1. Introduction
The Play Psych (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a child psychology practice based in Tauranga, New Zealand, operated by Christina Schelin, a Registered Educational Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of your child. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information and health information in accordance with:
- The Privacy Act 2020
- The Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (HIPC)
- The Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996
- The Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa/New Zealand
This policy covers information collected through our website (playpsych.com) and through enquiries and referrals made to our practice.
2. What information we collect
Through our website, we may collect:
- Your name, email address, and phone number when you complete a contact or referral enquiry form
- Information you choose to provide about your child and your reasons for seeking our services
- Technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited (see Cookies and Analytics below)
Through our practice, we may collect:
- Contact and demographic details for you and your child
- Referral information from GPs, schools, paediatricians, or other health professionals
- Health information, developmental history, and educational information relevant to assessment and support
- Information from schools or other agencies, with your consent
Because our clients are children, most information is collected from parents or legal guardians. Where appropriate and depending on the child’s age and maturity, we also involve children in decisions about their own information.
3. How we collect information
Wherever possible, we collect information directly from you (the parent or guardian) or from your child during sessions. We may also collect information from third parties such as your child’s school, GP, or other health providers — but only with your knowledge and consent, unless the law permits otherwise.
4. Why we collect information
We collect personal and health information to:
- Respond to enquiries and referrals
- Assess whether our services are suitable for your child
- Provide psychological assessment, intervention, and support services
- Communicate with you about appointments and your child’s care
- Communicate with other professionals involved in your child’s care, with your consent
- Meet our legal, ethical, and professional obligations
- Administer our practice, including invoicing and record-keeping
We will not use your information for purposes unrelated to these without your consent.
5. Clinical records
Clinical records (session notes, assessment reports, and health information gathered during care) are stored in Carepatron, our secure practice management system, not on this website. This website collects only enquiry and contact information. Once you become a client, your information is managed within our clinical record system in accordance with the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
6. Storage and security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information against loss, misuse, and unauthorised access, including:
- Encrypted transmission (HTTPS/TLS) for all website forms
- Encrypted storage of personal information
- Role-based access controls — only authorised personnel can access client information
- Audit logging of access to personal information
- Secure, access-controlled clinical record systems
Overseas storage: Some information submitted through this website is stored on secure servers located in Australia. Under Rule 12 of the Health Information Privacy Code 2020, we only store information overseas where it is protected by comparable privacy safeguards. Australia’s privacy laws provide comparable protection to New Zealand’s.
7. Disclosure of information
We treat your information as confidential. We will only disclose personal or health information:
- With your consent (for example, to your child’s school or GP)
- Where disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the life, health, or safety of any person, including your child
- Where required or permitted by law (for example, under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 where a child’s safety is at risk, or in response to a court order)
- To our professional supervisor in de-identified form, as required by the New Zealand Psychologists Board
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to any third party.
8. Retention of information
In accordance with the Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996, we retain health information for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the last service provided. For child clients, records may be retained for longer where clinically or legally appropriate. When information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed.
Website enquiry information that does not result in a client relationship is deleted within 12 months of the enquiry.
9. Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020, you have the right to:
- Access the personal and health information we hold about you or your child
- Request correction of information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete
- Ask us how your information has been used or disclosed
To make a request, contact us using the details below. We will respond within 20 working days. In limited circumstances, we may withhold information where the law permits (for example, where disclosure would endanger someone’s safety). Children may also exercise these rights themselves, depending on their age and maturity.
10. Cookies and analytics
Our website uses cookies and may use analytics tools to understand how visitors use the site. This information is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some site features may not function correctly.
11. Third-party links
Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to read their privacy policies.
12. Complaints
If you have a concern about how we have handled your information:
- Contact us first using the details below — we take privacy concerns seriously and will work to resolve them promptly.
- If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (privacy.org.nz, 0800 803 909).
- Concerns about your rights as a health consumer may also be raised with the Health and Disability Commissioner (hdc.org.nz, 0800 11 22 33).
13. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this website, with the date of the last update shown at the top.
14. Contact us
The Play Psych
Christina Schelin, Registered Educational Psychologist
Tauranga, New Zealand
Email: christina@playpsych.com