Client Services Agreement & Schedule of Fees
This information outlines how the practice works, including fees, payment, and policies.
Please take a moment to review before booking. You’re always welcome to ask questions at any stage, including during your first appointment.
PART 1. CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Client Services Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which psychological services are provided by Kelly Penniment-Saich t/a Minds of Colour Psychology of 16 Atherton Close, Rankin Park NSW 2287 (the Practitioner, we, us, or our).
By booking, attending or paying for any appointment, you agree to be bound by this Agreement. If the Client is under 18 years of age, this Agreement must be accepted by a Parent with lawful parental responsibility.
For the purposes of this Agreement:
Client means the individual receiving Services.
Parent means a person with lawful parental responsibility for a Client under 18 years of age.
Services means all psychological assessment, therapy, supervision, report writing and related professional services provided by the Practitioner.
Assessment Services means structured diagnostic or clinical assessments including Autism, ADHD, combined assessments and Gender-Affirming Assessments.
Therapy Services means psychological therapy sessions.
Supervision Services means professional clinical supervision services.
Telehealth means Services delivered via secure video conferencing or approved digital platforms.
Report means any written clinical report, letter or formal documentation prepared by the Practitioner.
Gender-Affirming Assessment means psychological assessment relating to gender dysphoria, pubertal suppression, gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgical pathways.
Medical Provider means a medical practitioner responsible for prescribing or providing medical treatment.
Schedule of Fees means the separate schedule setting out current fees as updated from time to time.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales. Services may be provided to Clients located anywhere in Australia. The Client acknowledges that the law of the State or Territory in which the Client is physically located at the time of service may apply in addition to New South Wales law.
1. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, ETHICAL FRAMEWORK & CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
1.1 The Practitioner is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
1.2 From 1 December 2025, psychologists are required to practice in accordance with the Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct (‘Code’). All Services are delivered consistently with that Code.
1.3 Services are provided in accordance with applicable Commonwealth and State legislation including privacy, health records, child protection and mandatory reporting laws.
1.4 Services are delivered in accordance with APS ethical guidance, private practice management standards and evidence-informed clinical practice principles.
1.5 The Practitioner maintains professional indemnity insurance and implements clinical governance processes consistent with registration standards, including documentation, supervision and risk review.
1.6 Clinical supervision is a professional and ethical requirement of psychological practice. The Practitioner participates in regular supervision in which clinical material may be discussed for the purposes of governance, ethical decision-making, quality assurance and risk management. Supervisors are bound by equivalent professional and confidentiality obligations. Clinical material discussed in supervision is de-identified wherever reasonably practicable. Clients who have concerns about the use of their material in supervision are encouraged to raise those concerns with the Practitioner.
1.7 The Practitioner will provide Services only within the limits of the Practitioner’s education, training, supervised experience and professional competence. Where a Client’s needs fall outside that scope, or where referral is clinically appropriate in the interests of the Client’s safety or best care, the Practitioner may decline, cease or limit Services and refer the Client to another suitably qualified practitioner or service.
1.8 The Practitioner is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. (PBA) and holds an area of practice endorsement in Clinical Psychology through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002025682. Clients may verify current registration at www.ahpra.gov.au. The Practitioner's registration type affects the Medicare rebate applicable to Services — see Section 5
1.9 As a registered psychologist, the Practitioner is a mandatory reporter under applicable child protection legislation. In New South Wales, this obligation arises under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW). The Practitioner must report to the relevant authority where she has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm. This obligation applies regardless of the Client's or Parent's consent and applies across all jurisdictions in which Services are delivered. Equivalent mandatory reporting obligations apply in other states and territories.
