This Online Telehealth Consent Form is required in addition to the ‘Consent Form’ and outlines the terms of online and phone therapy.
Telehealth services are not suitable for all clients, and this will be discussed with you by your psychologist. Alternatives to receiving online therapy services will be discussed if required and available.
Online Therapy Sessions
Once a telehealth session is scheduled, an email will be distributed to your email with instructions on how to connect to your session via the secure online platform. Clients are required to download and use the free Zoom app/software.
Zoom can be used with Windows, Mac, and on tablet and mobile devices. Your psychologist can help you with instructions for downloading Zoom to your device.
Recording of Telehealth Sessions
Telehealth sessions will not be recorded by your psychologist, and all clients are asked to respect the privacy of their psychologist by agreeing not to make recordings of therapy sessions and not to use materials from therapy sessions for purposes other than therapy (e.g., posting any portion of sessions on internet websites and/or social media is not permitted).
Procedures in Case of Technical Difficulties or Disruptions in Service
In the event of technical difficulties or disruptions, an attempt to resolve the difficulties will occur in the first instance, clients will be contacted by phone if reconnection is not possible within 5 minutes to discuss whether to continue or reschedule the telehealth session.
Privacy
While every effort will be made to keep all information confidential, the privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology. Clients are responsible for understanding the potential risks of confidentiality being breached through unencrypted email, in transit by hackers or internet service providers, lack of password protection or leaving information on a public access computer.
Safeguards and Client Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for creating and using additional safeguards with devices used to access for our services, particularly when their devices are shared or may be accessed by others. Responsibilities includes creating complex passwords for devices, keeping all passwords secret, ensuring all email and online therapy sessions are exited properly and maintaining security of their wireless internet access points. For more information clients are encouraged to read cybersecurity resources provided by the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
Getting the most out of your Telehealth Service
Clients will need to have a secure WIFI or internet connection, a working webcam and audio on their device.
Please Note: Clients are responsible for any costs incurred during the telehealth session, including data usage and equipment or software.
Clients would benefit and as such are greatly encouraged from choosing an environment for their telehealth session where there is minimal noise interference, and where they are least likely to be overheard by others or interrupted.
Please Note: Misunderstandings may occur due to connection problems causing delays or less than optimal audio and image quality. Clients would benefit from approaching misunderstandings with patience and clarifying any potential misunderstandings with their psychologist.
Medicare Requirements
The client is referred by a GP (or Psychiatrist) with a valid and active mental health treatment plan and referral letter; and the client is not an admitted patient in hospital
At the advice of the APS, clients receiving telehealth services should provide the names of at least two local emergency contacts, before beginning their first online therapy session. This will allow the psychologist to make necessary arrangements in the event of an emergency.
For more information regarding telehealth services, clients are encouraged to read the Fact Sheet provided by the APS via this link.
By agreeing to participate in telehealth sessions, I agree to expressly release Anima Hub from any liability associated with unintended cyber security issues and/or difficulties with unsecured communication.