Therapy with Empathy ā PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: Mar 1, 2026
Therapy with Empathy is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of your personal information and health-related information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect information obtained through our website and in the course of providing therapeutic services.
OUR ROLE
Therapy with Empathy provides health and therapeutic services and is responsible for safeguarding the personal and health information entrusted to us. We take reasonable steps to ensure that information is handled in a secure, ethical, and confidential manner.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)?
Personal and health information includes identifying information about an individual that relates to their physical or mental health, health care history, the provision of health care, or payment for services.
Examples include:
- Identifying Information: Name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number, emergency contacts
- Clinical Information: Intake forms, health history, presenting concerns, assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, progress notes, and correspondence related to care
- Administrative & Financial Information: Appointment records, invoices, billing details, insurance information, and payment history
- Other Identifying Information: Participation in therapy services (individual or group) or information that could reasonably identify a client
INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH OUR WEBSITE
When you visit our website, we may collect:
- Information you voluntarily submit through contact forms (such as name, email address, and phone number)
- Communications sent to us by email or online forms
- Technical information such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and device data through cookies or analytics tools
You may browse our website without submitting identifying information. Clinical and therapeutic information is not collected for care purposes through the public website. Health information related to therapy services is collected through secure systems.
CONSENT
We collect, use, and share personal and health information only with your consent, except where permitted or required to do so for professional, legal, or safety reasons.
- Consent may be implied when information is used for purposes directly related to providing and coordinating your care
- Explicit consent may be required for uses or disclosures outside of care-related purposes
You may withdraw or limit your consent where permitted, understanding that some information must be retained to meet professional and legal obligations.
HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We use personal and health information only as necessary to:
- Provide therapeutic and health care services
- Communicate with you regarding your care or appointments
- Maintain accurate clinical and administrative records
- Process payments and insurance claims
- Meet professional, ethical, and legal obligations
- Operate our practice in a responsible and secure manner
Health information is not used for marketing or advertising purposes.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
We may send administrative, scheduling, or educational communications related to our services. Marketing communications (such as newsletters) are sent only if you have provided consent, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
Personal and health information is never used for targeted advertising.
COOKIES AND WEBSITE ANALYTICS
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve functionality and understand general website usage. These tools collect non-clinical, non-health identifying information only.
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Information may be shared:
- With other health care providers involved in your care
- With service providers who support our operations (such as electronic record systems), under confidentiality and data-protection agreements
- When required or permitted for legal, regulatory, or safety reasons
We do not sell or trade personal or health information.
SAFEGUARDS AND SECURITY
We use administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect information, including:
- Secure electronic systems and encryption
- Limited access based on role and necessity
- Confidentiality obligations for staff and contractors
- Secure storage, transmission, and disposal practices
If a privacy incident occurs, we will take appropriate steps to reduce risk and notify affected individuals when required.
RETENTION OF INFORMATION
Personal and health information is retained only for as long as necessary to:
- Provide care and services
- Meet professional, legal, and record-keeping obligations
- Resolve disputes or enforce agreements
Retention periods vary based on the type of information and applicable requirements.
YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
You may have the right to:
- Request access to your personal or health information
- Request corrections to your records
- Limit or withdraw consent, where permitted
- Ask questions or raise concerns about privacy practices
Requests should be made in writing to our Privacy Contact Person.
THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page and apply to information collected after the effective date.
QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK
If you have a question, request, or concern about privacy at our clinic, please contact:
š Privacy Contact Person: Benslyne Avril, Clinical Director
š 343-308-7404 | info@therapywithempathy.com
If your concern is not resolved, you may contact:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC)
Toll-free: 1-800-387-0073ā|āwww.ipc.on.ca