1 - Confidentiality Duty
All communications all records relating to the provision of mental health services are confidential and cannot be disclosed without the client’s (or guardian’s) written consent.
Personal information is collected, used, and stored in accordance with all relevant privacy legislation.
Legal and ethical obligations may require us to share confidential information when:
There is risk of imminent harm to self or others
There is reasonable suspicion that a child, elder, vulnerable person, or animal is being abused, neglected, or is at risk of abuse
The court issues a subpoena regarding information that has been shared in therapy or obtained as a part of an assessment
Medical emergencies or coroner reports
If confidentiality needs to be breached, the Comox MFRC Executive Director will be notified and the practitioner will work to ensure only the necessary information is shared.
2 - Privacy Rights
Confidentiality is our professional duty, whereas, privacy has to do with your rights and the limitations therein. You have the right to have your information safeguarded.
Privacy laws intersect in the modern world, particularly where technologies are used to facilitate communication. Certain platforms used to facilitate connection are accessed by way of user agreements. These have inherent limitations. Safeguards are implemented in order to mitigate any breach of privacy.
When online services are requested, we use a secure videoconferencing software and retain appropriate licenses to ensure all technologies are used in a secure and compliant fashion. We take every precaution to protect your privacy with regard to all communications.
3 - Releasing Information
Subject to the conditions above, consent to the release of any of your personal information must be obtained before any disclosure.
We have a separate form that can be signed in situations where notes, forms, recommendations, or referrals become needed.
Verbal consent may be sufficient at times, however, written consent may be additionally required and will be discussed with you, as necessary.
4 - Risks and Benefits
Therapy may provide significant benefits including but not limited to, resolution of presenting issues, strengthens relationships, and an increase of coping, self-care, insight and healing.
Therapy may also pose risks including but not limited to; experiencing uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, recalling troubling memories, and confronting difficult issues in various areas of your life.
We encourage you to communicate your experiences with us throughout the therapeutic process in order to minimize risks and maximize benefits.
Therapy is most effective when you are comfortable with your therapist. If you do not feel comfortable or connected, We encourage you to communicate this openly so that we may ensure you are referred to someone who may be a better fit.
5 - Your Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, and without discrimination regardless of your age, gender, mental and physical status, sexual orientation, race, belief system, or ethnic background.
You have the right to receive mental health services from an ethical and competent professional whose work is grounded in evidence and held accountable by a public body. The regulatory body governing mental health services at the Comox MFRC is the British Columbia College of Social Workers (www.bccsw.ca).
You have the right to ask questions at any time and be informed about the qualifications, areas of specialization, scope and framework of practice, and codes of ethics that our social worker is held accountable to.
6 - Appointments
Your appointment time is reserved for you and we request that you make every reasonable effort to attend. We understand that life happens and kindly ask that if you need to cancel or reschedule, to give us as much notice as possible.
Chronically late, cancelled, or no-show appointments may result in your file being reviewed for suitability for services.
If the event that we need to reschedule your appointment, we will provide as much notice as possible and get you booked for another appointment as soon as we are able.
7 - Client Files
The Comox MFRC utilized a secure electronic file management system. This system is confidential, with access restricted to authorized personnel only. We also have physical files, which are stored and archived in accordance with all relevant privacy legislation, regulations, and standards of practice.
All records are the property of the Comox MFRC. Clients may access information in their file by submitting a written request to the Executive Director, who will arrange a time for file review. Your file may be accessed by members of the mental health team to ensure continuity of care, conduct file audits, or perform accreditation reviews.
As a funded non-profit organization, the Comox MFRC may collect information for statistical or reporting purposes. To maintain confidentiality, statistical and reporting data is aggregated and does not include personal identifiers.
Upon closure, all adult files (aged 19 and over) are retained for 7 years, except in cases of sexual abuse, where files are retained indefinitely. For minors, files are retained for 7 years after they have reached the age of 19.
This consent form is valid for 1 (one) year from the date of signing, and consent can be withdrawn at any time upon your request.