2. INFORMED CONSENT
2.1 Informed consent is obtained prior to commencement of Services and is an ongoing process throughout engagement.
2.2 Informed consent includes explanation of the nature, purpose and scope of Services, expected benefits, reasonably foreseeable risks, alternatives where appropriate, financial implications, limits of confidentiality, Telehealth considerations and Report limitations. The limits of confidentiality include: (a) where there is a serious, credible and imminent risk to the life or safety of the Client or another identifiable person; (b) where mandatory reporting obligations arise under applicable child protection legislation; (c) where required by court order, subpoena or other lawful compulsion; and (d) where disclosure is otherwise authorised or required by law. Where it is safe and practicable to do so, the Practitioner will inform the Client before confidentiality is overridden.
2.3 The Practitioner will take reasonable steps to ensure that the Client understands the information provided and has capacity to consent.
2.4 The Client may withdraw consent at any time. Where withdrawal of consent relates to an immediate safety concern, no cancellation fee will apply. In all other circumstances, withdrawal of consent does not extinguish payment obligations for Services already provided or fees properly incurred under the cancellation policy.
3. BOOKING PROCESS
3.1 All appointments are booked via the Practitioner’s nominated practice management system.
3.2 At booking, the Client must select the relevant service type and agree to this Agreement and any applicable additional consent documents.
3.3 By providing payment details at booking, the Client authorises the Practitioner to securely store their card and process payment for appointments, cancellation fees and other applicable charges following the session.
3.4 Confirmation of appointment will include Telehealth access details, fee information, cancellation terms and intake documentation.
3.5 Intake and consent documentation must be completed prior to the first session. Failure to complete required documentation may result in postponement or cancellation.
4. FEES & PAYMENT STRUCTURE
4.1 All Services are billed per session unless otherwise agreed in writing.
4.2 Current fees are set out in the Schedule of Fees.
4.3 Payment is processed following the appointment unless otherwise agreed.
4.4 Assessment Services delivered in stages require payment per stage.
4.5 Payment is required prior to report writing commencing.
4.6 Reports will not be released until full payment has been received.
4.7 If payment fails or remains outstanding, appointments may be cancelled and Services suspended.
5. MEDICARE & PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
5.1 Where Services are accessed under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), the full session fee is payable upfront.
5.2 Medicare rebates are processed after the session.
5.3 Cancellation fees are not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance rebates.
5.4 Clients claiming through private health insurance must confirm eligibility with their insurer.
5.5 From 1 November 2025, changes to the Better Access to Mental Health Care MBS framework mean that new Mental Health Treatment Plan referrals for psychological services must generally be made by the Client's usual medical practitioner or their MyMedicare-registered GP. Referrals from a psychiatrist or paediatrician continue to operate without this requirement. Clients are responsible for confirming that their referral meets current MBS eligibility requirements before the first session. The Practitioner will assist where possible but cannot guarantee Medicare eligibility for any particular referral arrangement.
6. CANCELLATION POLICY – THERAPY & ASSESSMENT
6.1 No cancellation fee applies where at least 48 hours’ notice is provided.
6.2 Where notice is provided between 24 and 48 hours prior to the appointment, 50 percent of the session fee applies.
6.3 Where less than 24 hours’ notice is provided or in the event of non-attendance, 100 percent of the session fee applies.
6.4 Where Assessment Services are cancelled after professional work has commenced, the Client will be charged on a pro-rata basis for time spent on interviewing, scoring, review and report writing.
6.5 For Assessment Services, deposits may be non-refundable within 14 days of the scheduled appointment due to preparatory clinical work.
6.6 Cancellation fees will be charged to the Client’s nominated payment method.
7. REFUNDS & EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
7.1 No refunds are provided for completed sessions.
7.2 Refunds may be considered where cancellation occurs outside the cancellation window, documented technical failure prevents delivery, hospitalisation or genuine emergency occurs, natural disaster or widespread outage prevents attendance, or exceptional circumstances exist at the Practitioner’s discretion.
