Telehealth Services - Client Information
Telehealth describes the use of digital technology, including telephone and video-conferencing to enable clinical care between a health professional and the patient/client. Telehealth is particularly useful for people unable to access in-person services due to health complications, restrictions of movement, location and transport issues. Telehealth has been recommended by Australian Psychology governing bodies as a suitable medium to enable vital continuity of care for all patients/clients requiring psychological assessment, treatment and/or support during the current COVID-19 pandemic. At Evolve Psychology Group we provide Telehealth Services to clients where this is required (client or staff health concerns or vulnerability), and from 5th February 2022 to unvaccinated clients as per our COVIDsafe Plan to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our staff and clients.
Security and Privacy:
All precautions and limitations recommended the Australian Privacy Act (1988) are the same for telehealth services as they are in person. For more information please see Evolve Psychology Group’s Telehealth Policy. Information will be updated as we receive it from Health Authorities. Telehealth Platform Psychologists at Evolve Psychology Group will be using the secure, private and compliant platform Zoom Video for videoconferencing sessions. Where clients are unable to access technology for videoconferencing sessions your session will be via telephone where suitability for this medium has been assessed. You will be able to schedule your appointments as per usual by contacting our office on 08 9787 8854. Please leave a message and our office will get back to you as soon as possible to schedule your appointment. For clients who are accessing telephone consults your psychologist will call you at your scheduled appointment time. For those accessing video sessions just prior to your appointment time turn on your computer or smart phone device and log on to your emails. You will be sent an email that contains a link to join the Zoom meeting room. Click on the link and follow the instructions and you will enter the ‘waiting room’ for your Zoom session. Your psychologist will admit you to the session when they are ready. Please ensure:
You are in a private space where you can chat with your psychologist confidentially without being overheard;
You have good internet connection or a smart phone device with a good cellular connection at home or at the private location deemed appropriate to you to attend your video session;
You do not use a public WiFi connection as your security and privacy cannot be guaranteed.
Session Structure:
Sessions will be conducted in the same way face-to-face sessions are. In order to have effective telehealth therapy sessions, the following guidelines are recommended:
Your device should be placed on a steady surface throughout sessions, and not held in your hand if it can be avoided. If it must be in your hand, please hold it as steady as possible.
Make sure that you are in a private location where your sessions cannot be overheard by others.
Ensure that you adjust the volume on your device to protect your privacy or use headphones if needed. You are required to inform your clinician if there is anyone in the room with you, or who you believe may overhear the session.
Try to have proper lighting so that your clinician can best communicate with you.
You should be appropriately attired each session, including being fully dressed and in an appropriate setting.
Try to minimise background noise and distractions. Turn off televisions, music or other sounds.
Please do not invite others into session time without discussing this with your clinician first. If the connection is broken for any reason, your clinical will call you to remedy the situation. If transmission should fail, your clinician will resume the session via phone until internet-based therapy has returned.
Client Rights:
Clients informed consent to engage in Telehealth services is included in the initial signed consent to engaged services at Evolve Psychology Group. All confidentiality and privacy requirements remain the same as that agreement and are included in our Privacy Policy which is available on our website at https://www.evolvepsychologygroup.com.au/privacy-policy
