Privacy Policy

Introduction

Toronto Psychology Clinic (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal and personal health information (PHI) of our clients, in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) of Ontario and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit our website or engage in our services.

Scope

This Privacy Policy, combined with the Terms and Conditions posted on our website, applies to all personal information collected through our website, in person, by phone, by email, or through electronic forms, including any third-party booking or telehealth platforms we may use.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

  • Personal Health Information (PHI): Name, date of birth, contact information, health history, mental health concerns, and other information relevant to the provision of care.
  • General Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and other details voluntarily submitted via our website’s contact forms or newsletter sign-ups.
  • Website Usage Information: When you visit our website, we may collect non-personally-identifying information, such as browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visit or request. This information is collected to better understand how visitors interact with our website. Toronto Psychology Clinic may occasionally release aggregated, non-personally-identifying information to illustrate usage trends. Additionally, we collect potentially personally-identifying information, including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, for logged-in users and those leaving comments on our blog posts. This information is disclosed under the same circumstances as personally-identifying information, as described below.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide mental health services and clinical care.
  • Respond to inquiries and manage appointments.
  • Process billing and payments.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Improve our website and services.

We collect, use, and share your personal information only with your consent, unless the law allows or requires us to do otherwise

Disclosure of Information

Toronto Psychology Clinic only discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information to employees, contractors, and affiliated organizations that require it for processing or providing services on our behalf. By using our website, you consent to the transfer of such information to locations outside your home country.

We do not rent or sell potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information to third parties. Disclosure may occur in response to a subpoena, court order, governmental request, or if we believe it is necessary to protect our rights or property.

If you are a registered user and have provided your email address, we may occasionally send you emails related to new features, feedback requests, or updates. Requests sent to us may be published to assist others, and we take measures to protect against unauthorized access or use.

Safeguarding Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information using administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including:

  • Secure electronic health records.
  • Encrypted email communication.
  • Staff training on privacy and confidentiality.
  • Secure website hosting and data storage.

While Toronto Psychology Clinic employs commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, it is important to note that no transmission method over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We strive to maintain the security of your Personal Information, and this Privacy Policy was developed in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004  (“PHIPA”), and considering Alberta’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (“PIPA”), but absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access and correct your personal health information.
  • Withdraw consent (subject to legal or contractual restrictions).
  • Ask how your information has been used and shared.

To make such a request, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact information below.

Retention of Information

We retain personal health information as required under PHIPA and PIPEDA  and other applicable regulations, generally at least 10 years after the last contact or until a minor client turns 18.

External Links

Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We advise reviewing the Privacy Policy and terms and conditions of each visited site, as we have no control over their content or practices.

Aggregated Statistics

Toronto Psychology Clinic may collect and publicly display statistics about website visitor behavior, ensuring that personally-identifying information remains confidential.

Cookies and Third-Party Services

Cookies

To enhance your online experience, Toronto Psychology Clinic uses cookies to identify and track visitors and store preferences. Visitors not wishing to have cookies placed on their computers can adjust their browser settings, but some website features may be compromised without cookies.

By continuing to use our website without changing your cookie settings, you acknowledge and agree to Toronto Psychology Clinic’s use of cookies.

Advertisements

Ads displayed on our website may be served by advertising partners, utilizing cookies to recognize your computer for targeted advertising. This Privacy Policy covers Toronto Psychology Clinic’s use of cookies but does not extend to advertisers’ use.

Google AdWords Remarketing

www.torontopsychology.com uses Google AdWords for remarketing, delivering ads to previous website visitors on third-party platforms. Advertisers, including Google, use cookies to tailor ads based on past visits. Your data is handled in accordance with both our privacy policy and Google’s privacy policy.

You can manage your ad preferences through the Google Ad Preferences page and opt-out of interest-based advertising via cookie settings or browser plugins.

Google Analytics

www.torontopsychology.com uses Google Analytics to monitor and analyze use of our online properties and services, including but not limited to tracking page visits and online bookings. Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Your data is handled in accordance with both our privacy policy and Google’s privacy policy.

You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy 

Use of Data for Market Research

We may use de-identified or aggregated information to conduct market research for the purpose of improving our services, understanding client needs, and planning future offerings. This is done in accordance with PHIPA, PIPEDA, and relevant professional ethical guidelines.

Examples of market research activities include:

  • Analyzing website usage patterns to better understand visitor interests or navigation behavior.
  • Reviewing anonymous feedback to improve clinic operations or develop new services.
  • Assessing demand for specific services (e.g., group therapy, workshops) based on aggregated inquiry data.

Privacy Safeguards:

  • No Personal Health Information Used: We do not use or disclose identifiable personal health information (PHI) for market research purposes.
  • Anonymization: All data used for research purposes is either de-identified or aggregated, ensuring individuals cannot be identified.
  • Voluntary Participation: If any market research involves direct input from clients (e.g., surveys or interviews), participation is entirely voluntary and consent-based.

The goal of market research is strictly to improve the quality, accessibility, and relevance of our services—not for commercial resale or third-party marketing.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in limited, non-clinical contexts to support administrative efficiency and enhance user experience, such as scheduling, document management, and general inquiries. This may include:

  • Automated responses to website inquiries or appointment requests.
  • Intelligent scheduling tools or reminders.
  • Data analytics for service planning or performance improvement.

Key AI Principles:

  • No Clinical Decision-Making: AI tools are not used to diagnose, treat, or assess mental health conditions. All clinical decisions are made solely by licensed professionals.
  • Privacy and Security: Any AI technologies we use are selected with privacy in mind and we ensure that they do not process or store any personal health information (PHI),  comply with privacy laws and data protection best practices, and are regularly reviewed for accuracy, security, and ethical considerations.
  • Human Oversight: Our staff oversee all AI-assisted processes to ensure accuracy, appropriateness, and respect for client rights.

Contact Information of Privacy Officer

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a request regarding your information, please contact:

Privacy Officer: Dr. Saunia Ahmad
Toronto Psychology Clinic
2 Carlton St., Suite 1803, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1J3

Email: sahmad@torontopsychology.com
Phone: 416-551-1759 ext.4

Updates to This Policy

Toronto Psychology Clinic reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at its discretion. While most changes may be minor, we encourage visitors to regularly check this page for updates. Continued use of our site after any changes indicate acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.