1. Confidentiality
All discussions within your therapy sessions is kept strictly confidential and may not be shared with another party without your consent unless mandated by law. Sessions may be discussed, monitored, audio or videotaped for supervision or documentation purposes only.*Exceptions required by law* includes but are not limited to the following: Duty to warn and protect if a plan or threat to harm oneself or others is disclosed or suspected; and abuse or harmful neglect of children or vulnerable adults is disclosed or suspected. We hold a no-secret policy for clients seeking counselling as a couple or a family. Information shared during a session, whether conjoint or individual, are considered therapeutically relevant information for couples and families and could be shared among the consented client unit during sessions.
2. Inter-professional collaboration
In order to provide the safest and the most efficient care for you, inter-professional collaboration often is a key component of successful treatment. These include collaboration with other healthcare professionals, specialists, supervisors, and services. Your therapist will discuss any planned inter-professional collaboration with you and obtain written consent prior to proceeding with collaboration.
3. Limits of services and assumption of risks
Therapy sessions carry both benefits and risks. You might experience uncomfortable feelings or emotional distress during the therapeutic process. You may also decide to alter significant aspects of your life and modify your emotions, attitudes, and behaviours. You are encouraged to discuss about these risks thoroughly with your therapist prior to beginning counselling.
4. Record keeping, accessing, retention and destruction policy
Session and intake records are kept electronically on a secured encrypted local storage device. An audit trail of changes made is generated automatically whenever the file is being updated. You have the right to access and correct any errors on your records. Session and intake records are retained for 10 years after the last interaction with you or when you turn 18, whichever is later. Financial and appointment attendance records are kept for 5 years. Expired records will be destroyed in a secure manner that prevents anyone from accessing, discovering, or otherwise obtaining the information. The names of the destroyed files and the date the files are destroyed will be recorded.
5. Your rights and consent
The therapist does not have the right to assess or provide therapy to you without your consent. Your consent will only be used for the purpose proposed, explained, and stated, which includes but not limited to the nature of and the reasons for the assessment or therapy, information about the therapist, risks and potential side-effects, treatment alternatives, and consequences of no intervention. Consent is your choice and you may be asked to provide consent repeatedly as changes in therapy become advisable. You have the right to inquire or refuse any assessment, care, treatment, or services at any time. Consent can be provided by signing a written document, making a verbal statement, or implied by your actions. You or your legal substitute decision-maker must be deemed capable at the time the consent is given.
6. Therapist communications and no-gifting policy
Relationship between the therapist and you are kept strictly professional under CRPO and CAMFT guidance. The therapist will only discuss your case with you during formal visits within regular business hours. If you require any documentation, reports, or letters of reference related to your case, an administrative fee will be required. Fees are in general $55-$95 per page and may vary depending on the type of documentation requested.
Our office has a no-gifting policy where the therapist and staffs will not be accepting gifts from any clients.
7. Emergencies
If you are in crisis at the moment, please go to the nearest hospital emergency department to seek help from a physician on duty or call 911 to seek for immediate assistance. Facebook is not an appropriate channel for seeking emergency assistance.