Collecting Personal Information

As a psychologist, I collect personal information, including demographic details, contact information, health information, and your views and perspectives. I use this information to contact you, provide invoices and receipts, assess your needs, develop a treatment plan, deliver services, evaluate the effectiveness of those services, respond to emergencies, and share your records or consultations with other parties (with your consent). Your personal information is protected by privacy legislation. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or for marketing or promotional purposes.

Electronic Communication

I communicate with my clients and other service providers through various electronic means, including phone, fax, email, text, and mail. While I take care to protect your privacy when using these methods, please keep in mind that they are only partially secure. If you have privacy concerns, let me know your preferred methods of communication.

Cancellation Policy

Your appointment time is specifically reserved for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a gap in the therapist’s schedule that could have been used for another client. As such, I require 48 hours’ notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. If you provide less than 48 hours’ notice or miss your appointment, a cancellation fee will be charged to the card on file.

Confidentiality

I have a legal and ethical duty to maintain the confidentiality of my clients. I will not share any personal health information without your knowledge and consent. However, there are certain situations where confidentiality may be limited, or exceptions may apply. By law and under professional and ethical standards, I am obligated to release information without my client’s consent in the following situations.

- When there is a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else.

- When I suspect a child under 16 may be at risk of abuse or neglect, I must report that information to the Child Aid Society by law. This includes any indication that a child may be witnessing violence or experiencing verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or neglect.

- If a client reports abuse by a regulated health professional, I am required to notify the appropriate regulatory body.

- If I suspect that a person in a long-term care facility or nursing home is at risk of abuse, neglect, or incompetent treatment, I am obligated to report this to the relevant authorities.

- If I receive a court order to release your file or to testify, I must comply.

- The College of Psychologists of Ontario may conduct quality audits as part of their regulatory activities. If audited, I will be required to disclose files, though all information is protected by the College’s privacy rules.

- In the case of a missing person, I may need to release information if requested by the police with a search order or warrant from a judge.