7.3 One late cancellation fee may be waived per calendar year at the Practitioner’s discretion.
8. RESCHEDULING, LATE ARRIVAL & DISCHARGE
8.1 Rescheduling within the cancellation window is treated as a cancellation.
8.2 Multiple cancellations or reschedules may result in discharge.
8.3 Sessions conclude at the scheduled time regardless of late arrival.
8.4 More than 15 minutes late without notice may be treated as non-attendance.
8.5 The Practitioner may discharge a Client for repeated cancellations, non-payment, inappropriate behaviour, unmanaged risk, or where the matter falls outside the Practitioner's scope of competence. Where clinically indicated, the Practitioner will provide reasonable notice of discharge and will take reasonable steps to provide the Client with information about alternative services or referral pathways, consistent with the Client's safety and the Practitioner's professional obligations. Discharge for reasons of safety or clinical unsuitability does not require prior notice where the circumstances make notice impractical.
8.6 Where the therapeutic relationship ends for any reason, the Practitioner will take reasonable steps to ensure clinical continuity and safe transition of care. Where appropriate and consistent with the Client's clinical needs, a closing summary, referral, or information about ongoing care options will be provided.
9. TELEHEALTH GOVERNANCE & SAFETY
9.1 Services are delivered via Telehealth in accordance with professional guidance on telepsychology and applicable privacy legislation.
9.2 The Practitioner implements reasonable safeguards to protect confidentiality, including secure platforms, encryption and controlled access to records. The Client acknowledges that no electronic communication system can be guaranteed completely secure.
9.3 The Client is responsible for ensuring privacy and safety at their location during Telehealth sessions.
9.4 The Client must provide their physical location at the start of each session and provide an emergency contact.
9.5 Where clinical risk escalates beyond what can be safely or ethically managed via Telehealth, the Practitioner may suspend, modify or terminate the session and direct the Client to appropriate local supports or emergency services.
9.6 The Client must not record any Telehealth session, in whole or in part, without the Practitioner's explicit prior written consent. Recording a private conversation without consent may be unlawful under the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) and equivalent legislation in other Australian states and territories. The Practitioner will likewise not record sessions without the Client's informed consent. Any consent to recording is separate from consent to the provision of Services and may be withdrawn at any time.
10. MINORS
10.1 Services for Clients under 18 require consent from a Parent with lawful parental responsibility.
10.2 Where law, court order, shared parental responsibility arrangements or Medical Provider requirements require dual parental consent, written consent from both Parents may be required before Services proceed or before a Report is issued.
10.3 Parents warrant that they have lawful authority to consent and will indemnify the Practitioner against claims arising from misrepresentation of parental responsibility.
10.4 The Practitioner may take reasonable steps to verify parental responsibility where clinically or legally indicated.
10.5 Assessment of decision-making capacity including consideration of Gillick competence may form part of clinical assessment but does not override legal consent requirements.
10.6 Parents and Clients are informed that the Practitioner's mandatory reporting obligations under applicable child protection legislation apply to all Services involving or relating to children and young people. A mandatory report does not constitute a breach of confidentiality and does not require the Client's or Parent's consent.
11. GENDER-AFFIRMING SERVICES
11.1 Gender-Affirming Assessments are conducted using developmentally informed, capacity-focused and evidence-informed frameworks having regard to relevant professional guidance including AusPATH and WPATH Standards of Care, while exercising independent clinical judgement.
11.2 The Practitioner provides psychological assessment and documentation regarding diagnostic criteria, mental health context and decision-making capacity. The Practitioner does not prescribe medication and does not provide medical advice.
11.3 Capacity assessment may include evaluation of understanding, reasoning, appreciation of risks and benefits, voluntariness, developmental stage and psychosocial context where clinically appropriate.
11.4 Eligibility for medical or surgical intervention is determined solely by the relevant Medical Provider and applicable law. The Practitioner does not guarantee access to treatment.
11.5 Reports reflect presentation at the time of assessment and cannot predict future identity development, treatment outcomes or future decisions.
