Privacy Policy

​This document is designed to help you feel informed, safe, and clear about how we work together. 

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I am Dr Helen Mursell, a clinical psychologist. My intention is to offer a space that is respectful, transparent, and grounded in care. I work entirely via telehealth (Zoom) with individuals and couples, and I provide supervision to registered psychologists.

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My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Gottman Couples Therapy. I aim to balance practical strategies with a deep understanding of your internal world.

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Collection of Personal Information

I collect information relevant to your care, including personal details, clinical history, session notes, and assessment data.

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This may include:

• Name, contact details, and relevant background information

• Information discussed during sessions

• Assessment outcomes

 

Assessment Measures and Questionnaires

While you are not required to provide all information, this may impact the effectiveness of the service.

 

Purpose of Collecting and Holding Information

Your information is collected to support psychological assessment, treatment planning, and the provision of ongoing therapeutic care.

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Records are maintained to:

• Ensure continuity of care

• Support safe and effective clinical decision-making

• Maintain an accurate account of sessions

 

Storage, Security & Third-Party Platforms

Your information is stored securely using professional platforms including Halaxy (practice management), NovoPsych (assessments), and NovoNote (clinical documentation support). Reasonable steps are taken to protect your information.

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These platforms have their own privacy policies and security standards. While care is taken to use reputable systems, I cannot guarantee the absolute security of third-party platforms.

 

Confidentiality & Limits

Your information remains confidential except where:

• Required by law (e.g., subpoena)

• There is serious risk to your safety or another person

• You provide informed consent to share information

• It is necessary for professional consultation or supervision (de-identified where possible)

 

Supervision

As part of maintaining high-quality and ethical care, I engage in professional supervision. This may include discussion of your case in a way that minimises identifying information.

 

Practice Administration

My practice manager may have limited access to your information via Halaxy for administrative purposes only (e.g., uploading referrals, invoicing, and administrative correspondence with your GP).

 

Email Communication

Email is primarily used for administrative purposes such as appointment scheduling, invoicing, and general enquiries.

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Please be mindful about sharing sensitive clinical information via email, as email is not a fully secure form of communication. Any clinical information should be discussed within sessions or via secure intake forms where appropriate.

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While care is taken to manage email securely, you acknowledge some responsibility when choosing to communicate via email.

 

Telehealth

Sessions are conducted via Zoom. Reasonable steps are taken to ensure privacy; however, no online platform is entirely risk-free. You are responsible for attending sessions in a private, safe space.

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Telehealth may not be appropriate in crisis situations or where a higher level of care is required.

 

Session Recording (for Clinical Documentation)

To support accurate and efficient clinical notetaking, sessions may be recorded using the Zoom platform for the purpose of generating clinical notes via NovoNote.

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These recordings are:

• Used solely to assist in the preparation of clinical documentation

• Stored securely and handled in accordance with privacy standards

• Not used for any other purpose (e.g., training, teaching, or sharing)

• Deleted after the relevant clinical notes have been completed

• Recording will only occur with your knowledge and consent.

 

You are not required to consent to recording. If you prefer that sessions are not recorded, please let me know — this will not impact your access to care in any way.

 

Use of NovoNote

This practice uses a secure, AI-assisted platform called NovoNote to support the creation of session summaries and progress notes.

 

NovoNote is designed specifically for mental health professionals and operates under strict data privacy and security protocols that comply with Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

 

Only de-identified or minimally necessary information is used wherever possible. If you have concerns or would prefer not to have any aspect of your session supported by this tool, please discuss this directly so that alternative arrangements can be made.

 

Couples Therapy

When working with couples, the client is the relationship, rather than either individual.

 

Limits of confidentiality apply between partners. Information shared individually may be brought into the couple space where clinically appropriate.

 

A 'no-secrets' approach may be used, meaning that information shared individually may not be kept from the other partner if it impacts the therapeutic process.

 

Access to Information

You may request access to your information. A discussion will likely be recommended to support understanding of clinical material.

 

Requests should be made directly to me, Dr Helen Mursell and will typically be responded to within two business days.

 

You may be asked to complete a brief request form.

 

Case notes remain the property of the practice and may only be shared with third parties (e.g., legal, medical, or insurance bodies) upon formal request from those organisations.

 

Concerns

If you have concerns about how your information is managed, please raise them with me, Dr Helen Mursell directly.

 

You may also lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
Phone: 1300 363 992

Address: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001

 

APS Charter

You are entitled to the rights outlined in the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Charter for Clients of Psychologists.​