Informed Consent:
Below is some important information for you to understand the process, nature, risks, and benefits of counselling services in order to make an informed decision about participating in them. This information are also available on our websites www.corecentre.ca and www.corecentre.online.
IdealMe Enrichment Foundation in the partnership with Core Centre Inc. is pleased to offer services to youth and adults through distance delivery (“virtual services”, “telecounselling”, Telepsychology, Teletherapy) – either via videoconferencing or telephone. The platform that we are using is Zoom and Google Meet that are a third- party video communication service that uses industry standard privacy and security measures. For additional information regarding their privacy standards and tips on privacy, visit the following link: https://zoom.us/privacy. Your informed consent is needed to provide our services and to keep records of your personal information. This process informs you of the services we agree to, the records we will keep, and the costs to you. Please ask any questions.
Your First Appointment
During your first appointment your counsellor will discuss the initial consent form with you (attached). This provides you the opportunity to ask questions or express any concerns you might have. The remainder of the session is spent gathering information about your presenting concerns(s) and/or need(s) and exploring expectations of your work together. Counselling appointments are 50 minutes in length.
Virtual Services Definition of Services: Virtual Services (also known as, Telepsychology, Teletherapy) is a form of counselling service provided via secure internet technology. It has the same purpose or intention as counselling sessions that are conducted face-to-face at the offices. Due to the nature of the technology used, Virtual Services may be experienced somewhat differently than face-to-face treatment sessions. Virtual Services involves arranging an appointment time with the client at their computer and the service provider (therapist) interfacing from their computer via the internet.
• Our counsellors use HIPPA compliant video services.
• The client is responsible for securing his or her own computer hardware, internet access points, and password security.
• The company is not liable for confidentiality breaches when they are caused by client error.
• The company is not responsible for their client’s equipment failure, e.g. camera, and/or
• Internet service.
• The company is not responsible for lapses in confidentiality that are in direct response to the client’s actions.
Disconnection Problems: If video services are not available due to an unplanned equipment or service malfunction, sessions will occur via telephone.
Recordings Are Prohibited . Clients are not allowed to make an audio or video recording of any portion of the session.
Client Requirements
Clients who are actively at risk of harm to self or others are not suitable for Virtual Services. If this is the case or becomes the case in future, speak to your counselling provider and more appropriate services will be provided or recommended.
For all Counsellors/Therapists
The Counsellors/Therapists are independent providers who are neither our employees nor agents nor representatives. The Platform’s role is limited to enabling the Counselling/Therapist Services. The Counsellors/Therapists themselves are responsible for the performance of the Services. If you feel the Counsellors/Therapists Services provided by the Counsellors/Therapists do not fit your needs or expectations, you may change to a different Counsellor who provides services through the Platform. If a Counsellors/Therapists you have been connected with stops using the Platform at any time after you have been connected, we will send an email to notify you that your Counsellors/Therapists is no longer on the Platform and that you have the opportunity to match with a new Counsellors/Therapists.
While we hope the Counsellors/Therapists Services are beneficial to you, you understand, agree and acknowledge that they may not be the appropriate solution for everyone’s needs and that they may not be appropriate for every particular situation and/or may not be a complete substitute for a face-to-face examination and/or care in every particular situation.
IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE OR IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS OR IF YOU FEEL THAT ANY OTHER PERSON MAY BE IN ANY DANGER OR IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER AND NOTIFY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES. THE PLATFORM IS NOT DESIGNED FOR USE IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CASES AND THE COUNSELLOR/THERAPISTS CANNOT PROVIDE THE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CASES.
THE PLATFORM IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE PROVISION OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS REQUIRING AN IN-PERSON EVALUATION AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT IF YOU NEED ANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION OR APPROVALS FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COURT-ORDERED THERAPY OR EMOTIONAL SERVICE DOG CERTIFICATION. IT IS ALSO NOT INTENDED FOR ANY INFORMATION REGARDING WHICH DRUGS OR MEDICAL TREATMENT MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU, AND YOU SHOULD DISREGARD ANY SUCH ADVICE IF DELIVERED THROUGH THE PLATFORM. DO NOT DISREGARD, AVOID, OR DELAY IN OBTAINING IN-PERSON CARE FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR OTHER QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE OF INFORMATION OR ADVICE YOU RECEIVED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.
