Privacy Policy
Inner Wisdom Therapies
Effective Date: November 1, 2026
At Inner Wisdom Therapies, your privacy matters. Seeking therapy often involves sharing deeply personal information, and I take my responsibility to protect that information seriously.
As a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), I am committed to maintaining confidentiality and protecting your personal information in accordance with professional standards and applicable privacy legislation, including Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
1. Information I Collect
When you visit my website, inquire about services, or become a client, I may collect:
Your name, email address, phone number, and contact preferences.
Information you voluntarily share through contact forms, consultation requests, or booking systems.
Personal health information relevant to the provision of psychotherapy, including intake forms, clinical notes, and treatment records.
Billing and payment information.
Technical website information, such as browser type, website activity, and cookies, where applicable.
I collect only the information reasonably necessary to respond to inquiries, provide services, maintain records, and operate my practice.
2. How Your Information Is Used
Your information may be used to:
Respond to inquiries and schedule consultations or appointments.
Provide psychotherapy and related professional services.
Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records.
Process payments and issue receipts.
Communicate important information about your care.
Meet professional, ethical, and legal obligations.
I do not sell your personal information.
I do not use your clinical information for advertising or marketing purposes.
3. Confidentiality and Its Limits
Information shared during psychotherapy is confidential and will not be disclosed without your consent unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
There are specific legal and professional limits to confidentiality, which may include concerns involving serious risk of harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, court orders, or other legally mandated disclosures.
These limitations are explained in more detail during the informed consent process before therapy begins.
4. Storage and Security
I use appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal and clinical information against unauthorized access, loss, disclosure, or misuse.
Electronic client records are managed through Jane, a practice management platform. Access to clinical information is restricted to authorized individuals who require it for legitimate purposes.
Electronic communications and virtual appointments involve some inherent privacy risks. While reasonable precautions are taken, no electronic system or communication method can be guaranteed completely secure.
5. Website Forms and Communication
When you submit an inquiry through my website or a Google advertisement, the information you provide is used to respond to your request and help determine next steps.
Submitting a form does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
Please avoid sharing detailed or sensitive personal health information through general website forms or regular email.
Email and electronic communications may not be fully secure. More secure methods of communication may be offered when appropriate.
6. Cookies, Analytics, and Advertising
My website may use cookies and third-party services to understand website traffic, improve functionality, and evaluate advertising effectiveness.
These services may collect technical information about your interaction with the website.
I do not intentionally provide therapy records or sensitive clinical information to advertising platforms. Where applicable, visitors can manage cookies through their browser settings or available website privacy controls.
7. Third-Party Service Providers
I may use third-party technology providers for website hosting, appointment scheduling, virtual appointments, payment processing, and administrative functions.
These services may process information necessary to perform their functions and are subject to applicable privacy and security requirements.
Personal health information is handled in accordance with Ontario privacy legislation and professional confidentiality obligations.
8. Retention of Clinical Records
In accordance with OCSWSSW Standards of Practice, clinical records are retained for at least 10 years following the last entry in the client record.
For clients who were under 18 at the time of the last entry, records are retained for at least 10 years after the date they turn, or would have turned, 18.
Records may be retained longer where legally required or professionally necessary and are securely disposed of when eligible for destruction.
9. Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You have the right to request access to your personal health information and to request corrections where information is inaccurate or incomplete, subject to applicable legal exceptions.
Requests may be directed to me using the contact information below. I will respond in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and professional standards.
10. Privacy Concerns and Complaints
If you have questions or concerns about how your information is collected, used, stored, or disclosed, please contact me directly.
You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario regarding concerns covered by PHIPA.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Website: www.ipc.on.ca
Telephone: 1-800-387-0073
11. Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in legislation, professional standards, technology, or practice operations. The most current version will be available on this website.
Contact Information
Inner Wisdom Therapies
Kelsey Beson, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist
Burlington, Ontario
Website: www.inner-wisdom-therapies.ca
Privacy inquiries: inner.wisdom.therapies.kelsey@gmail.com