Acceptable Behaviour Policy

 Thank you for reading The Psychology Alley's Acceptable Behaviour Policy. If you choose to engage the services of The Psychology Alley, or interact with The Psychology Alley in any capacity, this will be considered implied agreement with the standards and terms within this Acceptable Behaviour Policy. For the purposes of this policy, "we," "us," and "our" refers to The Psychology Alley, and "you" and "your" refers to you, the client, visitor, stakeholder, or person interacting with The Psychology Alley.

Amendment of Policy

We reserve the right to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this Acceptable Behaviour Policy at any time. Please check the terms of this policy prior to engaging with us to ensure you are aware of any changes. This policy can always be accessed via our website at www.thepsychologyalley.com. We will endeavour to highlight any significant or substantive changes where possible via notifications on our website, or by way of email.

Policy Terms and Definitions

All persons and parties who engage with The Psychology Alley deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, kindness, and professionalism. This includes all staff and stakeholders of The Psychology Alley. We take the safety of all staff, clients, and stakeholders very seriously and see it as our duty of care to take all reasonable steps (as far as reasonably practicable) to provide a safe environment by eliminating or minimising all risks to health and safety. Thus, The Psychology Alley has developed this Acceptable Behaviour Policy to stipulate the terms and expectations for the behaviour of all persons and parties who engage with The Psychology Alley in any capacity.

Please take note of the following policy terms to ensure that you comply with them at all times. This Acceptable Behaviour Policy applies to all staff, clinicians, third parties, clients and client associates, stakeholders, and members of the public who engage with The Psychology Alley. All interactions with The Psychology Alley for any purpose and in any capacity (including in-person, email, written communication, phone, and social media contact, etc.) are covered under this Acceptable Behaviour Policy.

Acceptable Behaviour Policy

At The Psychology Alley, we are committed to fostering an environment that is culturally safe, respectful, and free from bias, racism, discrimination, harassment, prejudice, or any form of threatening, intimidating, abusive, or bullying behaviour. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour that may be considered antisocial, aggressive, hostile, or involving microaggressions.

Our Commitment to Cultural Safety

We are dedicated to creating culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and other diverse cultures represented in our society. Our goal is to ensure that people of all cultures can safely and comfortably access quality care in an environment that respects and acknowledges their unique cultural needs.

Antisocial Behaviour

We define antisocial behaviour as including, but not limited to:

·       Physical or verbal threats and intimidation.

·       Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment/abuse.

·       Behaviour which elicits fear in others.

·       Bullying and harassment.

·       Such behaviours are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Microaggressions

Microaggressions are subtle or overt communications of negative or hostile messages, particularly towards individuals based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or other marginalised characteristics. These behaviours contribute to a hostile or unwelcoming environment and are unacceptable.

Being Present in Psychology Sessions

To maintain the therapeutic frame, it is important for clients to be fully present during psychology sessions. This means refraining from the use of phones, emails, or other distractions. Being present not only shows respect for the therapeutic process but also enhances your own capacity to engage and benefit from the session.

Contact Outside of Sessions

Clients may contact their psychologist via email, phone, or text for administrative purposes, such as rescheduling or booking appointments. However, clinical matters, including topics for upcoming sessions or crises, should be reserved for discussion within the session to ensure a safe and confidential therapeutic space.

As your psychologist works part-time, please be advised that there may be a delay in response. In case of a crisis, we urge you to present to the nearest emergency department or call 000. Below is a list of crisis support numbers for immediate assistance.

Agreement to Our Policy

Interacting with The Psychology Alley, in any capacity, requires agreement to act in a manner that is:

·       Respectful

·       Safe and free from antisocial behaviour or microaggressions

·       Honest and not fraudulent, communicating with integrity and respect

Your adherence to this policy ensures a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved with The Psychology Alley. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to maintaining these standards.

Crisis Support Numbers

Emergency Services

·       Phone triple zero (000) Ask for police, fire or ambulance

·       Child Protection Helpline – 132111

·       Link2Home Homelessness – 1800152152

·       Link2Home Veterans & Ex-Service – 1800326989

·       Lifeline 13 11 14
Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can contact Lifeline for support.

·       Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Provides specialised help for young people aged 5 to 25 years, and is staffed by professional counsellors.

·       Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. People who are not linked in with current professional support can also access up to six sessions of ongoing counselling with the same counsellor at scheduled times.

·       MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
For men of any age who would like support, information or referral to assist them to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.

·       Rape Crisis Centre 1800 424 017
NSW Rape Crisis is the 24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling service for anyone in NSW - men and women - who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault and their non-offending supporters.

·       National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732 For anyone in Australia who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault, family or domestic violence and their non-offending supporters.

·       The NSW Mental Health Access Line 1800 011 511
The NSW Mental Health Line is a state-wide telephone number which puts you in touch with your local mental health service.

·       Bravehearts - 1800 272 831 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Information or support relating to child sexual assault and exploitation.

LGBTIQ+

·       QLife Australia provides nationwide telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people of all ages. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) AEST / 7 days a week. Webchat is also available hJps://qlife.org.au/resources/chat