Confidentiality
Code of Ethical Practice
As a registered psychologist, Emma Bevan has adopted and adheres to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) code of ethical practice.
All information gathered during the psychological sessions will remain confidential and secure except where:
Your prior approval has been obtained to release information to another person or agency e.g. doctor, parent or school teacher.
It is subpoenaed by a court.
Failure to disclose the information would place the client or another person at imminent and serious risk.
Matters about confidentiality are always explored before any treatment begins. As a client, parent or guardian of a client, you’re encouraged to ask about confidentiality at any time.
Psychologists also have a duty of care to their clients and the general public with respect to their legal and ethical obligations, and Emma Bevan maintains this duty of care when providing treatment or giving professional advice.
About Information
In exceptional circumstances Emma Bevan may be required to breach confidentiality to prevent serious harm to a client or those around them – either directly or indirectly. In these circumstances, every attempt will be made to obtain agreement from a client before any action is taken. However, where a psychologist believes that a client is at high risk of serious harm to themselves or others, and consent cannot be obtained or granted, she is legally obliged to contact the appropriate authorities.
It is worth noting that as a registered psychologist, Emma Bevan always responds and acts through care and respect for her client’s wellbeing. However, she also has an ethical responsibility to report criminal behaviour in which her clients have allegedly or actually engaged, or allegations of the criminal behaviours of others. The failure to report such offences is deemed a dereliction of a psychologist’s duty of care.
When it comes to matters of law, it’s important to know that information shared between a client and a psychologist, including parents and guardians, is not considered to be privileged. Therefore, a psychologist can be compelled by a court of law to disclose some or all the information they have about a client.
Also see ‘Privacy‘.