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Current Privacy Policy for Athelas Psychiatry Privacy Policy Dr Megan Richardson Athelas Psychiatry Introduction This privacy policy provides information to patients and, where relevant, their families or carers, about how personal information, including health information, is collected, used, stored and disclosed within this practice. Dr Megan Richardson, trading as Athelas Psychiatry, is committed to protecting patient privacy and managing personal information carefully, lawfully and respectfully. This practice manages personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles. As a health service operating in the ACT, the practice also manages health information in accordance with the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (ACT), where applicable. A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au . When you register as a patient of the practice, you provide information that allows Dr Richardson and authorised administrative staff to provide clinical care and manage the administrative functions of the practice. Only people who need to access your personal information for clinical, administrative, billing, legal or safety purposes will be able to do so. If the practice needs to use or disclose your information for a purpose other than those described in this policy, we will seek additional consent unless the use or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law. What is personal information and why do we collect it? Personal information is information or an opinion that identifies, or could reasonably identify, an individual. Health information is a type of sensitive personal information. Examples of personal information collected by the practice may include: • your name, date of birth, address and contact details; • Medicare details, pension or concession details, and billing information; • emergency contact details; • referral letters and reports from general practitioners, psychologists, schools, hospitals, specialists or other health professionals; • personal, developmental, psychiatric, medical, family and social history; • assessment information, diagnosis, formulation, treatment plans and clinical notes; • medication information and prescribing history; • information relevant to risk, safety, consent, capacity, family or carer involvement, and continuity of care; • correspondence with you, your referrer, your general practitioner, your care team or other relevant people involved in your care. Personal information may be collected from you directly, or from other sources where this is clinically appropriate and you have provided consent, or where collection is otherwise required or authorised by law. This may include information from: • general practitioners; • psychologists or other allied health professionals; • specialists or hospitals; • family members, carers or guardians; • schools or educational institutions; • referrers or other members of your care team. The practice collects personal information for the primary purpose of providing psychiatric assessment, treatment, management, correspondence, administrative support, billing and continuity of care. The practice may also use or disclose personal information for secondary purposes that are closely related to the primary purpose, where you would reasonably expect this to occur, or where you have provided consent, or where the use or disclosure is required or authorised by law. How your information may be used Your personal information may be used for: • providing psychiatric assessment, treatment, management and follow-up care; • communicating with you about appointments, clinical care, referrals, prescriptions, letters, billing or administrative matters; • communicating with your general practitioner, referrer, psychologist, allied health providers, specialists, hospitals or other members of your care team, where consent has been provided or where disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; • preparing letters, reports, referrals, treatment plans or clinical correspondence; • billing, payment processing, Medicare claiming and compliance with Services Australia / Medicare requirements; • appointment reminders and other administrative communications by phone call, SMS or email; • managing the practice, including record keeping, audit, information technology, accounting, payment processing and professional advice; • responding to emergencies, serious risk, mandatory reporting obligations, subpoenas, court orders, warrants or other legal requirements; • supporting continuity of care if a locum, supervisor, professional adviser, referrer or care team member needs relevant information, where consent has been provided where required, and where disclosure is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Dealing with us anonymously or under a pseudonym You have the right to deal with the practice anonymously or under a pseudonym unless it is impracticable for the practice to provide care in that way, or unless the practice is required or authorised by law to deal only with identified individuals. Because psychiatry involves assessment, diagnosis, prescribing, correspondence, Medicare billing and management of clinical risk, it will usually be necessary for patients to be identified in order to receive clinical care. Sensitive information Sensitive information includes health information and may also include information about racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, sexual orientation, political opinions, membership of professional associations, criminal record, disability, family relationships and other sensitive matters. Sensitive information will be collected, used and disclosed only: • for the primary purpose for which it was collected; • for a directly related secondary purpose that you would reasonably expect; • with your consent; • where required or authorised by law; • where necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety; • where otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act or other applicable