Privacy Policy

Introduction

At Counselling with Karine, we are committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of your personal health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal health information in compliance with the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

1. Collection of Personal Health Information

We collect personal health information directly from you or from person(s) acting on your behalf. The information we collect may include:

• Your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address.
• Your clinical history, family history, and details regarding your mental health goals and challenges.
• Notes taken during therapy sessions regarding your progress and treatment plans.
• Billing and payment information, such as credit card details or e-Transfer records.

2. Use of Your Information

Your personal health information is used solely for the purpose of providing you with safe, high-quality clinical psychotherapy services. Specifically, we use your information to:

• Assess your therapeutic needs and develop personalized treatment plans.
• Deliver evidence-based psychotherapy sessions (in-person or virtually).
• Maintain accurate clinical records in compliance with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) regulations.
• Process payments and issue official receipts for insurance reimbursement.

3. Disclosure of Personal Health Information

We do not disclose your personal health information to anyone without your explicit written consent, except where required or permitted by law. Under Ontario and Canadian law, there are specific limits to confidentiality where disclosure is legally mandated:

• Risk of Harm: If there is a clear and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to yourself or another person.
• Child Abuse: If there is reason to suspect that a child under the age of 16 is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect.
• Elder Abuse: If there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect of a resident in a long-term care home or retirement home.
• Sexual Abuse by a Healthcare Professional: If you disclose that you have been sexually abused by another regulated healthcare professional in Ontario.
• Subpoena: If our clinical records are subpoenaed by a court of law.

4. Safeguarding Your Data

We employ robust physical, administrative, and technological safeguards to protect your personal health information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, copying, modification, or disclosure:

• Secure Storage: Paper records (if any) are kept in locked filing cabinets in a secure office. Electronic records are stored on secure, encrypted, and password-protected platforms that comply with PHIPA and PIPEDA standards.
• Secure Communication: We use secure, encrypted email and virtual video platforms for teletherapy sessions.
• Data Retention: Clinical records are retained for at least 10 years following the date of your last session (or 10 years after you turn 18, if you started therapy as a minor), in accordance with CRPO regulations. After this period, electronic and physical records are permanently and securely destroyed.

5. Your Rights

You have the right to access, review, and request corrections to your personal health records. If you wish to view your records, please submit a written request to our office. We will respond to your request within 30 days, as required by PHIPA.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding our privacy practices or this Privacy Policy, please contact our privacy officer directly: