Privacy Policy

Beyond Barriers Therapy Center (“BBTC”) is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the individuals and families we serve. We recognize that personal and personal health information may be sensitive. We collect, use, disclose, retain and safeguard information only for legitimate purposes connected with providing services, communicating with clients and families, operating our organization and meeting applicable legal and professional obligations.

Personal and Health Information
Depending on the services provided, BBTC may collect information such as contact information, demographic information, service and appointment information, assessments, treatment information, clinical notes, consent records, billing information and other information reasonably required to provide or administer services.

We seek to limit collection to information that is reasonably necessary for the identified purpose. Personal health information is handled in accordance with applicable Ontario privacy requirements, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) where applicable, as well as applicable professional and regulatory requirements.

Consent
BBTC obtains consent where required before collecting, using or disclosing personal health information. Consent may be express or implied where permitted by law and must relate to the particular circumstances and purpose involved. Individuals may ask questions about how their information will be used and may withdraw or limit consent where legally permitted. Withdrawal of consent does not affect uses or disclosures that have already lawfully occurred and may be subject to legal, clinical, professional or record-retention requirements. Consent to treatment, consent to share health information, website privacy choices and consent to receive promotional communications are separate matters and will not be treated as one blanket authorization.

Children, Youth and Decision-Making
BBTC respects the rights, dignity, communication needs and participation of children and youth receiving services. Consent and access to health information are determined according to applicable Ontario law, including the individual's capacity to understand the relevant information and reasonably foreseeable consequences of a decision. BBTC does not assume solely on the basis of age that every child or youth is incapable of making a particular health-care decision. Where a substitute decision-maker is legally required, BBTC will work with the appropriate authorized individual while continuing to respect the dignity, communication preferences and involvement of the person receiving services.

How Information May Be Used
Information may be used as reasonably necessary to:

- provide, coordinate and document services
- communicate with clients, families and authorized representatives
- schedule and administer services
- support continuity and quality of care
- process authorized billing or funding requirements
- meet professional, regulatory, safety and legal obligations
- respond to requests, concerns or complaints
- operate and protect BBTC's services and systems.

BBTC does not sell personal health information. Information is not disclosed to third parties except with appropriate authority or consent, as reasonably necessary to provide authorized services, or where disclosure is permitted or required by law.

Confidentiality and Safeguards
BBTC uses reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information under its control. Access to confidential information is limited to individuals who require it for an authorized purpose. Staff, clinicians, contractors and service providers are expected to protect confidentiality in accordance with their roles, applicable agreements and professional obligations.

Access and Correction
Subject to applicable law, individuals may request access to personal health information about themselves and may request correction of information they believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Certain legal exceptions may apply. BBTC may also need to verify the identity or authority of the person making a request before releasing information. Requests concerning access, correction or privacy should be directed to BBTC using the contact information provided on this website.

Retention and Disposal
BBTC retains records for the periods required by applicable legislation, professional standards, contractual requirements and legitimate clinical or operational needs.

Information is securely disposed of or de-identified when it is no longer required and when applicable retention obligations permit.

Privacy Breaches
BBTC takes suspected loss, theft, unauthorized access, use or disclosure of personal information seriously. Where a privacy incident occurs, BBTC will assess the circumstances, take reasonable steps to contain and address the incident and provide notifications or reports where required by applicable law.

Website Privacy
Visitors may browse general areas of the BBTC website without providing clinical information. The website or its service providers may process limited technical information required to operate, secure and understand use of the site, such as browser, device, network or cookie-related information. Any optional analytics, embedded services or third-party technologies are subject to the privacy practices and controls applicable to those services. Visitors should not submit detailed personal health information through public website features unless BBTC has specifically directed them to an appropriate communication method.

Third-Party Services
BBTC may use reputable third-party technology or service providers to support functions such as website hosting, communications, scheduling or business administration.

Where personal information is handled by a service provider, BBTC seeks to use appropriate safeguards and to limit information sharing to what is reasonably necessary for the authorized purpose. No mobile opt-in data, including consent to receive SMS/text messages, will be shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Mobile opt-in information and consent data will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for any purpose unrelated to providing the requested messaging services, except as required or permitted by applicable law. Third-party websites linked from the BBTC website operate under their own terms and privacy practices. Confidentiality Has Legal Limits. Confidentiality is important, but it is not absolute. Information may be collected, used or disclosed without consent in circumstances permitted or required by law, including certain situations involving safety, statutory reporting obligations, legal proceedings or regulatory requirements. BBTC will limit such disclosure to what is reasonably necessary and legally authorized.

Questions, Concerns and Complaints
Individuals are encouraged to contact Beyond Barriers Therapy Center if they have questions about privacy, wish to exercise a privacy right or believe their information has been handled improperly. BBTC will review privacy concerns in accordance with applicable requirements.

Our Commitment
Beyond Barriers Therapy Center is committed to maintaining respectful, confidential and responsible information practices that support the privacy, safety and dignity of the people we serve. This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in BBTC's services, technology, professional requirements or applicable law.

Beyond Barriers Therapy Center
497 Laurier Avenue, Unit 1
Milton, Ontario
Phone: 289-621-1808
Email: welcome@beyondbarrierstherapy.com