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Clinical Psychologist - privacy guidelines around sensitive information clarification please...

Tweet-Heart
Community Member
I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to know about. I called AHPRA today and they referred me to the APS Code of ethics which is a legally binding document. However, I am still uncertain about whether a clinical psychologist can retain a sensitive file and less sensitive file. I am just concerned about third party agencies like Centrelink, insurers, worksafe etc finding out about sensitive information that is not relevant and then using that against me. I just feel that people should be able to consult with professionals without having to worry about this kind of thing. I also don't want him to keep an electronic file. Maybe I should discuss this with him at our next session, any advice would be appreciated.
32 Replies 32

Thanks Paul

I am going to request more frequent appointments (i.e weekly rather than fortnightly). He needs time to go through hospital records, I am talking over 400 pages across 3 admissions and approx 300 for the other admission. I am documenting my ptsd symptoms that I mentioned above.

He told me to trust him I have only seen him 3 times, he knows about my previous bad experiences with psychiatrists.

Thanks for the reassurance, I don't feel amazing but appreciate the compliment.

Im getting really worried 😩 haven't slept properly and am feeling very jittery I feel like something bad is going to happen. I'm getting nightmares and flashbacks I'm not seeing him again until Thursday.

I am trying to tell myself 'it's just the trauma taking' but it's getting really bad.

Can someone please give me some tips on how to deal with this please?

thepinky
Community Member

be careful