Practice Policies
Prior to your first session, you will be given a consent form detailing the practice policies. In addition to information provided in that form, an extensive list of our practice policies are listed below in an effort to provide transparency. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns to speak with our Care Coordinator
"Although the world is full of suffering,
it is also full of the overcoming of it"
- Helen Keller
About Counselling
An effective counselling relationship works, in part, because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. This frame helps to create the safety to take risks and the support to become empowered to change. As a client in counselling, you have certain rights that are important for you to know about. There are also certain limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. As Registered Psychotherapist, we have corresponding responsibilities to you.
Confidentiality
Our clinic and our therapists will make every effort to keep your personal information private. If you wish to have information released, you will be required to formally indicate your consent before such information will be shared. There are some limitations to confidentiality of which you need to be aware. All therapists are required by law to release information when the client poses a risk to themselves or others and in cases of abuse to children or the elderly. If our clinic receives a court order or subpoena, they may be required to release some information. In such cases, our therapists will consult with a legal professional and limit the release to only what is necessary by law.
At our practice, anyone 12 years of age or older, provided they are able, may provide consent for their own treatment. Parents or guardians to anyone under the age of 18 may not be provided any information from client sessions by the therapist or any other member of the practice staff.
Our therapists and clinic will not get involved in specific family court matters and custody disputes.
Group therapy is subject to the same confidentiality policy as individual therapy, relationship or family therapy sessions. What is discussed or shared by yourself or others during group therapy sessions is expected to remain within the confidence of the group.
The Journey Counselling and Psychotherapy will not tolerate disrespect or abuse of any kind toward its staff. All threats, verbal or otherwise, will be taken seriously and addressed immediately. Should the need arise, a report will be made to the police, services will end, and your file will be closed.
Nature of the Therapeutic Relationship
Our therapists and clinic staff can have no role in your life other than the one we play as your mental health support team. We cannot have any other role in your life. We cannot, now or ever, be a close friend or socialize with any of our clients. We cannot be a therapist to some who is a friend or family member. We cannot engage in sexual or romantic relationships with any clients during, or after the course of therapy. We cannot have a business relationship with clients other than the therapy relationship.
If you happen to see your therapist in public, we will respect your privacy and will not acknowledge you, or in any way disclose the fact that you are a client. However, you are free to acknowledge your therapist (which we will reciprocate if you initiate), and you are also free to disclose the fact that you are a client to people you wish to share that information with.
Session Fees
Your session fees will be discussed during your connection call. Please see the Services tab for more information.
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Sliding scale rates are available on a limited basis. If you are in need of a sliding scale, please inquire with your therapist during your connection call or with our care coordinator.
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Your therapist may periodically recommend adjusting your session length to better support your needs. Any changes will be discussed with you in advance, and fees will be adjusted accordingly.
Payments must be made by credit card. Clients are to upload their credit card information to the client portal prior to their first session. Outstanding payments will result in the suspension of future sessions. Overdue invoices will accrue a service fee of $15 per week, to a maximum of $50 per month.
Outstanding invoices are sent to a third party for payment collection after a reasonable amount of time has passed after the unpaid session. Attempts to collect payment from the client will be made prior to this step occurring.
Late Cancellation or Missed Appointments
Missed appointments and cancellations with less than 48-hours' notice, are subject to the full session fee. In addition, you are responsible for coming to your session on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late to a session, your session time will be considered a no-show, and you will be charged for a missed appointment.
Phone Calls, Email and Video Communications
For your session, you will be given access to a unique client portal log in. Through the client portal, you will access a secure videoconferencing line for your sessions. Phone call may be used as an alternative in situations where the internet or client portal server is down.
For all video and phone sessions, please ensure that you have a good connection/ reception. For your privacy and to receive the most benefit from your sessions, please ensure that you have a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable and will not be interrupted or overheard during session.
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Clients must not be driving during sessions.
Request for Documents or External Communications
Any requests for documents, communication beyond your session time or external communication is subject to a prorated fee based on your hourly session fee. Documents may include, but are not limited to, emails requiring a response time of more than 10 minutes, letters, filling out forms, and case summaries. Communication beyond your session time may include, but is not limited to, requesting additional communication with our Care Coordinator or Practice Director by phone or email. External communication may include, but is not limited to, communication with other professionals at your request.
Google Review Policy
This policy is intended to cover all Google Reviews, or any other reviews left in public forums (including social media).
As per the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Registered Psychotherapists are unable to solicit public reviews or feedback from clients. This includes google reviews, testimonials, etc.
Clients are permitted to leave public reviews about the therapist or the practice that they received treatment from. It is important to note that these reviews are public and thus cannot be kept confidential. Anything you post may identify you as a client.
Our practice will respond to all public reviews regardless of the rating or the comment used in a way acknowledges the review while protecting the confidentiality of the client.
Negative reviews may be addressed privately with the client to speak to concerns in a confidential manner.
To adhere to confidentiality, spam reviews will be acknowledged and responded to in a way that identifies them as spam while not explicitly revealing they are not clients.
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