TL;DR:
This page covers all the essential fine print — privacy, confidentiality and it’s limitations, cancellations, fees are here, consent, and how your information is handled. It’s long. It’s not thrilling. But it is important. Please give it a read. If anything’s unclear, please ask. I promise not to quiz you on it later, but by continuing with therapy, you consent to the terms outlined below. You’ll also receive an e-form before your first session to formally confirm your agreement.
Cancellation & Attendance Policy
At Michelle Saleeba Psychology, we recognise that unexpected circumstances can arise. We also aim to provide fair access to appointments and minimise lost clinical time. To support this, the following cancellation and attendance policy applies to all clients.
Late Cancellations (Less Than 24 Hours’ Notice)
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a cancellation fee of 70% of the session fee. Because no service is provided, this fee cannot be claimed through Medicare or private health insurance.
Clients Funded by DVA, ICWA, the National Redress Scheme or Other Third-Party Insurers
Some third-party funders prohibit providers from charging cancellation or missed appointment fees. If your sessions are funded through DVA, ICWA, the National Redress Scheme, or another insurer with similar conditions:
No cancellation or non-attendance fee will be charged
The missed appointment will be documented
The appointment cannot be billed to the funder
Ongoing service access may be reviewed if non-attendance becomes frequent
Late Arrival
If you arrive late for your appointment (in-person or telehealth), your session may be shorter so that other clients are not impacted.
The full session fee applies, and your rebate (if applicable) may be reduced depending on the time spent in session.
Repeated Non-Attendance
To ensure appointments remain available for clients who are actively engaged in therapy, Michelle Saleeba Psychology has a limit of two missed appointments without notice in a 12-month period.
Reaching this limit may lead to a pause or discontinuation of services. This will always be discussed with you first, and any relevant circumstances will be taken into account.
Exceptions
We understand that emergencies and unforeseen situations occur. If an unexpected event prevents you from attending, please contact us as soon as possible. Genuine emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How to Cancel or Reschedule
You can cancel or reschedule your appointment via:
Please provide as much notice as possible to allow the appointment to be offered to other clients on our waitlist.
Payment of Cancellation Fees
Any applicable cancellation fees must be paid before your next appointment.
If you have any questions, or if you are unsure how this policy applies to your situation or funding arrangement, please contact us. We are here to help you access care in a way that works for you.
Walk and Talk Therapy offers an alternative to traditional, office-based sessions by conducting therapy outdoors. While this approach is not suitable for all clients or clinical presentations, it can be a meaningful and effective way of engaging in therapy for those who feel more comfortable in natural environments or prefer movement-based sessions.
Before we begin, please review the information below and confirm your consent.
Key Considerations
Walk and Talk Therapy is not superior to traditional therapy. Evidence suggests it can be equally effective for some individuals.
The benefits of therapy – regardless of setting – are most often linked to what are known as common therapeutic factors: the quality of the therapeutic relationship, your belief in the process, personal insight, and the ability to meaningfully apply what’s discussed.
This form of therapy may be helpful if you feel more at ease outdoors or prefer walking to sitting. It can also support emotional clarity and regulation through physical movement and connection to nature.
Your Role in Preparing for Outdoor Sessions
Please take responsibility for attending to your own needs when participating in therapy outdoors. This may include:
Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear for walking on uneven terrain or in varying weather
Bringing items such as:
- A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water bottle
- A rain jacket or umbrella if wet weather is expected
- Antihistamines, an EpiPen, or insect repellant as needed
Informing your psychologist if you:
- Require support when walking downhill or on uneven surfaces
- Need to adjust the walking pace
- Prefer to switch to a telehealth session that week due to weather, physical needs, or comfort
Health and Medical Responsibility
Please consult your General Practitioner (GP) before beginning Walk and Talk Therapy, particularly if you have any health conditions that may impact your ability to walk safely.
