Privacy Policy

Who We Are

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to personal information collected through this website and during initial contact with our practice.

If you become a client, additional consent, confidentiality, record-keeping and privacy information will be explained as part of the counselling intake process. Those clinical documents may provide more specific information about how personal health information is handled.

Personal information and personal health information may be governed by applicable privacy legislation, including Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), as applicable.

Information We Collect

The information collected depends on how you interact with us.

Information you provide

• Your name and contact details, such as your telephone number and email address
• The counselling service you are interested in
• Information included in an email, telephone conversation or website enquiry
• Appointment, billing and payment information when you become a client
• Personal health information collected during intake and counselling, where applicable

Information collected when you use the website

Our website and the services used to operate it may process basic technical information such as your browser type, device type, pages requested, date and time of access, referring page and IP address. This information may be used for security, maintenance and understanding how the website is used.

How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• Respond to enquiries and arrange consultations or appointments
• Provide counselling and related administrative services
• Match a prospective client with an appropriate clinician
• Process payments and provide receipts
• Maintain clinical and business records where required
• Protect the security and proper operation of our website and systems
• Meet legal, regulatory, insurance and professional obligations

We aim to collect only the information reasonably necessary for the identified purpose.

Consent

We seek consent for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information where consent is required. The form of consent may depend on the nature and sensitivity of the information and the circumstances.

You may ask questions about a request for information and, subject to legal or professional requirements, may withdraw consent for future uses or disclosures. Withdrawing consent may affect our ability to provide a requested service.

When Information May Be Shared

We do not sell personal information.

Information may be shared only as reasonably necessary to operate the practice and provide services, with consent, or where permitted or required by law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• A clinician or authorized member of the practice involved in your care or enquiry
• A service provider supporting secure administration, technology, payment processing or professional operations
• A professional adviser, insurer, regulator or legal authority where appropriate
• Another person or organization when you direct or authorize us to share information

Confidentiality is important but is not absolute. A clinician will explain the professional and legal limits of confidentiality before counselling begins.

How We Protect Information

We use administrative, physical and technical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. Access is limited to people who need the information for an authorized purpose.

No website, email system or method of electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Please do not send detailed personal health information through ordinary email or an initial website enquiry. We can arrange a more appropriate private conversation.

Retention and Disposal

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet applicable legal, regulatory, professional, insurance and record-keeping requirements.

When information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed, deleted or made anonymous, as appropriate.

Website Services, Cookies and External Providers

The website may use cookies or similar browser storage that is necessary for functionality, preferences, security or embedded services.

Pages on this website may load services provided by third parties, including Google Maps and Google Translate. Our website also links to social media platforms and WhatsApp. When you use an embedded service or follow an external link, that provider may receive technical information and its own privacy policy will apply.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling some browser features may affect how parts of the website work.

This website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites.

Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may ask whether we hold personal information about you and request access to or correction of that information, subject to applicable legal and professional exceptions.

We may need to verify your identity before responding. If we cannot provide access or make a requested correction, we will explain the reason where required.

Privacy Incidents

If a privacy incident occurs, we will take reasonable steps to contain and assess it and will provide notification or make reports where required by applicable law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy when our practices, services or legal obligations change. The current version will be posted on this page with its last-updated date.

Questions, Requests or Concerns

To ask a privacy question or request access to or correction of personal information, contact us:

If a concern cannot be resolved directly, you may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario or, where applicable, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.