law. Children, young people, parents and carers When care involves a child or young person, the practice may need to collect information from, and communicate with, parents, guardians, carers, schools or other treating professionals. Information sharing will be managed according to the young person’s age, maturity, capacity, consent, safety needs, legal requirements and clinical circumstances. Where clinically and legally appropriate, Dr Richardson may also support a young person’s privacy and confidentiality within their family system. There may be circumstances where information needs to be shared with parents, guardians, carers, other health professionals or relevant authorities, particularly where there are concerns about safety, risk, consent, capacity or legal obligations. Third parties Where reasonable and practicable, the practice will collect personal information directly from you. In some circumstances, information may be provided by third parties, such as referrers, general practitioners, psychologists, hospitals, schools, family members, carers or other members of your care team. Where this occurs, reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that you are aware of the information collected, where appropriate and practicable. When, why and with whom do we share your personal information? The practice may share your personal information: • with other healthcare providers involved in your care, including your general practitioner, referrer, psychologist, allied health providers, specialists, hospitals or other members of your care team, where consent has been provided or where disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; • with a supervisor, locum, professional adviser, referrer or care team member where this is clinically appropriate, consent has been provided where required, and disclosure is limited to what is necessary; • with third parties who work with the practice for business or administrative purposes, such as information technology providers, secure communication providers, payment processors, accounting providers, accreditation agencies, payment recovery services or professional advisers; • when required or authorised by law, including in response to a subpoena, court order, warrant, mandatory reporting obligation or other legal requirement; • when necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety, or to public health or safety, and it is unreasonable or impracticable to obtain consent; • to assist in locating a missing person; • to establish, exercise or defend a legal or equitable claim; • for the purpose of a confidential dispute resolution process; • where there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information, such as mandatory notification requirements; • during the course of providing medical services, where disclosure is necessary for your care. Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, the practice will not share your personal information with a third party without your consent unless required or authorised by law. The practice will not use your personal information for direct marketing without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying the practice in writing. Overseas disclosure and technology providers The practice uses secure technology providers to support clinical care, practice administration, billing, communication, telehealth and record keeping. Some technology providers may store, process or provide technical support for information using infrastructure located outside Australia. Where overseas storage, processing or technical access occurs, the practice takes reasonable steps to ensure that the provider handles personal information consistently with Australian privacy requirements and that appropriate privacy and security safeguards are in place. Patients may review the privacy policies of relevant technology providers through those providers’ websites. How do we store and protect your personal information? Your personal information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. The practice uses secure practice management and clinical software, including Xestro and Halaxy, for appointment management, billing, correspondence and clinical record keeping. The practice takes reasonable steps to use systems that are appropriate for handling health information and that have privacy and security controls suitable for Australian health care practice. Paper information, if received, is securely stored and transferred into the practice management or clinical record system where appropriate. Paper documents are securely destroyed when no longer required. Information, including letters and documents sent by email, is handled with reasonable care. The practice uses secure email services where possible. However, the practice cannot guarantee the security of third-party email platforms or servers used by patients, families or other professionals. The practice uses email, fax, telephone and SMS to contact patients and providers. Where possible, the practice prefers to use Medical Objects or another secure healthcare communication platform for communication between health professionals. Telehealth Telehealth may be provided through Coviu or another secure telehealth platform suitable for clinical consultations. During telehealth consultations, patients are asked to participate from a private location where possible. Dr Richardson may ask who is present and whether you consent to proceeding in that environment. Patients are asked not to record consultations without prior discussion and consent. Dr Richardson will also inform you if any recording, transcription or AI-assisted documentation tool is proposed for use during a consultation. Use of transcription and AI-assisted documentation tools Dr Richardson may use secure health-specific transcription or AI-assisted documentation tools, including iScribe and/or Heidi, to assist with clinical note preparation. These tools may transcribe part or all of the consultation and generate a draft summary of the information discussed. The draft summary is