Last Updated: February 13, 2025
Steady Harbour Counselling is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in accordance with Canadian privacy legislation—including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Ontario laws, such as the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal and health information that you voluntarily provide when you:
• Complete contact forms, appointment requests, or other communications on our website.
• Subscribe to newsletters or updates.
• Engage with our online resources or services.
The types of information we collect include your name, email address, telephone number, and other details you choose to provide. In addition, when you interact with our website, we may collect non-personal information (such as your browser type, operating system, and pages visited) through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 5).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for purposes including, but not limited to:
• Responding to your inquiries and providing the services you request.
• Scheduling appointments and managing our therapeutic services. • Communicating with you about updates, changes, or important notices.
• Improving our website and services.
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Your information is processed solely for the purposes for which it was collected, and we do not use it for any unrelated purposes without your consent.
3. Disclosure of Your Information
We may disclose your personal and health information in the following circumstances:
• To trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and managing our practice, provided they agree to keep your information confidential and use it solely for the purposes for which it was disclosed.
• As required by law or regulation, or when necessary to protect our legal rights or comply with legal processes.
• In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, where your information may be transferred as part of the transaction, provided the receiving party agrees to abide by this Privacy Policy.
4. Security of Your Information
We implement a variety of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. While we strive to secure your data, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site traffic, and improve our services. Cookies are small files placed on your device that help us understand your preferences. You may modify your browser settings to decline cookies; however, doing so may affect the functionality of our website.
6. Practice Management Software
To streamline our appointment scheduling and client record management, we use Jane, a secure, cloud-based third-party software. Jane is designed to maintain both your personal and health information in compliance with Ontario and Canadian privacy laws, including PHIPA and PIPEDA. By using our website and services, you acknowledge that your data will be stored and processed through Jane’s platform. For more details about their security and privacy practices, please refer to Jane’s own privacy policy available on their website.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to: • Access and correct the information we hold about you. • Request a copy of your personal information. • Withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal information. • Request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain limitations and legal obligations.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights or have questions about how your information is handled, please contact us using the details provided below.
8. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately so we can take appropriate steps to delete the information.
10. Retention of Your Information
We will retain your personal and health information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. Once the information is no longer needed, it will be securely destroyed or anonymized.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page along with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our data protection practices.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Steady Harbour Counselling
402 Nestleton Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Email: sean@steadyharbour.ca
Telephone: 343-572-1112
By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.