Privacy Policy
Wiser Minds Psychology ("Wiser Minds," "we," "our," "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and your rights in relation to it.
1. Who we are
Wiser Minds Psychology is a sole-trader telehealth psychology practice operated by Andrew Bechara, a registered psychologist (AHPRA registration PSY0002506656). Our contact details are at the end of this policy.
2. What information we collect
We collect personal and health information that is reasonably necessary for the provision of psychological services. This includes:
- Identifying information: your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, Medicare number, and emergency contact details.
- Health information: medical history, mental health history, presenting concerns, treatment goals, clinical assessment results, session notes, test scores, and any correspondence with GPs or other health practitioners.
- Billing information: payment details, invoicing records, and Medicare or NDIS claim information. We do not store credit card numbers on our systems, payments are processed through PCI-compliant third-party providers.
- Referral information: Mental Health Treatment Plans, referral letters, and information provided by referring clinicians.
- Website analytics: standard website log information (IP address, browser type, pages visited, time on site) via privacy-respecting analytics. Our website does not use tracking cookies that identify you personally.
3. How we collect it
We collect information directly from you, through our contact form, intake documentation, session discussions, and correspondence, and from referring practitioners where applicable. Where a third party (such as a family member or support coordinator) provides information about you, we will tell you so unless doing so would be unreasonable or impracticable.
4. Why we collect it and how we use it
We collect and use your information for the following primary purposes:
- Providing psychological assessment, therapy, and related services.
- Communicating with you about appointments, reports, fees, and administrative matters.
- Processing Medicare and NDIS claims where applicable.
- Maintaining clinical records in line with the record-keeping obligations of AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Communicating with referring practitioners where you have consented or where required by the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
- Complying with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
5. Disclosure of your information
Your information is kept confidential. We will only disclose your personal or health information in the following circumstances:
- With your consent, for example, communicating with your GP, psychiatrist, or support coordinator.
- Where required by law, for example, a court order, subpoena, or mandatory reporting obligation.
- Where necessary to prevent serious and imminent risk to your life or health, or the life or health of another person.
- To Services Australia (Medicare), limited information required to process rebates under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
- To professional indemnity insurers and legal advisors, where necessary in the course of managing the practice.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes under any circumstances.
6. How we store and protect your information
Your clinical records are stored in secure, Australian-compliant electronic practice management and telehealth systems that meet health records legislation requirements. We use encrypted storage, multi-factor authentication, and access controls. Paper records, where kept, are stored securely and destroyed confidentially at the end of the retention period.
Clinical records are retained for a minimum of seven years after your last session (or until an adult client reaches 25 years of age, whichever is longer), in accordance with Australian health records legislation and professional guidelines.
7. Telehealth sessions
All sessions are conducted via secure, end-to-end encrypted video consultation platforms that comply with Australian health information privacy requirements. Sessions are not recorded unless you specifically consent in writing and a legitimate clinical purpose exists. The video platform provider is a data processor bound by contract to comply with Australian privacy law.
8. Your rights
Under the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to:
- Access the personal and health information we hold about you.
- Request correction of information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
- Be informed about how your information is being used or disclosed.
- Make a privacy complaint (see below).
- Withdraw consent for specific uses of your information, subject to legal and clinical record-keeping obligations.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@wiserminds.com.au.
9. Complaints
If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact us first at info@wiserminds.com.au. We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and aim to respond within 30 days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (oaic.gov.au, 1300 363 992) or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (ahpra.gov.au).
10. Website cookies and analytics
This website uses minimal, functional cookies required for basic site operation. We may use privacy-respecting analytics to understand aggregate site usage. No personally identifying information is shared with advertising networks. The site does not use third-party tracking cookies.
11. Children's privacy
Wiser Minds does not currently provide services to children under 12. Where we provide services to adolescents (12–17), we follow Australian clinical and legal guidance on informed consent, confidentiality, and parental involvement. These will be discussed transparently at the outset of any engagement.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, practice, or technology. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when it was most recently revised. Material changes affecting existing clients will be communicated directly.
13. Contact
For any question about this policy or your privacy:
Wiser Minds Psychology
Andrew Bechara, Registered Psychologist (AHPRA PSY0002506656)
Email: info@wiserminds.com.au
ABN: 42 316 794 702