This draft of my privacy policy was created on Sunday, April 24, 2023 at 5:11 p.m. PST.
Clayre Sessoms (she/they)
Mail: 460-1231 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E2, Canada
Email: info[at]clayresessoms[dot]com
Welcome to my privacy policy page. As a registered psychotherapist in Canada, I understand the importance of protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This policy outlines my commitment to safeguarding your personal data and upholding the principles and regulations set forth by the governing bodies in the field of mental health services, including the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
My privacy policy is guided by the regulatory bodies I am a member of, including the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), British Columbia Art Therapy Association (BCATA), Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Additionally, it is informed by The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) of Ontario. I encourage you to review these guidelines as an extension of my policies and procedures, which can be found in the references section.
As a psychotherapist, I, Clayre Sessoms, am responsible for complying with BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). These policies and procedures have been created in alignment with PIPA and PHIPA to ensure the reasonable and responsible management of all personal information and personal health information under my control, including information that may have been transferred to other colleagues or organizations for review or processing.
The purpose of collecting personal information and personal health information is to provide effective psychotherapy, art therapy, and other mental health services tailored to your individual needs. Before or during the collection of personal information, I will clearly identify the purpose(s) for which the information is needed and how it will be used and disclosed, ensuring that we maintain client confidentiality within legal limitations, as outlined by the CRPO. We will limit the collection to what a reasonable person would consider appropriate under the circumstances and ensure that it is necessary to fulfill the identified purpose(s). By doing so, I aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for my clients while respecting their privacy and abiding by the higher standard of confidentiality required by the CRPO.
I am committed to obtaining consent from clients for personal information collection, usage, and disclosure. Consent may be expressed, in which case the client actively provides permission, or deemed, in which case permission is inferred based on the circumstances as specified under PIPA. I will clearly explain the purpose of collecting personal information and how it will be used and disclosed, ensuring that clients understand and provide their informed consent before proceeding.
I collect personal information through various methods, including client intake forms, online questionnaires, and during the course of therapy sessions. In every instance, I will limit the collection of personal information to what is necessary for the identified purpose(s) and ensure that it is relevant and not excessive.
I will use, disclose, and retain personal information in a manner that is consistent with PIPA regulations and the purposes for which it was collected. I will take all reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is not disclosed to unauthorized parties, and I will retain personal information only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of the identified purpose(s) or as required by law.
I strive to ensure the accuracy of collected personal information and will update and correct personal information as necessary. Clients have the right to access and request corrections to their personal information, and I will respond to such requests in a timely and appropriate manner.
I take various measures to protect personal information, including physical, organizational, and technological safeguards. These measures are designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal information and to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration.
I am dedicated to providing clear and accessible information about my privacy policies and practices. I encourage clients to ask questions and raise concerns about their personal information or my privacy practices. I will make every effort to address these concerns and provide clients with any necessary clarification.
Clients have the right to access their personal information held by me. Upon written request, I will provide clients with the information, subject to any legal limitations or restrictions. If there are any discrepancies or inaccuracies in the personal information, clients may request corrections or updates, and I will make the necessary changes in a timely manner.
If clients have any concerns about my compliance with PIPA or the privacy practices outlined in this policy, they are encouraged to express their concerns to me. I am committed to addressing and resolving any issues or concerns clients may have about the handling of their personal information. In the event that I cannot resolve a client’s concern, they may also contact the appropriate privacy regulatory authority for further assistance.
I reserve the right to update or modify this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect any changes in my privacy practices, legal requirements, or other relevant factors. Clients will be notified of any significant changes to this policy, and the most current version will always be available on my website for review.
If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy or the handling of your personal information, please feel free to contact me at info[at]clayresessoms[dot]com. I am committed to addressing your concerns and ensuring the privacy and security of your personal information.