reviewed by Dr Richardson before any note is entered into the clinical record. The transcript itself is not copied into the clinical record unless clinically required. The clinical record contains Dr Richardson’s clinical note, in the same way it would if notes were typed or written during the appointment. Where these tools are used, you will be informed and your consent will be sought. If you do not wish an AI scribe or transcription tool to be used during your appointment, this will be respected. Only the minimum necessary identifying information is used with these tools. Patients are not registered as users of these tools and will not be contacted directly by the transcription or AI documentation provider. Data breaches If the practice becomes aware of a privacy breach involving your personal information, reasonable steps will be taken to contain the breach, assess what has occurred, and reduce the risk of harm. Where required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner will be notified. The practice will also take reasonable steps to review the incident and improve systems or processes where needed. Retention and destruction of records Personal information is retained for as long as required for clinical, administrative, legal and professional purposes. Health records are generally retained for at least seven years from the date of last contact for adult patients. For information collected when a patient was under 18 years of age, records are generally retained until the patient turns 25 years of age. When personal information is no longer required, the practice will take reasonable steps to securely destroy or permanently de-identify it, unless the information must be retained for legal, clinical, administrative or professional reasons. Access to your personal information You may request access to personal information held about you, subject to certain exceptions under privacy law and health records legislation. If you wish to access your personal information, please contact the practice in writing. The practice will require appropriate identification before releasing personal information. Where the request is made by another person, written authority or evidence of legal authority may be required. The practice will not charge a fee for making an access request. An administrative fee may be charged for providing copies of records or preparing information for release. In some circumstances, access may be refused or limited, including where providing access would pose a serious threat to life, health or safety, would have an unreasonable impact on another person’s privacy, would breach confidentiality, would be unlawful, or where another legal exception applies. If access is refused or limited, the practice will provide an explanation where required and appropriate. Correction of personal information The practice takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete and up to date. If you believe that information held by the practice is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, please advise the practice as soon as practicable. Where appropriate, the practice will update or correct the information. If there is a disagreement about whether information should be changed, you may ask for a statement to be added to the record noting your view. Policy review This privacy policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains current and consistent with applicable privacy obligations. The policy will be reviewed at least annually and updated on the practice website where applicable. Important updates may also be provided directly to patients by email or another appropriate communication method. How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled? The practice takes privacy complaints and concerns seriously. If you have a privacy concern, please contact the practice in writing. The practice will review your concern and attempt to resolve it in accordance with the practice complaints resolution process. You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Generally, the OAIC will require you to give the practice time to respond before it will investigate. Further information is available at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling the OAIC on 1300 363 992. If your concern relates to a health service or health record in the ACT, you may also be able to contact the ACT Human Rights Commission. Contact details Please contact the practice with any questions about this privacy policy or the handling of your personal information. Email: admin@drmeganrichardson.com

What is a Psychiatrist? A psychiatrist is a fully qualified medical doctor who has completed additional specialist training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are trained to understand the complex interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health presentations. They may provide care through psychological therapies, medication, or a combination of both. To become a psychiatrist in Australia and New Zealand, a doctor must first complete: A medical degree (e.g., MBBS) Several years of work in general hospital medicine (e.g., emergency, surgery, internal medicine) At least five years of formal specialist psychiatric training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) This specialist training involves: Rigorous assessments Supervised clinical rotations across different areas of psychiatry (e.g., general adult, child and adolescent, inpatient, community) Exams and workplace-based assessments to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and professional standards Not everyone completes this demanding process. Only those who do are awarded the post-nominal FRANZCP, indicating they are a Fellow of the College and a fully qualified specialist psychiatrist. What is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist? A Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist is a psychiatrist who has completed additional, advanced training after their general psychiatry foundation. This sub-specialty training focuses specifically on the mental