Privacy Policy

Ashley respects the privacy of her clients, holds in strict confidence all information regarding her clients and complies with applicable privacy legislation. No information will be released to a third party without your written permission. At any time, you have the right to withhold or withdraw consent, or place conditions on the disclosure of your information. 

 

The nature of personal information collected may include:

Information required to maintain a working file according to the standards of our profession such as your name, address, phone numbers, date of birth, other contact information, names of others who are significant to your situation (family, your doctor, and other professionals)
and sometimes their contact information. As part of the College’s standards Ashley is required to document the work that is being done in sessions, any correspondence sent or received, any consents and other documents you have signed, copies of documents you provide us and any other relevant documents supporting the work.

Information necessary for billing purposes which may include information about other third party payers, copies of all receipts given to you including copies of electronic payments, copies of invoices and billing records and information related to the scheduling of appointments with you.

This information is collected for the following reasons:

1. To maintain a clinical file or working file that meets the standards of the profession and the CRPO.
2. To provide this service for you in a manner that ensures your safety.
3. To maintain a high standard of professionalism in the provision of service.
4. To assist in the process of billing for my services.
5. To meet other legal and regulatory requirements.
6. To maintain records pertaining to the operations of a business and to make these records available if requested.

There may be occasions where information about you or your situation must be shared without your consent. These situations are exceptional but may include the following:

1. If I have information about abuse or risk of abuse to a child under the age of 18 then I must report this to the proper authority, this can
include exposure to domestic violence.
2. If I have a concern about any risk that you may do harm to yourself or harm to another person then I must take action to ensure your
safety or the safety of others.
3. If I have information about sexual misconduct of a regulated professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, doctor etc.)
4. If I am required by law to release information such as receiving a subpoena from court.
5. When disclosure is needed to receive professional or legal consultation.
6. If I must defend myself against a complaint filed with the CRPO or any other court action.
 

While these events are rare it is important you are aware that these possibilities do exist. The primary goal is to foster a safe space where you feel comfortable and able to explore and disclose personal concerns. If there are other limits of confidentiality in your situation, we will identify and discuss them with you before proceeding with your service.

There are times where Ashley may share pertinent anonymous information about certain clients within the confidential context of supervision, for the purpose of providing the highest quality care in the benefit of the clients. However, all identifying information such as the client’s name will remain confidential. There will be times when you will ask me to do this as well. On these occasions, we will always discuss this information-sharing with you, and we will look at the benefits and consequences of speaking to others about your situation. We would then ask for your informed, written consent for me to share your information.

In the event of incapacity or death of Ashley, a designated psychotherapist would have some access to information in order to assist the client in a transfer to another therapist or to maintain the file according to legal and regulatory standards. This psychotherapist would also be a member of the CRPO and would be obligated to provide all services to the same standard that Ashley would be.