Confidentiality

 

Information shared with or given to your clinician is kept confidential and is not shared with third parties (e.g., teachers) without signed permission. There are situations where an individual’s right to confidentiality is limited by legal or ethical obligations according to legislation and as regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

 

The limits to confidentiality include the following:

 

The client displays a clear intent to harm themselves or someone else

There is reason to suspect that a child (under the age of 18) is or may be in need of protection. The Children’s Aid Society must be contacted if there is any reason to suspect that a child has been, or is at risk of being, physically harmed, sexually abused, emotionally abused, or chronically neglected.

A client reveals that they have been sexually abused by a regulated health professional

A court of law subpoenas a client’s records

 

Privacy

 

Kitchener Psychology Centre is committed to collecting, using, and disclosing your personal information responsibly, as per Privacy legislation. Your clinician will go over the privacy policy with you in the first session.

 

Your clinician collects only information that is relevant to your care. Your information will not be shared with anyone without written consent. Client files are kept secure and client storage, retention, and destruction complies with privacy legislation and with the regulations set forth by the College of Psychologists. Child psychology files are kept for 10 years past the child’s 18th birthday, at which point the file is securely destroyed. For individuals over the age of 18, files are kept for 10 years following their last appointment.