Risks and Rights in using Virtual Services
1. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. It will not affect your right to further treatment.
2. The therapist has the right, at any time, to determine if Virtual Services sessions are not appropriate for your case. Should this be determined, they are obliged to continue with face-to-face services or provide referral information to other services.
3. The laws and professional standards that apply to regular counselling services apply to Virtual Services.
4. There are exceptions to client confidentiality policies that exist for regular counselling/therapy; these also apply to Virtual Services. If you need more information on such exceptions, please consult with your counsellor.
5. Despite best efforts to ensure high encryption and secure technology, there is always a risk that the transmission be breached and accessed by unauthorized persons.
6. There is a risk that services could be disrupted or distorted by unforeseen technical problems.
7. There is a risk of being overheard by anyone near you if you do not place yourself in a private room. You, the client, are responsible for creating a comfortable safe environment on your end of the transmission. It is the responsibility of the provider to do the same on their end.
8. Due to the nature of the interaction, there may be quality differences that are experienced when compared to face-to-face services. You may provide feedback to your counsellor should you find the quality insufficient for your needs.
Who Can Access Your Information and How it is Stored
All client files are stored in the secure electronic database. Administrative support staff have access to initial documents completed upon entry into counselling, but cannot access details about client’s sessions. Our administrative assistants are bound by an oath of confidentiality and never have the right to release client’s information to anyone other than the counsellors within the agency. Information Technology (IT) has access to the server but does not have access to specific client information. Our filing policy is as follows:
• All files are stored electronically.
• If you are a returning client your former paper file will either continue to be locked in a
filing cabinet, or be scanned into the electronic storage.
• Your file will be closed when you and your counsellor complete services, or if we have
not heard from you after 30 days.
• Psychological record file consists of notes and test protocol forms until later of 10 years after last contact or age 28.
Counselling & Confidentiality
We protect your privacy: We are not allowed to tell people if, or why, you are seeking our services without your consent. However, there are times when the counsellor may not be able to protect your privacy as identified below.
Important Limits to Confidentiality
A. You give us written permission to share details about you to others (e.g., an academic advisor, your doctor). You have the right to change your mind and revoke that permission at any time.
B. We use non-identifying facts about you (e.g.,demographics) to compile statistics that may be used in professional publications and/or presentations.
C. Your counselling file is subpoenaed. We may advocate limiting the information admissible, but the court system has the ultimate right to access your file.
D. You share information that implies; (a) you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or someone else; (b) someone you know may be in danger (e.g., is being abused, threatened, neglected, or is witnessing abuse) such as dependent adult, family member, person under the age of 18, and/or animal; (c) there are criminal activities (past or current) that pose a risk to the safety of people; (d) there is maltreatment of a client by a helping professional.
E. We receive information from a concerned third party (such as security or a friend), or on social media that implies you may be at risk for engaging in behaviors that may threaten your or others’ safety. In such cases, we may need to discuss these concerns with relevant parties. It is important you know our counselling team is very cautious about releasing information about you to others so only the minimal amount of information will be released and recorded in your counselling file. Based on clinical judgment the counsellor may choose not to inform you about information received from third parties.
If you have any questions about these exceptions to your privacy, please ask us — we are devoted to protecting your rights.
Release of Information Forms
Should you or your counsellor wish to discuss your situation with another individual or agency, you will need to complete a release of information form stating who they are allowed to speak with and the type of information they can release. If your counsellor is writing a letter on your behalf, you will have an opportunity to review the letter and may request a copy for your own records. Often you will be expected to take the letter to the other party yourself, as opposed to faxing or mailing options.
Mature Minor
If you are under the age of 18, the law states that your legal guardian(s) may have the right to be informed of the contents of your client file. In this case, your counsellor will take additional steps to protect your privacy. In some cases, your counsellor will be able to determine that you are a mature minor, which means that you will not need consent from your legal guardian(s) to receive therapy. The counsellor will determine your mature minor status based on your understanding of the nature of therapeutic treatment, the risks and benefits to therapy, and your ability to apply your own values when you make decisions. If you are not a mature minor then your counsellor will ask you to get a signature from your legal guardian(s) before your next scheduled session.
