cancelled if you do not physically contact us by email or text or by speaking to us directly as outlined above. ** Please note that maintaining, rescheduling and cancelling your appointments are your SOLE responsibility, and no appointments will be cancelled unless we hear from you directly.

11. New Clients Initial Appointment Policy

When making an appointment with Michelle Barratt Psychology for the very first time, clients are required to have made payment for this appointment 3-full-working days prior to this appointment. This can be done by Bank Deposit or by Credit/Debit Card. Please see payment details on the invoice sent to you.
If you choose to do a Bank Deposit, please email us a receipt to be received by 5 pm on the last day of the 3 full working days prior to your first appointment.
If payment is not received within 3 full working days prior to your first appointment, your appointment will automatically be cancelled to make way for other people on our Waiting List.

12. Disclosure and Limits of Confidentiality

Your personal information is not used, sold, rented, or disclosed for any other purpose. Your information will only be disclosed to overseas recipients if you provide consent or if disclosure is otherwise required by law.

12.1 Disclosure with Consent

Disclosure of your personal information will primarily occur with your fully informed written consent to:

Provide a written report or correspondence to another professional or agency (e.g., GP, lawyer, third-party funder).
Discuss or communicate with another person (e.g., a parent, employer, health provider, referrer).
Professional Supervision: Your psychologist may consult with their professional supervisor about your case to enhance their service. In such instances, your information will be deidentified (e.g., using a pseudonym) and identifying details will not be disclosed.

12.2 Mandatory Exceptions to Confidentiality

There are specific situations where confidentiality may be compromised without your consent because your psychologist is compelled or mandated to disclose due to legislation:

Serious Risk of Harm: If there is a foreseeable risk of harm to the life, health, or safety of a client, someone else, or to public health and safety.
Legal Compulsion: If the psychologist is compelled to provide information by way of subpoena or other legal action.

Mandatory Reporting: Where the psychologist is mandated to disclose due to legislation (e.g., child protection laws).

Farah Sobhanian Psychologist

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