Last Updated: February 3, 2026
At Sacred Stories Psychotherapy (“we”, “us, “our”), we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal health information in compliance with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA). By accessing our website or utilizing our services, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
Information Collected
Personal Information: We may collect personal information, such as your name, contact details, and other relevant details necessary for providing psychotherapy services.
Usage Information: We gather general usage information about visitors’ interactions with our site, such as IP address, browser information, and pages they view. This helps us enhance our website and services.
How Information is Used
Personal health information (PHI) is used for the sole purpose of the following:
- Providing psychotherapy services
- Communicating with you regarding upcoming appointments, invoices, updates and/or relevant information
- Non-PHI (e.g. website analytics) is used to improve the overall experience of the website.
- Billing and insurance claims (with your prior consent).
- Your personal health information is never sold for marketing purposes
Consent and Withdrawal
Implied consent: By providing PHI, you consent to its use for psychotherapy services and billing purposes
Expressed Consent: Written consent is required for sharing personal health information with non-treating providers(e.g. insureres, lawyers).
Storage and Data Security
Physical: Any physical file is stored in a locked filing cabinet when not in use
Technical: An electronic file is created for each client that includes your personal information and counselling notes. This file will be stored in a secure, encrypted, password-protected electronic documentation system called Jane App. Jane App is a platform compliant with Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This platform utilizes encryption and other security measures to protect your privacy.
Breach Protocol: Any PHI breaches will be reported to you and the Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) within required timelines (PHIPA S.12 (2))
Retention and Destruction
In accordance with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario Record-Keeping & Documentation Standard, files are retained for 10 years, or for 10 years after your 18th birthday, whichever is applicable.
Secure destruction methods (e.g. shredding, digital wiping) are used when personal health information is no longer needed.
Your Rights
Under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, you have the right to:
- Access: Request access to any personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Ask us to correct or update any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Complain: File a complaint with us if you believe we have violated your privacy rights. If we do not resolve your concern to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update the Privacy Policy described above. Any changes made will be effective upon posting the updated policy on our website.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at edwardsackey@sacredstoriespsychotherapy.com