We recommend discussing this therapy format with your GP when they prepare a referral (e.g., Mental Health Care Plan), so that appropriate medical checks or considerations can be made.
You acknowledge that your participation in outdoor movement is voluntary, and you are responsible for managing your physical safety and health needs during sessions.
Confidentiality and Public Space
While every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality, please be aware that we are in public settings. We may encounter other people, including acquaintances or members of the public.
If we do encounter someone, your psychologist will not introduce you and will follow your lead unless you indicate otherwise.
We will choose routes that offer as much privacy as reasonably possible, but complete privacy cannot be guaranteed in an outdoor setting.
Informed Consent
At intake you will be sent a form to confirm that you understand the following:
- Walk and Talk Therapy is a voluntary and optional alternative to standard therapy
- It may not be suitable for all sessions or clinical needs
- You can request to return to indoor or telehealth sessions at any time
- You are responsible for your own health, physical readiness, and personal items during outdoor sessions
- You have had the opportunity to ask questions about this therapy format
Walk and Talk Therapy
Confidentiality and Limitations
Your privacy is taken seriously at Michelle Saleeba Psychology. All information you share in therapy is treated with respect and is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988, the Health Records legislation, and the ethical requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct.
Information discussed in your sessions will not be shared with anyone outside the practice unless you provide written consent, except where disclosure is required by law or ethical obligation. These situations include:
Risk of harm
If there is a serious and imminent risk to your safety or the safety of others, your psychologist may need to disclose limited information to keep you or others safe.
Legal requirements
Information may need to be disclosed if required under a subpoena, court order, or other lawful request.
Mandatory reporting
Psychologists are legally required to report concerns about child abuse or significant risk of harm to a child.
Professional supervision and consultation
To provide safe, high-quality care, psychologists participate in regular professional supervision. This is an ethical requirement under the Code of Conduct.
Information discussed in supervision is de-identified where appropriate and practicable, and only the minimum necessary details are shared. Supervisors are bound by the same privacy and confidentiality obligations as your treating psychologist.
Medicare and other funders
If you are referred under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), brief progress updates are required to be shared with your GP as part of Medicare’s reporting requirements.
For other funding arrangements (e.g., DVA, workers’ compensation, Redress), only the information necessary to support treatment and billing requirements is provided.
If you ever have questions or concerns about how your information is managed, or would like to discuss confidentiality further, please feel free to raise this at any time..
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the professional obligations of psychologists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). By engaging our psychological and wellbeing services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information to provide high-quality psychological care and meet our professional and legal obligations. The types of information we may collect include:
Personal details: Name, contact information, date of birth, and emergency contact details.
Health information: Medical history, psychological history, and details relevant to your care.
We only collect information that is relevant and necessary to deliver our services. Wherever possible, we will collect information directly from you.
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
Your information is used for the following purposes:
To provide psychological services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
To communicate with you regarding appointments or follow-up care.
To manage billing and administration processes.
To comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
Your personal information will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent, except in the following circumstances:
If required by law (e.g., mandatory reporting of harm or risk to yourself or others).
When sharing information with other health professionals is necessary for your care and you have provided consent.
In rare circumstances where a court subpoena or legal request mandates disclosure.
Storage and Security of Information
We take all reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is stored securely, whether in electronic or physical formats. This includes:
Encryption and password protection for electronic records.
Secure storage for physical records.
Limiting access to authorised personnel only.
Using Zanda Health a secure practice management system, to store and manage your information. Zanda Health complies with Australian privacy standards and employs robust security measures to protect your data.
We retain records for a minimum of 7 years (or longer for minors, as per AHPRA requirements), after which they are securely destroyed.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access your personal information: You may request access to your records by contacting us directly. In some cases, legal or ethical requirements may restrict access.
Request corrections: If you believe any information we hold is inaccurate, you may request corrections.
