Consent for Registration
Service Information
You are registering for a parent support and skills group. The group is intended to provide psychoeducation, practical strategies, facilitated discussion, and peer support related to parenting and supporting neurodivergent children and teens.
The facilitator's role is to provide information, facilitate group discussion, and support appropriate participation within the group. The group is not intended to provide individual or family psychotherapy, psychological assessment, diagnosis, or individualized treatment.
A student trainee may be present at group sessions, supervised by Louise. Their role is to provide technical support for the virtual platform and to observe the group as part of their supervised clinical training. They do not provide clinical services, and they are not responsible for facilitating the group. If you have questions or concerns about the trainee's presence, please contact us at julia@drjuliaryan.ca before registering so we can discuss them with you.
Services will be provided in accordance with applicable professional, ethical, and regulatory standards.
Risks and Benefits
Potential benefits of participation may include increased understanding of neurodivergence and related parenting challenges, learning practical strategies, gaining perspective and insight, and receiving support and shared learning from other group members.
As with any group-based service, participation may involve potential risks, including:
- Experiencing uncomfortable emotions or distress in response to topics discussed.
- Hearing about the experiences or challenges of other group members.
- Differences of opinion, interpersonal tension, or conflict between group members.
- The possibility that information shared within the group may be disclosed by another participant despite expectations of confidentiality (see Section 3).
- Group discussion may not address individual circumstances or needs in the same way that individual services would.
Participation is voluntary. You may withdraw from the group at any time by informing the facilitator. Withdrawal from the group will not affect your ability to seek other services.
Confidentiality
As a regulated health professional, your facilitator must protect the confidentiality of your personal health information. For this group to be a safe space, all members must agree to maintain the confidentiality of all other members.
By signing this form, you agree to keep the identity of other group members and the personal information they share within the group strictly confidential. You agree not to discuss any information shared by group members with anyone outside of the group, including family, friends, or on social media.
There are specific, limited situations where the law requires a facilitator to break confidentiality, with or without your consent. These include:
- Reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is in need of protection due to abuse or neglect.
- Disclosure of information that indicates a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else.
- Report of sexual abuse by a regulated health professional.
- For the purpose of an investigation or quality assurance review by a regulatory body (e.g., CRPO, OCSWSSW).
Please be aware that while your facilitator is legally bound to confidentiality, group members are not. Your facilitator cannot guarantee that other members will protect your privacy. While we create a strong agreement and culture of trust, you must be mindful of what you choose to share, knowing that absolute confidentiality from other members cannot be assured.
The student trainee is bound by the same confidentiality obligations described in this section, and their work is overseen by their supervisor, who is responsible for the services provided. The trainee will have access to your personal health information for the purposes described above. Group content may be discussed in supervision meetings between the trainee and their supervisor for training purposes; these discussions are confidential and are subject to the same limits set out above.
Group Participation and Expectations
To create a safe and effective environment, all members agree to the following:
- Treat all members with respect, even when you disagree. Listen actively and avoid judgment.
- Speak from your own experience using "I" statements (e.g., "I feel..." instead of "You made me feel...").
- Share what is comfortable for you. You have the right to "pass" or choose not to speak on any topic.
- Do not give unsolicited advice. Share your own experiences when they are relevant.
- Please arrive on time.
Virtual Group Participation
Please participate from a private, secure space where others cannot see or hear the session to protect the privacy of all members. Recording of sessions is strictly prohibited. Your facilitator will choose a virtual platform that maximizes privacy and confidentiality, ease of joining and navigating group dynamics, and convenience.
Record Keeping
A brief record of your attendance and the topics discussed in the group will be maintained with Julia Ryan Psychology. In a group setting, notes are generalized to protect the privacy of all members.
Refunds and Cancellations
There will be no refunds for any withdrawals or cancellations within 48 hours of the first scheduled session.