Service Agreement
The consultation you are signing up for is a discussion and consultation-based workshop on the topic of neurodivergent-affirming psychological services for autism.
This workshop will be facilitated and/or provided by licensed psychologists Dr. Julia Ryan (CPBAO #6871) and Dr. Kelly Weegar (CPBAO #6982).
The services provided are NOT healthcare, psychotherapy, or supervision services and should not replace any required supervision.
The consultation group session will include a range of discussion topics related to providing neurodivergent-affirming autism care, including but not limited to refining assessment skills, identifying and supporting subtle presentations, differentiating comorbid presentations, planning and execution interventions for development, mental health or family functioning, new or emerging findings, case consultations, etc.
Group discussions can allow for deeper learning, a sense of peer support and community, and sharing of resources.
Those bringing cases will benefit from alternative perspectives, validation and suggestions on next steps, and resource/recommendation ideas.
Group participants have the right to accept or reject clinical feedback from the facilitator or other group members, though doing so in a respectful manner is expected.
Although you may sometimes need to discuss personal issues that may be relevant to clinical work, consultation does not constitute psychotherapy. Peer consultation is not a substitute for all forms of professional support a practitioner may need.
Practitioners must recognize when an issue raised in consultation may require further consultation, such as with an outside expert, a supervisor, attorney, malpractice insurance providers, professional boards, regulatory agencies, or professional associations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased skill, knowledge, confidence, and competence
- Increased opportunities for professional growth and skills development
- Increased quality of services to clients/patients
- Deeper learning and peer support
- Broadening of your clinical and professional lens due to exposure to other perspectives and skills
- Development of a referral network and community of practice
- Decreased isolation, especially for solo practitioners
- Feeling more comfortable in discussing challenges and ethical issues due to the structure and purpose of the group
- Increase in professional energy
Potential Risks
- You may not find it beneficial or helpful
- You may experience unwanted/unpleasant emotions or thoughts
- Information may be misconstrued
- You may get unhelpful or even harmful advice
- Other risks commonly experienced in group settings or professional settings
Professional Conduct
It is expected that members will behave professionally and in ways that are not offensive to others, while also providing honest and constructive feedback, as warranted based on the service provided. In order to create a safe space, you agree to adhere to the information below:
- Arrive on time and ready to learn (emergencies or unexpected events are understandable on occasion).
- Vaping/smoking/alcohol use/substance use and similar behaviors are not permissible during the discussion. You should not arrive under the influence.
- Avoid doing other activities during the session (e.g. checking email, texting).
- Share the time and space; avoid dominating the discussion or conversation.
- Make efforts to promote a space that is safe to explore participants' strengths, weaknesses, growth edges, etc.
- Embrace inclusiveness and diversity, including attention to the needs and experiences of marginalized communities, and using inclusive, respectful language.
- Maintain an attitude of openness and curiosity, while understanding that we all have personal perspectives that are guided by our worldview and other contextual factors.
- Be mindful of language choice so as to avoid judgmental, pejorative, and otherwise offensive language when referencing clients, patients, colleagues, peers, etc.
- Strive to be aware of your own biases, attitudes, and privileges and their impact on your work and on others.
- Manage disagreements in respectful and professional ways.
Termination of Services
You understand that Dr. Julia Ryan and Dr. Kelly Weegar will end the relationship with those who cannot abide by the terms and guiding principles in this document or who create an unsafe space, as determined by them. For example, if your behavior is inappropriate, violates professional boundaries, presents a threat to us or our staff/hosts, you will no longer be allowed to participate in consultation services. Similarly, if there is a conflict of interest or an ethical conflict and participation is no longer appropriate, you will be advised of this, although the details of the conflict may not be shared in order to protect client/patient privacy and legally protected information.
Confidentiality & Privacy
PHIPA applies to case discussions and consultations. The content of consultation sessions will be held in confidence in accordance with the law and ethical guidelines.
Therefore, we still utilize methods to ensure privacy of our services and require your agreement to protect the privacy of your clients and the other clients being discussed.
Your responsibility to privacy, confidentiality and other ethical standards
You agree to keep the confidentiality of others unless otherwise required to disclose by law/ethics.
You agree not to audio record, video record, or otherwise record any part of consultations or professional development service, except for note-taking specific to professional learning/content while ensuring confidentiality of participants, unless otherwise required by law.
You agree that you will obtain verbal consent from your client prior to bringing them for a case consultation. You will make every effort to avoid sharing identifiable client information. You will only disclose the information that is absolutely necessary to address the topic or issue at hand. This includes avoiding things like mentions of their employer or specific profession-related information, a specific review they left online, etc. If your case discussion requires you to share identifiable details, you will obtain and provide a signed release of information/written consent from your patient.
You understand that if you or a group member becomes aware that they know or have a prior relationship with the presented client(s), or if there is a potential conflict of interest in any relationship with us/our designees, you will make the relevant parties aware or, based on the most ethical approach, will excuse yourself from the discussion.
Limits to Confidentiality
If you provide identifiable information about a situation where there is an ethical or legal obligation to report confidential information, a report must and will be made.
Examples of situations where information from consultation services may be released include:
- (a) If you release us in writing to share information for specific purposes;
- (b) if we receive a court order requiring release of information;
- (c) if you persist in actions that we have advised are ethically or legally potentially actionable (we reserve the right at this time to report you to regulatory or ethical authorities, and to terminate services);
- (d) if you are an impaired practitioner, we will report you to your licensing authority per legal requirements;
- (e) If Duty to Protect or Mandated Reporting becomes necessary;
- (f) to protect you and others from imminent harm as permissible by law;
- (g) If you bring a complaint against us or our designees (civil/criminal/ disciplinary);
- (h) In the event of situations such as missing persons, or a national or local emergency or disaster, such as a communicable disease investigation, we may disclose information if required or permissible by law or if it is necessary to protect others at high risk for harm.
Records
Records of your registration (information contained in this form) will be kept, along with the general topic of discussion. Beyond the receipt for registration, if you need further verification about your attendance for continuing education credits, please contact julia@drjuliaryan.ca; please allow adequate time to receive a response.
Fees
Enrolment is $1,500 for the year (all 8 sessions, paid in full), or two instalments of $800 (the first collected now at registration, the second due in January). An optional recorded didactic (Parts 1 & 2) is available for an additional $200. No refunds. Your payment is collected on the final page of this form; your spot is not confirmed until payment is completed.
*If you are registering to bring a case, you will receive a case consultation form to complete prior to the session that includes confirmation of verbal or written consent obtained from your client, as needed.
Disruptions to Services, Cancellations, & No-Shows
It is always possible the service could be disrupted in exceptional situations (e.g. extreme illness, accidents, weather events); If a disruption or cancellation is caused by us (e.g. fire alarm goes off in our physical location), you will receive credit for the service or a refund if we are not able to return to the session promptly or reschedule it. We are not able to refund services not attended for disruptions, emergencies, cancellations, etc. that occur on your end.
Liability
You will maintain your own professional liability insurance coverage at all times. Dr. Julia Ryan (and designees)/Dr. Kelly Weegar are not your employer or supervisor, and are not responsible for any acts or omissions in your personal life or professional practice. We also do not guarantee that you will find our services helpful, beneficial, or effective or that they will count toward continuing education requirements and you assume full risk in participating.
For questions or accommodations, please email julia@drjuliaryan.ca