Policies

Risks and Benefits

Psychotherapy:

Making changes can be difficult and exploration of our internal experiences during psychotherapy can sometimes lead to painful emotional experiences. However, with growing awareness gained and working through the painful emotions, you can experience positive change and an improved sense of well-being.

Assessment:

The assessment process can sometimes be difficult as you may be asked to think about and share information regarding unpleasant experiences. Another risk is that the assessment outcome may sometimes be different from what you expected or hoped. However, if you are open in your responses, an accurate formulation and diagnosis, if appropriate, will be generated. This will help to provide the most appropriate recommendations to help you with your struggles.

Confidentiality

With a few exceptions, you have the absolute right to confidentiality in your therapy and assessment. You may, however, direct your therapist in writing to share information with whomever necessary.

There are certain situations when we are required, by law and ethics, to break confidentiality and share your information with the appropriate authorities and/or your emergency contact. These circumstances include:

• If there is reason to believe you are at serious and imminent risk of physically harming yourself or another person

• If there is reason to believe that a child is suffering from abuse and/or neglect

• If there is reason to believe that a vulnerable person in a long-term care facility or retirement home is being abused

• If you inform me of a regulated health professional who is sexually abusing a patient

• If we are authorized or compelled by law to provide your records

• If a health professional licensing body (including the College of Psychologist of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) audits your therapist and requests for their client records for this purpose

Privacy and Digital / Social Media

In keeping with our ethical duty to maintain your confidentiality and therapeutic boundaries, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any of our personal social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).

Please do not use mobile text messaging or messaging on DPPC social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to contact us. These sites are not secure and we do not monitor or use these messaging platforms.

Please do not leave reviews, use wall postings, @replies, or other means of engaging with us in public online if we have an already established client-therapist relationship. Communicating with us this way compromises your confidentiality. These communications could also become a part of your legal clinical record. We welcome you to speak with us directly regarding any positive or negative thoughts you have about our work together. We are always happy to hear your feedback directly and work through any of your concerns.

Please be aware that email is not completely confidential if it is not encrypted. For the protection of your privacy, please only share information that you would be comfortable disclosing in public. Please note that your email communications can become part of your clinical file.

Record Keeping

Personal health information that we collect is used only for your care and treatment. You have the right to request access to your health information and ask questions about the way the privacy of your personal health information is being handled.

Fees

Our fees follow the guidelines suggested by professional associations (e.g. Ontario Psychological Association) and are based on your therapist’s level of specialized training, experience, and continued involvement in professional development activities. Please contact us to discuss your therapist’s fees. 

Fees for psychological assessment are billed at your psychologist’s rate with the total fee based on the length of assessment which depends on the complexity and type of assessment. 

Fees are payable by e-transfer and are due at the end of each session. 

Psychologists and psychotherapists are not covered by OHIP but may be covered by extended health insurance plans. Please contact your insurance company to check that your insurance plan covers services from your therapist. It would be helpful to also inquire about the details required on your receipt.

Missed Appointments

If you will not be able to attend a scheduled appointment, please notify us at least 24 business hours (excluding weekends) before your session. Since the appointment time is reserved just for you, you will be charged the full fee if less than 24 business hours notice is provided.