Lazy therapy service agreement
Service AgreementThe purpose of this information is to provide information to you about, and to obtain your consent, to engage in mental health services with Lazy Therapy. This form helps to ensure the welfare, satisfaction, and privacy of my clients. If you have any questions about this service agreement, please email: enquiry@lazytherapy.com.au.
1. Mental Health ServiceI need to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing my mental health services to you. This collection of personal information will be a necessary part of the mental health assessment and treatment that I conduct.
The first therapy session will typically involve an evaluation of your needs and treatment goals. As you move through the evaluation, you will be offered some first impressions of what the work will include and a treatment plan to follow. If you have questions about the treatment plan or chosen methodology, you are encouraged to discuss them whenever they arise. You can cease assessment and/or therapy with me at any time. If you feel uncomfortable with what is happening in a session you may request for the session to cease at any time, and this will not disadvantage you in subsequent help-seeking efforts.
2. Purpose of Collecting and Holding InformationYour personal information is gathered using the online platform, Halaxy, as part of your assessment and treatment, is kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by me, your mental health clinician. I am subject to the Privacy Act 1988 and must comply with obligations related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, including through telehealth services.
Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables me, your mental health clinician, to provide a relevant, ethical, and informed mental health service to you. To meet Australian privacy legislation all data is stored in Australia and with strict adherence to the Australian Privacy Principles.
3. NovoNote and Session RecordingI use NovoNote, a secure, AI-enhanced tool from the Australian company NovoPsych, to assist with creating your session notes. The purpose of using NovoNote is to allow me to focus more fully on our conversation and your care during sessions, rather than being distracted by manual note-taking. By changing the way I take notes, I also aim to provide more accurate and detailed documentation of our sessions.
NovoNote works by securely converting the audio from our consultations into a transcript. Importantly, the audio recordings are never saved; instead, they are transformed into a transcript and then immediately discarded. The transcript itself is typically deleted within 24 hours of being created. I use these transcriptions solely to generate a confidential clinical summary, which is then saved directly into your client file within my practice management system (Halaxy).
NovoNote complies with the Australian Privacy Principles and adheres to AHPRA and HIPAA standards. It employs industry encryption and security protocols, operating on a secure server in Australia. Please be assured that your data does not contribute to training AI models.
Before using NovoNote, I will ask for your verbal consent, and you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
I am committed to providing you with the highest standard of care through these advanced technological practices. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns about this process. For further information on NovoNote’s security measures, you can visit their security page: NovoPsych.com.au/NovoNote_Security.
4. Third-Party PlatformsDuring the course of your engagement with Lazy Therapy, you may be asked to complete online assessment measures hosted by other third-party platforms (e.g. Halaxy, Novopsych, and others). These platforms have been selected as they similarly adhere to Privacy Principles, and you can view their respective data security policies via their websites.
All clients retain the right to refuse or withdraw consent to provide personal data using these platforms. Raw data and interpretive scores and reports will be saved within your electronic file on my practice management software.
I store personal records electronically in your client file on my practice management software, Halaxy, which you consent to as a client (or parent/carer/guardian) of my practice. Halaxy has strict data security protocols.
Payments for services can be made via direct deposit (bank transfer), or credit/debit card (via Halaxy). You can view the privacy and data protection policies of Halaxy on-line.
5. Access to Client InformationAs part of providing mental health services, relevant personal information to the current situation will be collected and recorded in Halaxy. I am required by law to keep your file for a minimum of 7 years after your last contact with Lazy Therapy. If you are under the age of 18 at the time of treatment, the information is mandated to be retained until you are 25 years of age. Personal information pertaining to clients who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander must be kept permanently. You may access the information in your file on request, subject to the exceptions in the National Privacy Principles. In this instance, you will be encouraged to arrange a session with me to discuss the content of your file and any foreseeable risks of releasing this personal information. Fees apply for file preparation and review.