health of infants, children, adolescents, and families, including developmentally informed assessment and intervention. Completion of this training results in the Certificate of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Cert C&A Psychiatry). Only psychiatrists who hold this certificate are legally entitled to use the title "Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist", which is a protected title under Australian law. This is different from: A psychiatric registrar (a doctor currently in training) A doctor working in psychiatry without specialist qualifications Both roles are essential within the mental health system, but they do not hold the same level of training or accreditation as a specialist psychiatrist. When you see a psychiatrist with the titles FRANZCP and Cert C&A Psychiatry, this means they have completed: Full medical training Specialist psychiatry training Sub-specialist certification in child and adolescent psychiatry All associated assessments, supervision, and mandatory rotations This combination reflects a high level of expertise in managing complex mental health concerns across developmental stages. Understanding Mental Health Qualifications Many health professionals work in mental health, and all contribute valuable care in their areas of expertise. However, their qualifications can vary widely and may not always be easy to interpret—especially when there are multiple letters after someone’s name. Here's a quick guide to help make sense of them: FRANZCP = Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. This is the core qualification for a psychiatrist. FRACP = Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. This includes specialties such as paediatrics and internal medicine. These doctors are not psychiatrists but may work closely with mental health teams. FRACGP = Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. A GP with this qualification has completed specialist GP training. Some GPs have extended roles in mental health (sometimes called “GPwSI” – General Practitioner with a Special Interest), but they are not psychiatrists. NP = Nurse Practitioner. These are highly experienced registered nurses who may also hold doctoral degrees and use the title “Dr,” but they are not medical doctors or psychiatrists. In some settings, NPs can prescribe medication and offer excellent mental health support. Psychiatric registrar = A medical doctor currently in the psychiatric training program. They work under supervision and are not yet fully qualified as psychiatrists. Doctor working in psychiatry = This may refer to any medical doctor working in mental health, but without specialist psychiatry qualifications. Their exact level of training should be clarified. How to Check a Doctor’s Registration You can verify any doctor’s qualifications by searching the AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) public register: www.ahpra.gov.au A fully qualified psychiatrist will be listed as having specialist registration in psychiatry. If You're Unsure If you're ever unsure about a professional’s qualifications: You are entitled to ask the clinic or practitioner directly Or you can check their registration via AHPRA It’s important to feel confident in the qualifications of the person providing your care, especially in mental health settings where roles can look similar from the outside.

Clinic Fees All potential patients are sent a very clear list of fees which they confirm and consent to paying, prior to booking any appointments. If you have a current referral from your GP, you are likely to be eligible for a medicare rebate for any attended appointments during this period of care, which will be rebated to you from Medicare after your appointment has been attended and your fee is paid. We strive to keep our fees reasonable while providing an optimal service. We are unable to bulk bill or offer a standard concession discount. Please remember that once you reach the safety net, a full 50 minute review or therapy appointment will cost approximately $67 out of pocket (i.e. You pay the full fee to the clinic, Medicare pays your insured amount back into your nominated bank account, this insured amount should cover most of the fee apart from a remaining 'out of pocket' fee). You are able to see a psychiatrist weekly still get the full rebate, as long as you have a valid referral from your GP to see a psychiatrist. Current Appointment Fees for returning patients: Review 45+ minutes: $520 (The medicare rebate is $184.90. Out of pocket cost is $335.10) Review 30+ minutes: $390 (The medicare rebate is $134.00 Our of pocket cost is $256.00) Why don't you have a standard discount rate for concession card holders or low income families? We understand that the cost of care can be a burden and we do not take that lightly. We are unable to bulk bill and cover business operating costs. Why Do Psychiatric Services Cost So Much? Athelas Psychiatry is a small privately-run practice committed to delivering high-quality, personalised mental health care. We understand that the cost of psychiatric services can feel high, and we want to be transparent about why this is the case. Psychiatric care involves more than just the time spent in an appointment. Unlike bulk-billed services, which are limited by strict time and funding constraints, private psychiatric care allows for comprehensive assessments, collaboration with families and other providers, and continuity of care over time. Unfortunately, Medicare rebates only cover a portion of the true cost, and public psychiatric services remain stretched and difficult to access. Like solicitors, accountants, plumbers, and other service-based professionals, medical clinics must set fees that reflect both the expertise provided and the true cost of operating safely, ethically, and legally. Understanding Our Fee Structure At Athelas Psychiatry, the fee you pay on the day is the sole source of income for the clinic. We do not receive any additional funding from Medicare or other organisations. Athelas Psychiatry is a solo private practice. From