Confidentiality and Privacy of Information

At Beehyve we routinely receive and collect client information for the purpose of providing assessment and/or ongoing service and support. In the interest of privacy, only the practitioners and authorised personnel of Beehyve may access client information (as necessary). Client information is gathered and securely stored according to the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.

Client information will remain confidential except in circumstances where legal or professional guidelines may oblige the treating practitioner to disclose information about a client with or without their consent. For example::

• Emergency situations where a client may pose a risk to self or others and the treating practitioner has a duty to warn and protect. Only relevant information applies.

• Statutory duties.

• If a court order is served and a client's health records are subpoenaed.

• Release of limited information to allow for payment of fees.

• Child protection matters.

• Updating another professional involved in a client's care about their progress (e.g., GP, psychiatrist etc.).

• Supervision purposes (i.e., all counsellors and psychologists require supervision as a mandatory part of their professional practice to ensure that best practice standards are upheld).

• Extenuating circumstances (e.g., global crises etc.).

• Release of a clinical reports to a third-party service upon client approval.

• Proof reading services (e.g., clinical administrators providing proof reading and dictation services).

Client and Practitioner Professional Relationship

The client and practitioner relationship is professional and collaborative, It exists for the purpose of assessment, care and support. A client may discuss directly with the practitioner if the fit between client and practitioner is not adequate, so that the possibility of being allocated to another practitioner is considered.

Practitioner Assessment Phase

The assessment phase involves identification of a client's current concerns and goals, gathering of relevant personal information, and where applicable, completion of questionnaires and/or psychometric tests. On completion of the assessment phase, the practitioner can recommend a fit-for-purpose plan. Clients have the right to a support person being present. In certain circumstances (e.g., area of expertise) the practitioner completing the assessment phase may differ from the practitioner providing ongoing service and support.

Practitioner Ongoing Service and Support

This phase is a collaborative undertaking between client and practitioner to bring about change. A fit-for-purpose plan can be made with relevant goals to guide this phase. While the benefits of treatment cannot be guaranteed, the practitioner will support and guide the client towards attaining relevant treatment goals. Sometimes client may set out to achieve specific goals, but during the journey, goals may change. Client motivation and commitment to change are important factors contributing to overall success of treatment.

Ending the Practitioner Assessment and/or Service and Support.

The practitioner may terminate an assessment and/or service and support when indicated. This may include when a client has not attended two consecutive scheduled appointments (without 24-hour notice) or after a period of three months without any active follow-up from the client.

Formal Assessment & Reporting

Practitioners may perform a formal assessment when requested to do so, permitted that the assessment is indicated and within the practitioner's scope of practice or expertise. A detailed quote will be provided prior to the commencement of such services. The assessment may involve a clinical interview and use of standardised psychometric measures which may take a few hours to complete. This may involve asking a client to complete several tasks and activities relevant to the assessment. The results will be presented in a report which will be released to the client, clinician or organisation requesting the service. This may include a third-party insurer. The report will contain client details pertaining to the clinical interview, a summary of the psychometric measures used, and the results compared to that of a relevant norm group, recommendations, and other relevant information e.g., diagnosis, treatment and/or rehabilitation needs.