6. Disclosure of Personal InformationAll personal information gathered by me during the provision of the mental health service will remain confidential except when:
It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; orFailure to disclose the information would in my reasonable belief place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; orYour prior approval has been obtained to: a) provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or b) discuss the material with another person, e.g., a parent, employer, health provider or third-party funder; or c) disclose the information in another way; orYou would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency and disclosure is directly related to the primary purpose for which it was collected such as to inform your GP of treatment and progress; orConsultation with another professional is required to provide better services (identifying details will remain confidential).If during your work with me, I become aware of risk to someone’s life, health, or wellbeing, I am required by policy of the state and federal governments to report the matter to the appropriate agencies.
7. Mandatory ReportingThis practice adheres to a mandatory reporting policy and I am required by law to report any disclosures of harm, including but not limited to, child sexual assault, physical abuse, or neglect, to the relevant authorities. I will notify you if I receive information relating to you that a child under 18 years of age within your care is at risk, and that I must report such information to the state child protection agency / Police.
8. Professional SupervisionMental Health Clinicians in Australia are required to engage in continuing professional development, peer consultation, and supervision. At times it may be necessary for me to discuss your presenting issues, case formulation, assessment results, treatment plan, and/or diagnostic report with my supervisor or peers to ensure ongoing quality assurance. Confidentiality is of utmost importance and all de-identifying details are removed before supervision is sought. The supervisor and professional peers are bound by the same confidentiality rules as I am. As a client of Lazy Therapy (or parent/carer/guardian), you are consenting to the possibility of your case being reviewed within a supervision capacity.
9. Client ConductI respectfully advise you that any form of disrespectful or threatening behaviour towards me will not be tolerated. Such behaviour (whether in person or via electronic means) will result in services being discontinued.
10. Service Evaluation and ResearchAssessment information may be utilized for research and service evaluation purposes, but this is only with your explicit consent. All identifying information and names are removed prior to such usage. You have the right to withdraw participation in research at any time, even if you originally gave your consent.
11. Electronic CommunicationI prefer to send all information and communications electronically, primarily via email and text message (SMS). You may withdraw your consent to receive electronic communication at any time by written notice. Lazy Therapy does not currently have provisions to send hard copy correspondence by mail.
12. Therapy FeesThe cost of a standard 50-minute consultation with me at Lazy Therapy is $160.00. Your card details will be saved in a secure database (Halaxy) and payment will automatically be processed on the day of your session. You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate ($87.33 effective 1 July 2025) with an appropriate Mental Health Care Plan and referral, and this can be processed on your behalf. If you have any problems with Medicare sending you the rebate, you will have to follow up with Services Australia for yourself due to confidentiality limitations. Fees are subject to change and are reviewed each January and July. You may be required to pay up front and organise a reimbursement from your funding body after the session. Lazy Therapy does not bill third parties directly for your consultation.
Any additional correspondence (face-to-face, phone, email) with other professionals, agencies and organisations (at the request of a client) or consultations with me outside of scheduled appointments, will be charged at the standard hourly rate per 15 minutes of correspondence/communication. This includes treatment summary reports, letters of support, and/or request for accommodations for workplaces or educational institutions.
Bulk billing using a MHCP is offered at Lazy Therapy under certain financial difficulty circumstances, on a case-by-case scenario.
13. Cancellation PolicyCancellation fees for therapy clients are as follows:
More than 24 hours (1 business day) notice: No chargeBetween 1 and 24 hours notice: $50.00 feeNo show of appointment (DNA): Full fee cancellation fee ($160.00)Weekends and public holidays are not counted as business days. Refunds and late cancellation penalties will be automatically processed using my secure payment system (via Halaxy).
Given the limited availability and wait list for Lazy Therapy, I reserve the right to terminate your agreement and any remaining consultations if you frequently cancel or re-schedule appointments (e.g., 3 or more) and/or are experiencing significant difficulties engaging consistently with your proposed treatment plan. The outcomes of therapy are often “dose-dependent”, meaning that I will help you to understand the importance of the timing, consistency, and frequency of your sessions to make the most meaningful changes. Please discuss any barriers to attending regular therapy with me as soon as difficulties arise.
Please note that if you arrive late to your therapy session, your session length will be reduced to ensure that the session is still completed in the scheduled time. For example, if you are 10 minutes late, your session will only be 40 minutes maximum. This is to ensure that appointments run to schedule and the following clients are not affected. I reserve the right to cancel the session and record it as a no-show if you are more than 30 minutes late without any prior communication with me. In this instance, the no-show (DNA) cancellation fee will apply (full fee).