the fee you pay, a significant portion goes towards essential operating costs, including administration, insurance, software, secure communication systems, professional supervision, medical registration and professional indemnity insurance. It’s important to understand that the doctor receives only a small portion of the total fee as income. How the Medicare Safety Net Can Help Medicare offers some additional financial support for families through the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN). Once your out-of-pocket medical expenses for the year reach a certain threshold, Medicare increases the rebate it pays. The Medicare Safety Net threshold is updated periodically. Please check Medicare or Services Australia for the current threshold. After this, Medicare will refund 80% of your out-of-pocket costs (i.e., the gap between the full fee and the standard Medicare rebate) or up to a capped amount per service — whichever is lower. Does the Medicare Rebate Cover the Cost of Psychiatric Care? Unfortunately, no — Medicare only covers a portion of the true cost of psychiatric services. The gap between what Medicare provides and the real cost of delivering specialist care means that most Australians are effectively under-insured when it comes to mental health. Psychiatric care involves significant clinical responsibility, long consultations, and complex documentation. Medicare rebates have not kept pace with inflation, costs of operation, or the expertise involved. As a result, families are left paying substantial out-of-pocket fees for necessary care. We know this system isn’t working — and we’re advocating for change. What Can I Do If I Can’t Afford Private Care? If private psychiatry is unaffordable, there are still options: Accessing Government-Funded Mental Health Care The Australian Government has recently rebranded its Medicare Mental Health clinics to improve access to free or low-cost services. These clinics can provide: Support from psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, or care coordinators Free mental health care for people who meet certain criteria However, they do not typically provide direct access to psychiatrists. You can ask your GP about, or directly contact: Head to Health clinics Medicare Mental Health Your local Primary Health Network services NGOs or telehealth providers funded through federal mental health initiatives While these can be helpful for some, they’re not a replacement for medical psychiatric care and this should also be available. What If We No Longer Need Psychiatric Care? This is a positive outcome. If your condition is stable or no longer requires medical psychiatric oversight, we fully support a transition back to your GP. There is no obligation to remain under specialist care "just in case." In fact, we encourage stepped-down care when appropriate. We’re happy to provide: A formal discharge letter summarising treatment Recommendations for follow-up or community supports Information for your GP to continue care confidently Our goal is not to keep families in care unnecessarily, but to support them during periods when specialist input is genuinely needed.

Contact Postal Address PO Box 68 Mawson ACT 2607 Contact Email: admin@drmeganrichardson.com A dedicated practice phone/text number will be added shortly. Contact Hours Your text messages and phonecalls will be returned during office hours. These are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 4pm. Please send a text message detailing your enquiry and when you are able to be contacted via phone. Please send professional correspondence via Medical Objects or HealthLink FAQ - Please check

Frequently Asked Questions Dr Richardson is only accepting referrals for intensive psychotherapy patients. Her books are closed to general psychiatry patients. Appointments & Access Dr Richardson sees patients from around Australia via telehealth. She does not see patients in-person. Patients with referrals from their GP are eligible for Medicare rebates for part of the session fees. Are your books open? No, sorry. Dr Richardson’s books are closed. We do not operate a waiting list. I have a booking - How do I move my appointment to a different day? Email us on admin@drmeganrichardson.com with the patient's name, date of appointment and your best contact information. Please note there are late cancellation policies. What if I’m running late? Please do your best to dial into the appointment on time. If you are going to be late, please email: admin@drmeganrichardson.com Paperwork, Letters & Certificates Can I get a medical certificate without an appointment? No. Legally, a certificate requires a doctor’s consultation . If it’s urgent, please see your GP or use an online telehealth service. Can I request a letter, report, or form between appointments? All paperwork should either be completed during your review, or will incur a fee that is equivalent to the appointment fee for the same time taken. Dr Richardson does not write medicolegal reports including family court reports as her focus is on clinical care. Concerns Between Appointments I’m worried about something that’s happened – what do I do? Please follow these steps: Email us with a brief outline of your concern. If urgent, please see your GP. If it is an emergency, call 000 or contact a crisis service (MH-Call: 1300 642 255). Please note: Email alone is not sufficient for clinical advice. I need to update Dr Richardson between sessions—what’s the best way? For brief updates, email admin@drmeganrichardson.com For clinical guidance or decision-making, you will need to book an earlier appointment. Cancellations, Fees & Policies What’s your cancellation policy? Cancel at least 2 full business days in advance. Late cancellations or no-shows leads to a fee of 50% of the appointment fee All moneys owing must be paid before another appointment is booked. What if I’m unwell before an appointment? Please discuss this during your telehealth appointment. Please see the Fees , Clinic Policies & Code of Conduct section for more details of vital information. “The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh, Postal Address PO Box 68 Mawson ACT 2607 Admin Contact admin@drmeganrichardson.com Fax Please do not fax. We prefer referrals to be sent directly via Medical Objects or HealthLink

