All psychologists are legally required to be registered in Australia, which means your psychologist is a health practitioner registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Only people with this registration are allowed to call themselves psychologists. Your psychologist is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society, the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia. These safeguards mean that your psychologist is properly trained and ensures that you receive high quality, ethical care.
This charter sets out what you can expect from your APS psychologist. It also sets out how you can provide any feedback about their service.
As a client of an APS psychologist, you have the right to:
Be treated with respect at all times
Feel safe that your cultural identity, beliefs and diversity are respected
Receive a clear explanation of any services provided and the options available to you
Agree to the terms of the service before it is provided and withdraw your consent at any time
Work with your psychologist to set goals for the service which may include a discussion about the number of sessions that may be required
Ask any questions about services provided
Receive a quality, evidence-based service from a highly skilled psychologist, who is ethical and trustworthy
Have family or other support people involved in your care if you choose
Have your personal information held securely and kept confidential
Be informed of when information might be shared without your consent
Have all costs, including cancellation fees, clearly explained
You can help your psychologist provide the best care by:
Providing accurate information about your situation
Treating your psychologist and other staff with respect
Providing your psychologist with any feedback you have about their service
You can provide feedback:
Your psychologist values your feedback, whether your experience has been positive or there are things which could be improved. If you have any concerns about your treatment, please discuss them with your psychologist first. If you are unable to do so, you may be able to contact the clinic, agency or organisation where they work.
If you have concerns about the conduct of your psychologist, and wish to make a formal complaint, you can contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) on 1300 419 495 or visit ahpra.gov.au
