Terms of Service

Location

I am located at Offices on Hudson, 8 Hudson Street, Hamilton NSW 2303

 

Telehealth

Appointments are available via phone or video – a Teams link will be emailed on the day of the appointment.

 

Confidentiality and Privacy

Your personal information will be kept confidential and will not be shared without your consent, except in the following situations:

 

• There is a risk of harm to yourself

• There is a risk of harm to others (including children)

• Your client file is subpoenaed by a court of law

 

In order to provide the best possible care, information about your progress may be given to relevant service providers:

 

• If referred under a Mental Health Care Plan, I am required to submit a brief summary letter to your GP after your 1st and 6th appointment to enable your ongoing access to further therapy under Medicare

• If referred by Victims Services, I am required to submit a certificate of injury report for recognition payment application

• Clinical supervision to develop the best possible care for you

• Your emergency contact as provided by you. A support person could be a partner, sibling, parent, or close friend.

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I am responsible for the secure storage and protection of your information from other parties, until your file is due to be security destroyed (as per NSW legal requirements). Information you have provided will be used for the purpose of providing counselling services. Under the Privacy Act you are entitled to access your personal information. Requests to access or correct your personal information should be made in writing, and will be responded to within 30 days of receipt.

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Communication

Email is used for the exchange of documents and appointment scheduling. All aspects of therapy occur during scheduled face to face, online or phone appointments.

 

Please do not use text or email to discuss personal issues or urgent concerns as these communication platforms are not always monitored. Texts and emails are only checked, and responded to, at certain hours of business days.

 

Appointment duration and rescheduling

Appointments are 50-55 minutes. If you are late for your appointment this will limit the duration of your appointment, as there will likely be a follow-on time slot booked for someone else and it is inequitable to reduce another’s appointment time frame.

 

If you are unable to attend your appointment, if possible, give 24 hours notice. If you miss an appointment and provide no notice about this, as a general rule, I will leave it to you to recontact me to re-book an appointment. If you give less than 24 hours notice for a cancellation, there will be a cancellation fee.

 

For Victims Services Clients, if you advise of your inability to attend an appointment within 24 hours of your scheduled session, or you do not turn up for your appointment, this is considered a ‘no-show’ and must be recorded as such. Victims Services allow two no-show’s and after the second no show, I may need to end the therapeutic service with you. I will make reasonable attempts to communicate with you about your options.

 

Fees and Rebates

Fees are $190 per appointment for 50-55minutes.

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Payment is required before the session via direct deposit and a paid receipt will be provided.

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If you have a Mental Health Care Plan you can submit your paid receipt on the Medicare App to claim your rebate each session. The current rebate is $85.20 per session.

 

Medicare allows you to access 10 sessions per calendar year with a Mental Health Care Plan referral required after the first 6 and 4 sessions.

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Clients attending under Victims Services program are not charged for appointments and the Attorney Generals Department will rebate your sessions.

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Emergency and after hours support services

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I am a non-crisis service and only available during business hours. Please note that my phone and email are only attended to a few times during business hours and not attended after business hours or weekends. I do not answer phones or emails while I am in session. I will return your call or email when available and during business days and hours.

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If you need urgent support, please use the following 24 hour support numbers:

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Emergency Services

Lifeline                                                                                                              13 11 14

Kid Helpline                                                                                                     1800 55 1800

Mensline Australia                                                                                          1800 78 99 78

Beyond Blue                                                                                                      1300 22 4636

Domestic Violence Line                                                                                 1800 671 442

Domestic violence or sexual assault                                                            1800RESPECT

Mental Health Services (inpatient and community based)                    1800 011 511

Psychiatric Emergency Centre                                                               000 or 1800 011 511

based at The Mater Hospital, Lorna Street, Waratah          

Suicide Call Back Service                                                                                1300 659 467

QLife (National LGBTIQ support and advice) 3pm-12am                       1800 184527

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I, the client, agree that I have read and understood the above information. I agree to these conditions in terms of the counselling services provided by Kristen Fraser Counselling.