Dr Megan Richardson - Telehealth Psychiatrist | Psychotherapist Athelas Psychiatry Meet Dr Megan Anchor 1 Dr. Megan Richardson Consultant Psychiatrist | Psychotherapist BAppSci MBBS FRANZCP Cert C&A Psychiatry Profile Dr Megan Richardson is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP), with subspecialist qualifications in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and has worked exclusively in private psychiatric practice since 2019. Her practice is focused on intensive, ongoing psychotherapy within a psychiatric framework. She works primarily with adolescents and adults experiencing complex, longstanding difficulties where identity, emotional regulation, and relational patterns are central. Clinical Focus Dr Richardson works with: • Complex and developmental trauma • Late-recognised autism and ADHD, particularly where masking and identity disruption are prominent • Anxiety disorders, OCD, and chronic affective instability • Adjustment difficulties in the context of relational or developmental stress Therapeutic Approach Dr Richardson’s work is centred on psychodynamic psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which form the core of her clinical practice. She offers weekly, 50-minute psychotherapy, with an emphasis on depth, continuity, and the therapeutic relationship as the central mechanism of change. Therapy focuses on: • Developing a more coherent and continuous sense of self • Understanding and working with internal parts (IFS) • Exploring patterns of attachment, expectation, and relational experience (psychodynamic) • Working with affect as it emerges within the therapeutic relationship • Repairing disruptions in self-experience and interpersonal connection Role of Psychiatry in Treatment Dr Richardson integrates psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care, with psychotherapy as the primary modality. This may include: • Diagnostic clarification where it informs the therapeutic process • Careful and considered use of medication where clinically indicated • Deprescribing where appropriate • Integration of neurodevelopmental and biological factors into the therapeutic understanding Medication is used selectively and in context, and is not offered as a stand-alone intervention. Structure of Care Dr Richardson primarily offers: • Weekly psychotherapy appointments of 50 minutes • Ongoing, continuity-based care Her practice is designed for patients who are able to engage in regular, consistent psychotherapy. Weekly therapy provides the foundation for this way of working. Those looking for less frequent appointments or medication-only care will find a different provider better suited to their needs. Training & Professional Development Dr Richardson has undertaken extensive psychotherapy training, with a particular focus on: • Internal Family Systems (IFS): Level 1, with ongoing supervision • Psychodynamic psychotherapy: ongoing supervision and advanced training • Circle of Security: Facilitator training She is trained in autism assessment, including ADOS-2 and MIGDAS-2, though her current clinical focus is on therapeutic work with neurodivergent individuals. She receives regular psychotherapy supervision and provides supervision to medical colleagues working with complex presentations. Scope of Practice Dr Richardson’s practice is outpatient and non-admitting. She does not provide medico-legal assessments. Where inpatient or higher-intensity care is required, she supports coordinated referral and transition to appropriate services. Dr Richardson operates a telehealth practice and does not see patients in-person. For administrative support please email: admin@drmeganrichardson.com A dedicated practice phone/text number will be added shortly.

Patient & Family Code of Conduct Patient & Family Code of Conduct All patients, families, staff, and visitors are expected to engage respectfully and appropriately within the clinic environment. This applies to all forms of interaction, including in-person, telephone, email, written, and other electronic communication. In assessing whether behaviour is appropriate, the experience of the person on the receiving end of the behaviour is the primary consideration. This means that the impact of an action, comment, or interaction matters more than the intended meaning behind it. Conduct that causes distress, discomfort, fear, or harm — even if not intended — will be taken seriously and addressed. Maintaining a psychologically safe and respectful environment is essential for care to proceed effectively and ethically. Disrespectful, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour may result in restriction of services or termination of care. Discrimination is not tolerated. While we aim to apply our policies with understanding and flexibility, breaches of the following guidelines may result in discharge and a referral back to your GP: Multiple appointment cancellations Booking an appointment and failing to attend Refusal to follow clinic rules or policies Aggression, rudeness or discrimination towards doctors, management, or administrative staff (zero tolerance policy) or other families or patients Intentional dishonesty or withholding crucial information that could affect the safety or effectiveness of your treatment Payments that are regularly paid after the due date, or refusal to pay moneys owed Repeated disregard for polite requests or established boundaries Failure to respond to an offer to rebook an appointment Not attending appointments as recommended as part of your treatment plan. Your referring GP will receive ongoing updates following your appointments, and they should be aware of Dr. Richardson's treatment plans and any monitoring required. When necessary, the doctor will send a discharge letter to your referring GP, and you will be included in that correspondence.