Fees and services Our fees are set in accordance with the guidelines put forth by the professional associations and they range from $20 to $500 depending on the service, provider, number of clients and length of the visit.
• An hour of treatment includes 50 minutes of face-to-face contact and 10 minutes for me to document my activities.
• All fees should be paid at the time the service is booked or rendered.
• Fees not paid after 30 days are subject to 5% interest charge indicated on the fee statement. Any accounts that are turned over for collection will include reasonable collection fees.
Canceled appointments
• Any appointment Client cannot keep must be cancelled more than 48 hours before the scheduled time. Cancellations may be made by e-mail or phone call. Clients can also leave a voice message at (647) 515-4357.
• Clients will be billed for an appointment if it is missed or cancelled with less than 48 hours notice.
• Please note: if you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, your session will be cancelled and you will have the opportunity to reschedule. The late cancellation fee will apply.
• Doctor’s note is required to wave these fees.
• Any therapist/counsellor can refuse treatment to anyone for any reason if they do not feel they are adequately equipped to help, or believe that the Client may need a higher level of care. If mental health professional believes that the Client would be better served by another form of psychotherapeutic services, the Client will be referred to an alternate professional or service who can better meet Client’s needs.
• On rare occasions, therapist/counsellor may need to cancel appointment due to a personal, professional or family emergency. In this situation, Core Centre Inc. will try to inform the Client in a timely manner about the cancelation and help the Client to reschedule the appointment and/or transfer Client to another counsellor.
Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU HEREBY RELEASE US AND AGREE TO HOLD US HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CAUSES OF ACTION AND CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE RESULTING FROM THE COUNSELLOR/THERAPISTS SERVICES OR THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING (WITHOUT LIMITATION) ANY ACT, OMISSION, OPINION, RESPONSE, ADVICE, SUGGESTION, INFORMATION AND/OR SERVICE OF ANY THERAPIST AND/OR ANY OTHER CONTENT OR INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE PLATFORM.
YOU UNDERSTAND, AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, SECURITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ACCURACY. THE USE OF THE PLATFORM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
YOU UNDERSTAND, AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.
YOU UNDERSTAND, AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES ARISING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY AND ALL USE OF THE PLATFORM WILL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID BY YOU OR ON YOUR BEHALF THROUGH THE PLATFORM IN THE 12 MONTHS PERIOD PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE CLAIM.
If the applicable law does not allow the limitation of liability as set forth above, the limitation will be deemed modified solely to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law.
This section (limitation of liability) shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Your Subscription
We offer different subscription options that you can choose; including billing that can occur weekly, every (4) four weeks, or quarterly. Any type of subscription you choose will continue and automatically renew until you cancel the membership. By choosing a recurring Membership Service, you acknowledge that such paid services have a recurring payment and you accept responsibility for all recurring charges prior to cancellation.
You can cancel the subscription to the service at any time for any reason. Your membership must be canceled before it renews in order to avoid the next billing cycle.
We reserve the right to change our subscription or adjust prices of our services. Any changes to your membership services will only take effect following proper notice to you.
Free Trials: Occasionally, we offer free trials for our Services. Once a free trial expires, the paid membership will commence following a notice to you.
Your account, representations, conduct and commitments
You hereby confirm that you are legally able to consent to receive Services, or have the consent of a parent or guardian, and are legally able to enter into a contract.
Minor Consent: Where consent from a parent or guardian is required to receive Services, you hereby confirm that as the consenting parent or guardian, you have the sole right to consent to Services for the minor seeking therapy and are not legally mandated to confer with or get consent from any other legal guardian before consenting. You also give affirmative consent to the provisions set forth in the accompanying Privacy Policy regarding the collection, process, and use of personal information on behalf of the minor. You also agree that consent to Services remains valid until membership is cancelled.
