PRIVACY POLICY
Ms. Siren Busch, C. Psych. values your privacy both as a visitor to our website and as a client receiving psychological services. This Privacy Policy has two parts:
Privacy Online – explains how we handle information collected when you visit our website.
Privacy in Psychological Services – explains how we handle personal and health information if you are a client receiving psychological services.
Privacy Online (for Website Visitors Only)
When you visit our website (sirenbusch.ca), we may collect limited information to help the site function properly and to improve your browsing experience. This section explains what information is collected online and how it is used.
Cookies and Website Data
- Essential cookies: These are required for the website to function correctly (e.g., security, navigation, basic features). They do not collect personal health information.
- Analytics cookies: We may use tools such as Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. This helps us improve design, content, and accessibility. Information collected is general (e.g., pages visited, time on site, browser type) and is not linked to your identity.
- Managing cookies: You can control or disable cookies in your browser settings at any time. Please note that some parts of the site may not function properly without essential cookies.
Personal Information Submitted Online
If you contact us through a web form or email, we may collect your name, email, phone number, and any details you choose to share. This information is used only to respond to your inquiry and is not shared or sold to third parties.
Third-Party Services
Our website may link to external services (e.g., booking platforms, Google Maps). These services may have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review if you interact with them.
Security of Online Data
We take reasonable steps to keep information shared online secure. However, please note that email and web forms are not always fully encrypted. For sensitive or urgent matters, we encourage you to contact us by phone.
Privacy in Psychological Services
Your Privacy Is Important
Ms. Siren Busch, C. Psych. will collect personal health information in the process of providing psychological services. Ms. Siren Busch, C. Psych. only collects information that is needed to provide the psychological services that have been requested and/or an individual has been referred for, e.g. service planning and monitoring, record keeping, billing and/or to offset a harm. Ms. Siren Busch, C. Psych. may involve other individuals who may, in the course of their duties, have limited access to my personal information. These may include computer consultants, lawyers, bookkeepers and/or accounts, who are trained in the need for privacy and confidentiality. These individuals will only have access to information necessary, e..g those involved in billing will only access information needed for this purpose and are not allowed to access other information.
Ms. Siren Busch cares deeply about your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information. At times it is necessary for others to have limited access to personal information, which may include bookkeepers/accountants, insurance companies, credit card companies, and lawyers. This document explains how I collect, use, and protect your information, and your rights as a client receiving psychological services from me.
Personal Information and Personal Health Information (PHI)
Personal Information and Personal Health Information is collected throughout the provision of psychological services. This is referring to any information that identifies you and relates to your health and/or the care you receive, which may include (but is not limited to):
- Your name, contact information, date of birth, and other personal details, e.g. an emergency contact
- Your health physical and mental health history, medical records
- Any diagnosis, and treatment recommendations and plans
- Progress notes and results from assessments
- Billing information, insurance claims, and payment details
All this information is protected by law under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
How is my information utilized?
Ms. Siren Busch collects and uses the information that is necessary to offer you psychological services. This may pertain to but is not limited to understanding your concerns and symptoms, provide treatment recommendations, implement treatment, monitor progress, and make informed treatment decisions. Further Ms. Siren Busch may need to contact you regrind appointment scheduling, bilingual and/or record requests.
Limits of Confidentiality and Release of Information
With only a few exceptions, my personal health information will not be disclosed to persons outside of Ms. Siren Busch’s psychological practice without my knowledge and expressed consent. Please see below the exceptions when psychological providers are legally obligated to break confidentiality and will disclose information:
- When a psychologist suspects or is informed of imminent danger or serious risk to myself or another person, or when I might be in immediate danger because of someone else.
- When a psychologist suspects or is informed that a child or youth under the age of 19 may be at risk of harm and/or neglect.
- When a psychologist is informed of or suspects harm, abuse, neglect and/or mistreatment of someone in a long-term care facility or retirement home.
- When a psychologist is informed of or suspects that a regulated health care professional may have sexually abused, sexually assaulted and/or sexually harassed a patient (past or present), the psychologist must report that practitioner to his or her own regulator body.
- If a court of law or the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario orders a psychologist to release information.
- If a request under the Missing Person Act is made, a psychologist will comply with efforts to relocate the person.
Consent
Ms. Siren Busch will obtain your consent during the first session usually. At that time, she will review with you the potential risks and benefits of participating in a psychological assessment or psychological treatment, review the limits of confidentiality and any other relevant important information. You may of course decide at a later time to withdraw your consent.
How is my information protected?
Ms. Siren Busch, C. Psych. uses a hybrid system with handwritten notes that are stored in locked filing cabinets and a secure, online program to manage client files and information. This system meets the strict guidelines for collecting and storing personal health information set out by the personal health information protection act (PHIPA, 2004) and the personal information protection and electronic documents act (PIPEDA, 2011), which governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information.
Accessing Your File
Of course, you have the right to review your file/health record. If you would like to review your file, get a copy or believe that a factual error has been made that you would like to correct, please, contact Siren Busch via email or secure message. In most cases, you will receive a response within 30 days.
Please also note that your records are being kept for 10 years after your last contact with Ms. Siren Busch, which is a requirement. Subsequently your records (paper files and digital files) will be destroyed.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions, want to access your file, or feel your privacy has been compromised, please contact Ms. Siren Busch, email: siren@sirenbusch.ca, who will assist you. Please also feel free to contact her with any questions you may have. You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario: https://www.ipc.on.ca.