Payment Policies IMPORTANT Private Billing & Medicare Information Athelas Psychiatry is a private billing clinic. We are unable to offer bulk billing due to the insufficiency of Medicare rebates. All appointments are billed privately, and you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid referral. Medicare is your government-provided healthcare insurer. Rebates are processed back to you via Medicare after your appointment. You must re-register for the Medicare Safety Net each calendar year to ensure you're receiving maximum rebate support. A current referral is required for Medicare eligibility. Telehealth and in-clinic fees are equal. Note: In Australia, medical specialist outpatient appointments are usually not eligible for private health insurance rebates. However, private health funds may offer support for inpatient admissions, outpatient group therapy, or psychologist appointments. Fee schedules are available on request and are updated annually. Why Fee Timeliness Matters Paying fees on time is a key part of building a respectful and stable therapeutic relationship. It reflects mutual trust, responsibility, and shared investment in your care. Fees are due on the day of your appointment. Your payment covers wages, operational costs, technology systems, insurance, and all infrastructure involved in delivering your care. Non-payment affects the therapeutic relationship and care continuity. If You Can’t Pay On Time We understand that financial difficulty can arise. If you're unable to pay on time: Please contact us before your appointment to discuss your options. We can often make arrangements when there is open, early communication. However, delays without communication will result in service restrictions, including: Suspension of future appointments Withholding of scripts, letters, or paperwork Limitations on clinical care If unresolved, this may lead to a more prescriptive engagement model or termination of care. It’s vital we have shared clarity about expectations. Trust must go both ways. Missed Payments & Collection Policy If payment is not received when due: You will receive administrative follow-up. Future appointments will not be booked or held. Continued non-payment will result in termination of services and referral to a debt collection agency. Your balance may also incur additional fees. We aim to avoid debt collection wherever possible, but this step will be taken if we are unable to reach you after multiple contact attempts. Key Points to Remember ✅ All fees are due on the day of service ❌ We do not offer bulk billing or discounted fees 📄 No letters, scripts, or forms are issued outside appointments without appropriate payment or booking 💬 Always communicate early if you are having financial difficulty To maintain ongoing access to psychiatric care, we ask all patients to meet the responsibilities of timely payment and respectful communication.

Upcoming Leave Dr Richardson and staff are on leave during the following periods. We are unable to answer emails, write scripts, change appointments or reply to any other forms of contact during these times. Upcoming leave: July 2026 TBA September 2026 TBA Please note, in emergencies, contact your nearest emergency department or urgent care clinic. If you need a script, please contact your referring GP who may be able to provide you with an interim script. The decision of whether or not to prescribe a medication always rests with the individual prescribing doctor, whether this is a psychiatrist, paediatrician or GP.

Script Requests Scripts can only be written if appropriate and if the patient is a current patient. There may be a fee for the time taken to provide a script. This will be approximately $50 per script plus GST. It is not clinically appropriate to request a script instead of attending an appointment. Please give Dr Richardson up to 5 business days to complete the request. Please note she is unable to provide scripts while on leave. Contact your referring GP for additional support.

Emergencies PLEASE NOTE DR RICHARDSON DOES NOT OFFER EMERGENCY SUPPORT AND CANNOT OFFER A CRISIS SERVICE. If you are in crisis or have a sudden change in condition, we will want to review you as soon as practicable however this is not possible with the immediacy of an emergency out-of-hours appointment. Current patients who have future appointments booked should contact admin to bring their appointment to an earlier date AFTER they have organised emergency support and are safe. Who Can I Contact for Help? Emergency Support Contacts: FOR EMERGENCY SUPPORT PLEASE CONTACT: Lifeline Kids Helpline Or call 000 Or MHCall If you have needed emergency support, please let the clinic know so we can organise a prompt follow-up review in the coming week.