Fees must be paid prior to attending subsequent consultations. I reserve the right to cancel upcoming consultations if you have outstanding fees. I also reserve the right to use debt collection services for failure to pay for services, including cancellation fees. I have reserved this time for you, and it can be difficult to organise a new client to fill the spot with minimal notice. You may then reschedule the appointment.
14. EmergencyLazy Therapy is NOT an emergency service. I am unable to respond to urgent or emergency matters. My communication channels, including email, are not monitored outside of standard business hours.
In case of emergency, please go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital or call 000.
15. Telehealth Psychology ServicesLazy Therapy offers telehealth sessions delivered via videoconferencing software. I apply the same ethical and professional standards of care and practice that are required when providing in-person mental health services. To participate in a telehealth service, clients will need to ensure they can log on the platform from a safe, private, comfortable environment. It is important that the person is free from distractions including children and pets. I must have your current emergency contact details for each client and be aware of your physical location (address) at the time of the session.
Potential Benefits of Telehealth ConsultationsTelehealth might:
Improve access to servicesReduce your need for travelDecrease exposure to infectious diseasePotential Risks of Telehealth ConsultationsTelehealth might:
Be negatively impacted by technical problems, such as delays due to technology failures.Not offer the same visual and sound quality for observations and modelling.Potentially require you to have a support person available to assist.Increase exposure to privacy and digital security risks. While I am obligated to meet the highest standards to protect your privacy and security, telecommunication, including videoconference, may inherently increase exposure to hacking and other online risks; as with all online activities, there is no absolute guarantee of complete privacy and security protection. You can help mitigate these risks by:Using a secure internet connection.Meeting with me from a private and secure location.Only communicating using secure channels provided by Lazy Therapy. 16. Court / Tribunal / Mediation / Advice PolicyI do not provide any court reports/letters nor any legal advice regarding any legal matters. This includes Family Court matters regarding custody and parenting arrangements. I also do not provide competency assessments, or fitness for work assessments. I do not provide assessments or reports for medico-legal purposes.
1. Mental Health ServiceI need to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing my mental health services to you. This collection of personal information will be a necessary part of the mental health assessment and treatment that I conduct.
The first therapy session will typically involve an evaluation of your needs and treatment goals. As you move through the evaluation, you will be offered some first impressions of what the work will include and a treatment plan to follow. If you have questions about the treatment plan or chosen methodology, you are encouraged to discuss them whenever they arise. You can cease assessment and/or therapy with me at any time. If you feel uncomfortable with what is happening in a session you may request for the session to cease at any time, and this will not disadvantage you in subsequent help-seeking efforts.
2. Purpose of Collecting and Holding InformationYour personal information is gathered using the online platform, Halaxy, as part of your assessment and treatment, is kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by me, your mental health clinician. I am subject to the Privacy Act 1988 and must comply with obligations related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, including through telehealth services.
Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables me, your mental health clinician, to provide a relevant, ethical, and informed mental health service to you. To meet Australian privacy legislation all data is stored in Australia and with strict adherence to the Australian Privacy Principles.
3. NovoNote and Session RecordingI use NovoNote, a secure, AI-enhanced tool from the Australian company NovoPsych, to assist with creating your session notes. The purpose of using NovoNote is to allow me to focus more fully on our conversation and your care during sessions, rather than being distracted by manual note-taking. By changing the way I take notes, I also aim to provide more accurate and detailed documentation of our sessions.
NovoNote works by securely converting the audio from our consultations into a transcript. Importantly, the audio recordings are never saved; instead, they are transformed into a transcript and then immediately discarded. The transcript itself is typically deleted within 24 hours of being created. I use these transcriptions solely to generate a confidential clinical summary, which is then saved directly into your client file within my practice management system (Halaxy).
NovoNote complies with the Australian Privacy Principles and adheres to AHPRA and HIPAA standards. It employs industry encryption and security protocols, operating on a secure server in Australia. Please be assured that your data does not contribute to training AI models.
