Informed Consent
Before starting your therapy, it is important to know what to expect, and to understand your rights as well as commitments. This consent form is an attempt to be as transparent with you as we can about the therapy process, so you are fully informed prior to starting your journey.
Risks:
While undergoing therapy, old wounds, painful emotions, or traumatic experiences may be opened up again and may cause distress or discomfort. This is part of the working progress of one's therapy.
Confidentiality in Psychotherapy
Your privacy is of utmost importance. The information you share with your therapist during therapy sessions is confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without your written permission, except in the situations outlined below.
1. Legal Obligations
Child, Elder, or Vulnerable Adult Abuse: I am required by law to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect of children, elders, or vulnerable adults to the appropriate authorities.
- Threats of Harm: If you disclose an intent to harm yourself or others, I must take necessary actions to ensure safety, which may include notifying law enforcement or medical professionals.
- Court Orders: I must comply with legal orders, such as subpoenas or court mandates, that require the release of your therapy records.
2. Professional Consultation and Supervision
- To provide you with the highest quality care, I may consult with professional colleagues or supervisors. During these consultations, I will protect your identity and only share necessary information.
Emergency Policy:
Please note that this service does not provide emergency or crisis support. In the event of crisis, emergencies, or the need for immediate emotional support, please contact a Mental Health Crisis line (such as Distress Centers at 416-408-4357) call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Text Messaging and Email Communications:
We use text messaging or email communication only with your permission and only for administrative purposes unless we have made another agreement. That means that text messages or email exchanges should be limited to things like setting and changing appointments, billing matters and other related issues. Please do not text or email your intern counsellor about clinical matters because email is not a secure way to contact us. If you need to discuss a clinical matter with your intern counsellor, please feel free to text or email them to set-up an earlier appointment. We will attempt to respond within 24 hours except on weekends or holidays. If you are unable to reach us and feel that you cannot wait for us to return your call, contact your family physician or the nearest emergency room (please review our emergency/ crisis policy above).
Social Media:
We do not communicate with, or contact, any of our clients through social media platforms like X, Instagram, or Facebook. This is because these types of casual social contacts can create significant security risks for you. If you have an online presence, there is a possibility that you may encounter me by accident. If that occurs, please discuss it with us during our time together. I believe that any communications with clients online have a high potential to compromise the professional relationship. In addition, please do not try to contact me in this way.
Benefits and Risks of Online Therapy
Benefits:
Online therapy refers to providing therapy services remotely using telecommunications technologies, such as video conferencing. One of the benefits of online therapy is that the client and clinician can engage in services without being in the same physical location. It is also more convenient and takes less time. Online therapy, however, requires technical competence on both our parts to be helpful. Although there are benefits of online therapy, there are some differences between in-person therapy and online therapy, as well as some risks.
Risks to confidentiality:
Because online therapy sessions take place outside of the therapist’s private office, there is potential for other people to overhear sessions if you are not in a private place during the session. On our end, we will take reasonable steps to ensure your privacy. But it is important for you to make sure you find a private place for our session where you will not be interrupted. It is also important for you to protect the privacy of our session on your cell phone or other device. You should participate in therapy only while in a room or area where other people are not present and cannot overhear the conversation.
Risks related to technology:
There are many ways that technology issues might impact online therapy. For example, technology may stop working during a session, other people might be able to get access to our private conversation, or stored data could be accessed by unauthorized people or companies. Additionally, you may have to have certain computer or cell phone systems to use online therapy services. You are solely responsible for any cost to you to obtain any necessary equipment, accessories, or software to take part in online therapy.
Online Recording:
The online sessions shall not be recorded in any way unless agreed to in writing by mutual consent. We will maintain a record of our session in the same way we maintain records of in-person sessions in accordance with our policies.
By signing this informed consent form you affirm that:
- You have read the information about the therapist and the therapy above and have understood them very well.
- You acknowledge that you have read and understood the limits of confidentiality as outlined above.
- You agree to these terms and consent to participate in psychotherapy under these conditions.
- You understand your rights as well as your responsibilities as a client/patient to this therapy.
Be assured that you can revoke your consent at any time in the therapeutic process. You are also encouraged to ask any questions you have to your matched intern counsellor during your first session.