You hereby confirm and agree that all the information that you provided in or through the Platform, and the information that you will provide in or through the Platform in the future, is accurate, true, current and complete. Furthermore, you agree that during the term of this Agreement you will make sure to maintain and update this information so it will continue to be accurate, current and complete.
You agree, confirm and acknowledge that you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and any other security information related to your account (collectively "Account Access"). We advise you to change your password frequently and to take extra care in safeguarding your password.
You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your Account Access or any other concern for breach of your account security.
You agree, confirm and acknowledge that we will not be liable for any loss or damage that incurred as a result of someone else using your account, either with or without your consent and/or knowledge.
You agree, confirm and acknowledge that you are solely and fully liable and responsible for all activities performed using your Account Access. You further acknowledge and agree that we will hold you liable and responsible for any damage or loss incurred as a result of the use of your Account Access by any person whether authorized by you or not, and you agree to indemnify us for any such damage or loss.
You agree and commit not to use the account or Account Access of any other person for any reason.
You agree and confirm that your use of the Platform, including the Counselling/Therapist Services, are for your own personal use only and that you are not using the Platform or the Counselling/Therapist Services for or behalf of any other person or organization.
You agree and commit not to interfere with or disrupt, or attempt to interfere with or disrupt, any of our systems, services, servers, networks or infrastructure, or any of the Platform's systems, services, servers, networks or infrastructure, including without limitation obtaining unauthorized access to the aforementioned.
You agree and commit not to make any use of the Platform for the posting, sending or delivering of either of the following: (a) unsolicited email and/or advertisement or promotion of goods and services; (b) malicious software or code; (c) unlawful, harassing, privacy invading, abusive, threatening, vulgar, obscene, racist or potentially harmful content; (d) any content that infringes a third party right including intellectual property rights; (e) any content that may cause damage to a third party; (f) any content which may constitute, cause or encourage a criminal action or violate any applicable law.
You agree and commit not to violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation or ethical code in relation to your use of the Platform and your relationship with the Therapists and us.
If you receive any file from us or from a Counsellor/Therapist, whether through the Platform or not, you agree to check and scan this file for any virus or malicious software prior to opening or using this file.
You will indemnify us, defend us, and hold us harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, causes of action, demands, liabilities, costs or expenses (including, but not limited to, litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) arising out of or relating to any of the following: (a) your access to or use of the Platform; (b) any actions made with your account or Account Access whether by you or by someone else; (c) your violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement; (d) non-payment for any of the services (including Counsellor/Therapist Services) which were provided through the Platform; (e) your violation of any third party right, including, without limitation, any intellectual property right, publicity, confidentiality, property or privacy right. This clause shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.
You confirm and agree to use only credit cards or other payment means (collectively “Payment Means”) which you are duly and fully authorized to use, and that all payment related information that you provided and will provide in the future, to or through the Platform, is accurate, current and correct and will continue to be accurate, current and correct.
You agree to pay all fees and charges associated with your Account on a timely basis and according to the fees schedule, the terms and the rates as published in the Platform. By providing us with your Payment Means you authorize us to bill and charge you through that Payment Means and you agree to maintain valid Payment Means information in your Account information.
Modifications, Termination, Interruption and Disruptions to the Platform
You understand, agree and acknowledge that we may modify, suspend, disrupt or discontinue the Platform, any part of the Platform or the use of the Platform, whether to all clients or to you specifically, at any time with or without notice to you. You agree and acknowledge that we will not be liable for any of the aforementioned actions or for any losses or damages that are caused by any of the aforementioned actions.
The Platform depends on various factors such as software, hardware and tools, either our own or those owned and/or operated by our contractors and suppliers. While we make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the Platform’s reliability and accessibility, you understand and agree that no platform can be 100% reliable and accessible and so we cannot guarantee that access to the Platform will be uninterrupted or that it will be accessible, consistent, timely or error-free at all times.
Notices
We may provide notices or other communications to you regarding this agreement or any aspect of the Platform, by email to the email address that we have on record, by regular mail or by posting it online. The date of receipt shall be deemed the date on which such notice is given. Notices sent to us must be delivered by email to info@corecentre.ca or info@idealmefoundation.org.