Before using NovoNote, I will ask for your verbal consent, and you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
I am committed to providing you with the highest standard of care through these advanced technological practices. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns about this process. For further information on NovoNote’s security measures, you can visit their security page: NovoPsych.com.au/NovoNote_Security.
4. Third-Party PlatformsDuring the course of your engagement with Lazy Therapy, you may be asked to complete online assessment measures hosted by other third-party platforms (e.g. Halaxy, Novopsych, and others). These platforms have been selected as they similarly adhere to Privacy Principles, and you can view their respective data security policies via their websites.
All clients retain the right to refuse or withdraw consent to provide personal data using these platforms. Raw data and interpretive scores and reports will be saved within your electronic file on my practice management software.
I store personal records electronically in your client file on my practice management software, Halaxy, which you consent to as a client (or parent/carer/guardian) of my practice. Halaxy has strict data security protocols.
Payments for services can be made via direct deposit (bank transfer), or credit/debit card (via Halaxy). You can view the privacy and data protection policies of Halaxy on-line.
5. Access to Client InformationAs part of providing mental health services, relevant personal information to the current situation will be collected and recorded in Halaxy. I am required by law to keep your file for a minimum of 7 years after your last contact with Lazy Therapy. If you are under the age of 18 at the time of treatment, the information is mandated to be retained until you are 25 years of age. Personal information pertaining to clients who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander must be kept permanently. You may access the information in your file on request, subject to the exceptions in the National Privacy Principles. In this instance, you will be encouraged to arrange a session with me to discuss the content of your file and any foreseeable risks of releasing this personal information. Fees apply for file preparation and review.
6. Disclosure of Personal InformationAll personal information gathered by me during the provision of the mental health service will remain confidential except when:
It is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; orFailure to disclose the information would in my reasonable belief place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; orYour prior approval has been obtained to: a) provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or b) discuss the material with another person, e.g., a parent, employer, health provider or third-party funder; or c) disclose the information in another way; orYou would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency and disclosure is directly related to the primary purpose for which it was collected such as to inform your GP of treatment and progress; orConsultation with another professional is required to provide better services (identifying details will remain confidential).If during your work with me, I become aware of risk to someone’s life, health, or wellbeing, I am required by policy of the state and federal governments to report the matter to the appropriate agencies.
7. Mandatory ReportingThis practice adheres to a mandatory reporting policy and I am required by law to report any disclosures of harm, including but not limited to, child sexual assault, physical abuse, or neglect, to the relevant authorities. I will notify you if I receive information relating to you that a child under 18 years of age within your care is at risk, and that I must report such information to the state child protection agency / Police.
8. Professional SupervisionMental Health Clinicians in Australia are required to engage in continuing professional development, peer consultation, and supervision. At times it may be necessary for me to discuss your presenting issues, case formulation, assessment results, treatment plan, and/or diagnostic report with my supervisor or peers to ensure ongoing quality assurance. Confidentiality is of utmost importance and all de-identifying details are removed before supervision is sought. The supervisor and professional peers are bound by the same confidentiality rules as I am. As a client of Lazy Therapy (or parent/carer/guardian), you are consenting to the possibility of your case being reviewed within a supervision capacity.
9. Client ConductI respectfully advise you that any form of disrespectful or threatening behaviour towards me will not be tolerated. Such behaviour (whether in person or via electronic means) will result in services being discontinued.
10. Service Evaluation and ResearchAssessment information may be utilized for research and service evaluation purposes, but this is only with your explicit consent. All identifying information and names are removed prior to such usage. You have the right to withdraw participation in research at any time, even if you originally gave your consent.
11. Electronic CommunicationI prefer to send all information and communications electronically, primarily via email and text message (SMS). You may withdraw your consent to receive electronic communication at any time by written notice. Lazy Therapy does not currently have provisions to send hard copy correspondence by mail.