11.6 A separate Gender-Affirming Care Consent must be signed prior to commencement of such Services.
11.7 The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2024 (NSW) prohibits practices that attempt to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The Practitioner does not engage in conversion or suppression practices. All gender-affirming Services are provided in accordance with this prohibition.
12. REPORT LIMITATIONS & RELIANCE
12.1 Reports are prepared based on information available at the time of assessment and reflect clinical opinion at that time.
12.2 Reports are prepared for clinical and therapeutic purposes only unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
12.3 The Practitioner is not responsible for decisions made by third parties including Medical Providers, surgeons, funding bodies, insurers, educational institutions, regulatory authorities or courts.
12.4 The Practitioner does not accept liability for reliance upon a Report beyond its stated purpose.
13. SUPERVISION SERVICES
13.1 Supervision Services require 48 business hours’ notice for cancellation.
13.2 Cancellation fees apply on the same basis as Therapy Services unless otherwise agreed.
13.3 For group supervision, payment is required at booking and refunds are not provided within seven days of the scheduled session.
14. HIGH-RISK DISCLOSURE
14.1 Services do not constitute crisis intervention or emergency mental health care.
14.2 If acute risk arises, the Practitioner may contact emergency services, a Parent or other appropriate supports in the Client’s jurisdiction.
14.3 The Practitioner may decline or cease Services where risk exceeds what can be safely managed within a Telehealth private practice context.
15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY & RISK ALLOCATION
15.1 Psychological Services involve professional clinical judgement exercised in good faith based on information available at the time. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed and reasonable practitioners may hold differing clinical opinions.
15.2 To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Practitioner’s liability arising from or in connection with the Services or any Report is limited to the resupply of the Services or the reasonable cost of resupply.
15.3 The Practitioner is not liable for decisions, delays or outcomes determined by third parties including Medical Providers, surgeons, funding bodies, insurers, educational institutions, courts or regulatory authorities.
15.4 The Practitioner is not responsible for adverse consequences arising from incomplete, inaccurate or withheld information provided by the Client, Parent or third parties.
15.5 The Practitioner is not liable for indirect, consequential or economic loss including loss of opportunity, funding, treatment access or reputational harm, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
15.6 Where Services are delivered via Telehealth, the Practitioner is not liable for technological failures beyond reasonable control where reasonable safeguards consistent with professional standards have been implemented.
15.7 Nothing in this Agreement excludes, restricts or modifies rights under the Australian Consumer Law or any other law that cannot lawfully be excluded.
15.8 This clause survives termination of the Agreement.
16. GOVERNING LAW
16.1 This Agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales.
16.2 The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.
16.3 To the extent that mandatory laws of the State or Territory in which the Client is physically located at the time Services are delivered apply and cannot be excluded by agreement, those laws will not be displaced by this clause. This includes but is not limited to mandatory reporting obligations, privacy laws, and guardianship or consent legislation applicable in the Client's jurisdiction.
17. RECORDS AND DATA RETENTION
17.1 Clinical records are maintained securely in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), and applicable professional obligations.
17.2 Adult client records are retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last entry. Records for clients who were under 18 at the time of treatment are retained until the client turns 25 or for seven years from the last entry, whichever is later.
17.3 Clients have the right to request access to their records in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. Access requests should be directed to the Practitioner in writing. Regulated fees may apply for access to health records.
17.4 In the event that the Practitioner ceases practice, relocates, or becomes unavailable, reasonable steps will be taken to ensure continuity of access to records and to notify current clients. Where possible, arrangements will be made to facilitate transfer of care.
17.5 The Practitioner may upload relevant clinical information to the Client's My Health Record where the Client consents and where it is clinically appropriate to do so. Clients may indicate their preference regarding My Health Record at intake. Clients may also manage their own My Health Record access settings at www.myhealthrecord.gov.au.
PART 2 — SCHEDULE OF FEES
This Schedule of Fees forms part of the Client Services Agreement between Kelly Penniment-Saich t/a Minds of Colour Psychology (the Practitioner) and the Client.
