Privacy Policy

Scope of this policy

This policy applies to:

• ·Your use of The Homecoming Space website
• ·Inquiries and consultation requests submitted through the website
• ·Psychotherapy services provided directly through The Homecoming Space
• ·Administrative communications relating to those services

If services are provided through another clinic or organization, that organization may have its own privacy policies and information management practices.

Who is responsible for your information

For services provided directly through The Homecoming Space, Angeli Sareen, MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker, is responsible for the personal information and personal health information within the practice’s custody or control.

Questions, privacy requests, or concerns may be directed to:

Information that may be collected

The information collected depends on how you interact with the practice.

Information submitted through the website

When you request a consultation or contact The Homecoming Space, you may provide:

• ·Your name
• ·Your email address
• ·Your telephone number
• ·Brief, general information about the support you are seeking
• ·Any other information you choose to include

You are not required to share your full story through the contact form. Please avoid including detailed, urgent, or highly sensitive personal health information. More information can be discussed during your consultation.

Information collected when services begin

If you become a client, additional information may be collected as required to provide safe and appropriate services, including:

• ·Contact and identifying information
• ·Relevant personal and health history
• ·Therapy goals and clinical information
• ·Appointment and communication records
• ·Consent forms and service agreements
• ·Billing, payment, and insurance receipt information
• ·Clinical notes and other records required by professional standards

The collection and use of this information will also be explained through the informed consent process before therapy begins.

Website and technical information

The website and its hosting or security providers may automatically collect limited technical information, such as:

• ·Internet Protocol address
• ·Browser and device type
• ·Pages visited and date and time of access
• ·Referring website
• ·Security and error logs
• ·Essential cookie information

This information may be used to operate, protect, and improve the website.

How your information is used

Personal information and personal health information may be used to:

• ·Respond to your inquiry and arrange a complimentary consultation
• ·Determine whether the services offered are an appropriate fit
• ·Schedule and manage appointments
• ·Assess your needs and provide psychotherapy services
• ·Communicate with you about your care
• ·Process payments and provide insurance receipts
• ·Maintain clinical and administrative records
• ·Meet professional, ethical, legal, and regulatory obligations
• ·Protect the privacy and security of the website and practice
• ·Respond to privacy, access, or correction requests

Your information will not be sold or rented.

Consent

The Homecoming Space obtains consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information and personal health information, except where collection, use, or disclosure is permitted or required by law.

By submitting information through the website, you consent to the collection and use of that information for the purpose of responding to your inquiry and arranging a consultation.

Implied consent may be relied on where permitted for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information needed to provide or assist in providing health care. Express consent will be obtained where required, including certain disclosures to a person or organization that is not a health information custodian, or for a purpose unrelated to providing health care.

You may withhold or withdraw consent at any time by contacting The Homecoming Space. Withdrawing consent will not affect information that was previously collected, used, or disclosed with your consent. Some information may still need to be retained or used where required or permitted by law or professional standards.

Where an individual is not capable of providing consent, an authorized substitute decision maker may make decisions on their behalf as permitted by law.

When information may be shared

Personal information and personal health information will not be shared without consent unless disclosure is permitted or required by law. Information may be shared:

• ·With service providers supporting website hosting, form processing, email, scheduling, payments, record keeping, or virtual care
• ·With another health care provider when you have provided consent or when otherwise permitted by law for health care purposes
• ·When required by a court order, warrant, or other legal process
• ·When required by child protection or other mandatory reporting legislation
• ·When permitted or required to address a significant risk of serious bodily harm
• ·With the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or another authority when legally required

Only information that is reasonably necessary will be disclosed. Limits to confidentiality that apply to psychotherapy services will be discussed during the informed consent process.

Service providers and storage location

The Homecoming Space may use third party service providers for website hosting, form processing, email, scheduling, virtual sessions, payment processing, clinical record storage, and business administration. These providers may process information on behalf of The Homecoming Space.

Providers that store client information or clinical records are selected and configured so that the information is stored in a jurisdiction where privacy laws are consistent with Ontario law or applicable Canadian federal privacy law, as required by College standards for virtual practice.

Limited website technical information may be processed outside Canada by website hosting or security providers. When information is processed in another jurisdiction, it may be subject to the laws of that jurisdiction. The Homecoming Space remains responsible for personal health information within its custody or control.

Safeguarding your information

Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are used to protect information against theft, loss, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, modification, or disposal. Safeguards may include:

• ·Password protected systems and access controls
• ·Encryption where available and appropriate
• ·Secure clinical record systems
• ·Confidentiality obligations for service providers
• ·Limited access to information
• ·Secure backup and disposal practices
• ·Regular review of privacy and security procedures

No website, online form, email service, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Please do not use the website form to send detailed or urgent clinical information.

Privacy breaches

If personal health information is stolen, lost, or accessed, used, or disclosed without authority, The Homecoming Space will take reasonable steps to contain and investigate the incident, reduce the risk of further harm, and notify affected individuals and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario where required by law.

Retention and secure disposal

Client records are stored and preserved for at least ten years from the date of the last entry. If a client was under eighteen years of age on the date of the last entry, the record is stored for at least ten years from the day the client became, or would have become, eighteen. Records may be kept longer where required by law or where reasonably necessary in accordance with College standards.

An inquiry that does not result in services will generally be retained for no longer than twelve months after the last contact, unless it must be retained longer for a legal, regulatory, or legitimate administrative reason. If an inquiry becomes part of a client record, it will be retained as part of that record.

When information is no longer required and the applicable retention period has ended, it is securely deleted, destroyed, or anonymized in a manner that protects confidentiality.

Accessing or correcting your information

You may request access to personal information or personal health information held about you. You may also request that inaccurate or incomplete information be corrected.

Requests can be sent to angelisareen.msw@gmail.com. Access or correction may be limited in circumstances permitted by law. If a request cannot be fulfilled, an explanation and information about available recourse will be provided where required.

Cookies

The website may use essential cookies and similar technologies required for website operation, security, and performance. If optional analytics, advertising, or marketing technologies are introduced, this policy will be updated and visitors will be offered a choice where required.

You can adjust cookie settings through your browser. Disabling essential cookies may affect how parts of the website function.

External websites

The website may contain links to external websites or resources. The Homecoming Space is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third party websites. You are encouraged to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Privacy concerns and complaints

If you have a question or concern about how your information has been handled, please contact:

Every effort will be made to respond to your concern and address it appropriately.

You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:

Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes to the practice, technology, service providers, or legal and professional requirements. The current version and effective date will always be posted on this page.