At Brighter Tomorrow Counselling Services, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and retain your personal and health information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), provincial health regulations, and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) data retention guidelines.

By accessing or using our website, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the course of providing psychotherapy services and managing our website. The types of information we may collect include:

• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and other identifying details you provide when you contact us or make an appointment.
• Health Information: Information about your health, therapy needs, medical history, and any other relevant information for your therapy sessions.
• Usage Information: Data collected through cookies and other tracking technologies regarding your usage of our website, including your IP address, browser type, and interactions with our content.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide psychotherapy services, including scheduling and conducting therapy sessions.
• To respond to your inquiries, provide support, and communicate with you about your treatment.
• To manage our website, improve our services, and enhance your user experience.
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, such as keeping records for healthcare purposes in compliance with applicable laws.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take your privacy seriously and implement appropriate measures to safeguard your personal information:

• We employ physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect against unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration of your personal and health information.
• Personal health information is stored securely and is accessed only by authorized individuals.
• Sensitive data transmitted via our website is encrypted to prevent unauthorized interception.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, there are instances in which we may share your information:

• With Your Consent: If you provide explicit consent, we may share your information with other healthcare providers or individuals involved in your care.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your personal information if required by law, such as complying with a court order, subpoena, or other legal processes.
• Emergency Situations: In certain emergencies, we may disclose information to protect your health or safety, or the health or safety of others.

5. Your Rights Under PIPEDA

As a resident of Canada, you have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

• The right to access your personal information.
• The right to request corrections to your personal information if it is inaccurate.
• The right to withdraw consent for the use of your personal information, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the contact details provided below.

6. Data Retention

In compliance with the CRPO’s data retention guidelines, we retain client records for a period of at least 10 years after the date of the last therapy session. This retention period allows us to:

• Maintain proper records for legal, professional, and ethical purposes.
• Ensure continuity of care if needed in the future.
• Meet the requirements set forth by the CRPO for record-keeping.

After the retention period, client records will be securely destroyed, following the CRPO’s guidelines for confidential disposal. In the case of a client who is under the age of 18 at the time of the last session, we will retain the records for at least 10 years after the client reaches the age of 18.

7. Third-Party Websites

We use third-party services such as Jane to help us manage appointments, payments, and communication. Jane is fully committed to complying with privacy laws to protect your personal and health information. For more information on how Jane protects your data, please refer to their Privacy Policy.

8. Children’s Privacy

Children’s privacy in psychotherapy involves balancing confidentiality with the need for parental involvement and ensuring the child’s safety. While therapy is based on the principle of confidentiality, this may be limited in situations where a child is at risk of harm, such as in cases of abuse or suicidal thoughts. Parents typically consent to therapy for minors, but therapists must navigate the child’s right to privacy with the parent’s right to be informed. Older children and adolescents may have more control over confidentiality, though significant concerns may still be disclosed to parents. Ethical decisions are made with the child’s best interests in mind, considering safety, trust, and legal requirements.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or to comply with legal requirements. When we make changes, we will post the updated policy on this page, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised. Please check this page regularly to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights under PIPEDA, please contact us:BT-Counselling Services
Email: info@bt-counsellingservices.ca
Phone: +1 905 514 9194
Address: 28, Stationview place Bolon. ON L7E1K8

Last updated: September 2025