1. GENERAL FEE STRUCTURE
1.1 All Services are billed on a pay-per-session basis unless otherwise agreed in writing.
1.2 Current fees for each service type are published at the time of booking and may be updated from time to time.
1.3 Fees are aligned with relevant professional guidance including the APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees where applicable.
1.4 The fee payable is the fee in effect at the time the appointment is booked.
2. SERVICE CATEGORIES
2.1 Therapy Services
Therapy Services include Initial Therapy Sessions and Ongoing Therapy Sessions. Sessions are time-based as specified at booking.
2.2 Assessment Services
Assessment Services are delivered in staged format and may include:
(a) Initial Assessment Session
(b) Ongoing Assessment Sessions
(c) Report preparation
(d) Feedback and Report Session
2.3 Combined Assessments
Where Autism and ADHD assessments are integrated, fees apply per stage as specified at booking.
2.4 Gender-Affirming Assessments
Gender-Affirming Assessments are billed per session, with report preparation billed separately where applicable.
2.5 Supervision Services
Supervision Services include individual and group supervision. Group supervision requires payment at booking.
3. PAYMENT TERMS
3.1 Payment is processed via secure card following each appointment unless otherwise agreed.
3.2 By providing payment details at booking, the Client authorises the Practitioner to securely store their card and process payment for appointments, cancellation fees and other applicable charges.
3.3 Session fees are processed following each appointment. Report preparation and associated services must be paid prior to report writing commencing and prior to release of the Report.
3.4 Reports will not be released until full payment has been received.
3.5 If payment fails or remains outstanding, appointments may be cancelled and Services suspended.
4. MEDICARE & PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
4.1 Where Services are accessed under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), the full session fee is payable upfront.
4.2 Any Medicare rebate is processed after the session and paid directly to the Client.
4.3 Cancellation fees are not eligible for Medicare rebates.
4.4 Clients claiming through private health insurance must confirm eligibility with their insurer. Cancellation fees are not claimable.
5. CANCELLATION FEES – THERAPY & ASSESSMENT
5.1 No cancellation fee applies where at least 48 hours’ notice is provided.
5.2 Where notice is provided between 24 and 48 hours prior to the appointment, 50 percent of the session fee applies.
5.3 Where less than 24 hours’ notice is provided, or in the event of non-attendance, 100 percent of the session fee applies.
5.4 Where Assessment Services are cancelled after professional work has commenced, the Client will be charged on a pro-rata basis for time spent in interviewing, scoring, review and report writing.
5.5 Cancellation fees will be charged to the Client’s nominated payment method.
6. REFUNDS & EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
6.1 No refunds are provided for completed sessions.
6.2 Refunds may be considered where:
(a) the Client cancels outside the cancellation window;
(b) documented technical failure prevents delivery of the Service;
(c) hospitalisation or genuine emergency occurs;
(d) natural disaster or widespread outage prevents attendance; or
(e) exceptional circumstances exist at the Practitioner’s discretion.
6.3 One late cancellation fee may be waived per calendar year at the Practitioner’s discretion.
7. REDUCED FEES & HARDSHIP
7.1 A limited number of reduced-fee and bulk-billed places may be available.
7.2 Eligibility is determined at the Practitioner’s discretion and places are limited.
7.3 Payment plans may be considered in cases of demonstrated financial hardship.
This Schedule may be updated from time to time. The updated version applies to future bookings.
8. FEES*
Therapy Initial and Ongoing Session: $260 - 60 mins
Initial Assessment Session: $380 - 90 mins
Assessment Sessions: $260 - 60 mins
Report writing — $260 per hour (typically 1-2 hours)
Feedback appointment: $260 - 60 mins
*Fees are in line with the APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees (FY 2026). The APS Schedule is updated annually. Current fees are as listed above and will be confirmed at the time of booking.