12. Therapy FeesThe cost of a standard 50-minute consultation with me at Lazy Therapy is $160.00. Your card details will be saved in a secure database (Halaxy) and payment will automatically be processed on the day of your session. You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate ($87.33 effective 1 July 2025) with an appropriate Mental Health Care Plan and referral, and this can be processed on your behalf. If you have any problems with Medicare sending you the rebate, you will have to follow up with Services Australia for yourself due to confidentiality limitations. Fees are subject to change and are reviewed each January and July. You may be required to pay up front and organise a reimbursement from your funding body after the session. Lazy Therapy does not bill third parties directly for your consultation.
Any additional correspondence (face-to-face, phone, email) with other professionals, agencies and organisations (at the request of a client) or consultations with me outside of scheduled appointments, will be charged at the standard hourly rate per 15 minutes of correspondence/communication. This includes treatment summary reports, letters of support, and/or request for accommodations for workplaces or educational institutions.
Bulk billing using a MHCP is offered at Lazy Therapy under certain financial difficulty circumstances, on a case-by-case scenario.
13. Cancellation PolicyCancellation fees for therapy clients are as follows:
More than 24 hours (1 business day) notice: No chargeBetween 1 and 24 hours notice: $50.00 feeNo show of appointment (DNA): Full fee cancellation fee ($160.00)Weekends and public holidays are not counted as business days. Refunds and late cancellation penalties will be automatically processed using my secure payment system (via Halaxy).
Given the limited availability and wait list for Lazy Therapy, I reserve the right to terminate your agreement and any remaining consultations if you frequently cancel or re-schedule appointments (e.g., 3 or more) and/or are experiencing significant difficulties engaging consistently with your proposed treatment plan. The outcomes of therapy are often “dose-dependent”, meaning that I will help you to understand the importance of the timing, consistency, and frequency of your sessions to make the most meaningful changes. Please discuss any barriers to attending regular therapy with me as soon as difficulties arise.
Please note that if you arrive late to your therapy session, your session length will be reduced to ensure that the session is still completed in the scheduled time. For example, if you are 10 minutes late, your session will only be 40 minutes maximum. This is to ensure that appointments run to schedule and the following clients are not affected. I reserve the right to cancel the session and record it as a no-show if you are more than 30 minutes late without any prior communication with me. In this instance, the no-show (DNA) cancellation fee will apply (full fee).
Fees must be paid prior to attending subsequent consultations. I reserve the right to cancel upcoming consultations if you have outstanding fees. I also reserve the right to use debt collection services for failure to pay for services, including cancellation fees. I have reserved this time for you, and it can be difficult to organise a new client to fill the spot with minimal notice. You may then reschedule the appointment.
14. EmergencyLazy Therapy is NOT an emergency service. I am unable to respond to urgent or emergency matters. My communication channels, including email, are not monitored outside of standard business hours.
In case of emergency, please go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital or call 000.
15. Telehealth Psychology ServicesLazy Therapy offers telehealth sessions delivered via videoconferencing software. I apply the same ethical and professional standards of care and practice that are required when providing in-person mental health services. To participate in a telehealth service, clients will need to ensure they can log on the platform from a safe, private, comfortable environment. It is important that the person is free from distractions including children and pets. I must have your current emergency contact details for each client and be aware of your physical location (address) at the time of the session.
Potential Benefits of Telehealth ConsultationsTelehealth might:
Improve access to servicesReduce your need for travelDecrease exposure to infectious diseasePotential Risks of Telehealth ConsultationsTelehealth might:
Be negatively impacted by technical problems, such as delays due to technology failures.Not offer the same visual and sound quality for observations and modelling.Potentially require you to have a support person available to assist.Increase exposure to privacy and digital security risks. While I am obligated to meet the highest standards to protect your privacy and security, telecommunication, including videoconference, may inherently increase exposure to hacking and other online risks; as with all online activities, there is no absolute guarantee of complete privacy and security protection. You can help mitigate these risks by:Using a secure internet connection.Meeting with me from a private and secure location.Only communicating using secure channels provided by Lazy Therapy. 16. Court / Tribunal / Mediation / Advice PolicyI do not provide any court reports/letters nor any legal advice regarding any legal matters. This includes Family Court matters regarding custody and parenting arrangements. I also do not provide competency assessments, or fitness for work assessments. I do not provide assessments or reports for medico-legal purposes.