All requests by clients for access to or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with admin@michellesaleeba.com. These requests will be responded to in writing within 14 days days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
Website and Online Privacy
When you visit our website, we may collect non-identifiable information, such as IP addresses or browsing behaviour, to improve your experience. Our website uses secure technologies to protect any information you submit online. However, no online system can guarantee absolute security, so we encourage you to use discretion when sharing sensitive information via the internet.
We do not share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.
Complaints and Concerns
If you have any concerns about the way your personal information is handled, please contact us directly. We will take your complaint seriously and work to address it promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how your information is managed, please CONTACT US.
This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with relevant laws and guidelines and updates will be published on this page. By using our services, you consent to the terms of this privacy policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please discuss your concerns with us before proceeding with treatment.
Use of NovoNote for AI-Assisted Note‑Taking
With your explicit consent, we may use NovoNote, an AI-powered assistant created by NovoPsych, to generate session summaries in real time. Audio is not recorded or stored, and transcripts are deleted after the summary is produced. Only the clinician-reviewed summary remains in your confidential file.
NovoNote operates under strict privacy and security controls, compliant with AHPRA, the Australian Privacy Principles, HIPAA, GDPR, AES‑256 encryption, and more. Your data is never used to train AI models or shared without proper agreements.
At any time, you may decline or withdraw consent to use NovoNote, and the clinician will take session notes manually as usual. The use of NovoNote does not alter the nature or quality of your clinical service.
Terms & Conditions of Website Use
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Michelle Saleeba Psychology website (“the Practice,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following:
1. Website Content and Purpose
This website provides general information about our services, creative wellbeing offerings, and therapeutic approaches. It is not a substitute for professional psychological advice, assessment, or treatment. Nothing on this site is intended as personal mental health guidance.
2. No Therapeutic Relationship Formed
Accessing this website, subscribing to updates, or downloading resources does not establish a therapeutic relationship. A formal therapeutic relationship is only formed after intake procedures are completed and mutual agreement to commence treatment is in place.
3. Crisis and Emergency Disclaimer
This website is not monitored continuously and should not be used to seek urgent psychological assistance. If you are in distress, please contact your GP, Lifeline (13 11 14), or Emergency Services (000).
4. External Links
We may include links to third-party websites or resources for your convenience. These links do not imply endorsement, and we are not responsible for the accuracy, security, or content of external sites.
5. Intellectual Property
All content on this website, including downloadable guides, meditations, audio recordings, written materials, and branding, is the intellectual property of Michelle Saleeba, unless otherwise credited. These materials are provided for personal, non-commercial use only and may not be reproduced, republished, or distributed without written permission.
6. Website Security
We take reasonable steps to ensure this site is secure. However, we cannot guarantee it is free from viruses, malware, or other harmful components. Use of this website is at your own risk, and you are encouraged to have appropriate digital security measures in place.
7. Jurisdiction
This website is intended for use by individuals residing in Australia. Services are delivered in accordance with Australian laws and the professional standards of psychologists registered with AHPRA.
Commitment to Culturally Safe Care
Psychological services at Michelle Saleeba Psychology are delivered in accordance with the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct (the Code'), including the expectation to provide culturally safe and respectful care. Under the Code cultural safety is defined by the client and may include cultural identity, community connection, lived experience, language, faith, values, gender identity, sexuality, disability, or other personal factors that influence how you feel safe and respected in therapy.
You are welcome to let me know if there are cultural, personal, or access considerations that are important to your experience in therapy. I will always take these into account and, where it is within my scope and the limits of a private practice setting, we can discuss reasonable ways to support your comfort and engagement. Where your needs would be better supported by a psychologist with specific training or expertise, I can assist you with referral to a more suitable provider.
Feedback is welcome at any time, and I will work with you to address concerns wherever possible.
Client Feedback Form
We welcome your reflections to help improve the care we offer. You can access the feedback form via this QR code. Please Note: The password is included in your intake email and is also noted at the bottom of all client invoices and receipts for ease of access.
