Confidentiality and Privacy of Information
At Rojolie Clinic we routinely receive and collect client information for the purpose of providing assessment and/or treatment services. In the interest of privacy, only the psychologist and authorised personnel of Rojolie Clinic 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 psychologist 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 psychologist has a duty to warn and protect.
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 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 psychological report to a third-party insurer requesting the service.
Proof reading services (e.g., clinical administrators providing proof reading and dictation services).
Client and Psychologist Professional Relationship
The client and psychologist relationship is professional and collaborative, It exists for the purpose of psychological assessment and/or treatment. A client may discuss directly with the psychologist if the fit between client and psychologist is not adequate, so that the possibility of being allocated to another psychologist is considered.
Psychological Assessment Phase
The assessment phase involves identification of a client's current problems and concerns, gathering of relevant personal information, and where applicable, completion of questionnaires and/or psychometric tests. On completion of the assessment phase, the psychologist can recommend a fit-for-purpose treatment plan. Clients have the right to a support person being present. In certain circumstances (e.g., area of expertise) the psychologist completing the assessment phase may differ from the psychologist completing the treatment phase.
Psychological Treatment Phase
The treatment phase is a collaborative undertaking between client and psychologist to bring about change. A fit-for-purpose treatment plan with relevant goals guides this phase. While the benefits of treatment cannot be guaranteed, the psychologist wil! support and guide the client towards attaining relevant treatment goals, Client motivation and commitment to change are important factors contributing to overall success of treatment.
Ending the Psychological Assessment and/or Treatment Phase
The psychologist will terminate psychological assessment and/or treatment when indicated. This may include when a client has not attended two consecutive scheduled appointments (without 48-hour notice) or after a period of three months without any active follow-up from the client.
Face-to-face and/or Remote Service Delivery
At Rojolie Clinic face-to-face appointments are the preferred method for psychological assessment and/or treatment, Some clients may prefer remote service delivery which can usually be accommodated. Psychological services delivered via the internet and other electronic media are termed "Telepsychology", defined as the provision of non-face-to-face psychological services by distance communication technology such as videoconferencing, telephone, and email. Face-to-face and remote service delivery (i.e., Telepsychology) remain professional interactions during which mutual respect is an expectation. Telepsychology can be provided if it is considered to offer an equivalent standard of care to the traditional face-to-face service including extenuating circumstances such as Covid-19 restrictions. Fee structure remains the same irrespective of format used.
The New Zealand Psychologist Board (NZPB) guidelines and best practice standards require psychologists to provide clients with written or verbal information about the potential benefits and risks association with Telepsychology. Less research has been done on the benefits of Telepsychology versus traditional face-to-face service delivery. Benefits may include continuity of care despite client and psychologist being in different locations as well as convenience and decrease of travel time and associated costs. Risks may involve the potential for miscommunication or misunderstanding when technology may stop working during an appointment and create delays or impairment to communication. Contingency plans may include to continue the appointment via phone call or to reschedule the appointment. When opting to engage via Telepsychology, it is important that both client and psychologist have an adequate level of technical competence, access to a stable internet connection and equipment (e.g., phone, computer etc.). When using a device during Telepsychology, it is also important that it is fully charged, Telepsychology may involve potential risks to confidentiality. As these appointments take place outside of the psychologist's office, it is important that a client has access to a private and uninterrupted space for the duration of the appointment. The psychologist will take all reasonable steps to ensure client privacy. Clients are advised to avoid using public WIFI connections for privacy reasons and an ideal internet speed of 1.5Mbps/l.5Mbps (up/down) is preferable. Clients should ideally familiarise themselves with the safety and security of the online platform of their choice. It may not be appropriate to engage in Telepsychology if a client requires high levels of support and intervention, or when a client is experiencing a crisis or poses a risk of harm to self or others. When Telepsychology is no longer indicated, the psychologist may recommend switching to face-to-face appointments.
Formal Assessment & Reporting
Psychologists may perform a formal assessment when requested to do so permitted that the assessment is indicated and within the psychologist'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 standardized 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 organization 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.
Appointments, Fees and Cancellation Policy
Psychologist hours and days of availability will be discussed before or during the first appointment. At Rojolie Clinic we appreciate prompt arrival for appointments. Please notify us on 09 522 5081 for any late arrivals, Clients may leave a message on Rojolie Clinic voicemail or send an email to accounts@rojolie.co.nz to cancel an appointment; however, the message or email must be left at least 48 hours before the scheduled appointment. Please take note that the 48 hours' notice period applies to workdays only (Monday to Friday). If an appointment is cancelled less than 48 hours in advance, the full fee of the scheduled appointment will be charged and is payable prior to the scheduling of the next appointment. Exceptions include emergencies and illness. The use of a debt collection agency may be used when indicated. Third-party insurer payment schedules apply where applicable. Private clients will be provided with an invoice payable on the day of the scheduled appointment.
An appointment with the psychologist is approximately an hour in duration. The appointment time may be extended on the day permitted that the psychologist has time available, and that the extension is verbally agreed upon by client and psychologist. Extended appointments are charged in increments of 15 minutes in addition to the scheduled hour.
After-Hour-Emergencies
Rojolie Clinic staff are unavailable after hours or on weekends, In the event of a crisis please call your local mental health crisis team on 0800 800717 or find more information on:
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/healthcare-services/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams
Current Practicing Licence & Other Memberships
Psychologists are registered with the New Zealand Psychologist Board {NZPB). For proof of current registration with the NZPB please visit: http://www.psychoiogistsboard.org.nz/
Psychologists may also hold professional membership with other organisations. For proof of membership with the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) please visit: https://www.nzccp.co.nz/for-the-public/find-a-ciinicai-psychologist/