Patient Privacy
I am licensed as a member in good standing by the Manitoba College of Social Workers and the Canadian Association of Social Workers. As such, I uphold the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice in professional social work.
Ethical behaviour is at the core of every profession. The Manitoba College of Social Workers has adopted the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Social Work Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Ethical Practice, which consists of 6 core values:
Respect for the Inherent Dignity and Worth of Persons
Pursuit of Social Justice
Service to Humanity
Integrity of Professional Practice
Confidentiality in Professional Practice
Competence in Professional Practice
Personal health information is data that can be used to identify a person and details of their healthcare. This may include contact information (e.g., name, address, telephone number, e-mail address), personal characteristics (e.g., age, family connections), and health details (e.g., presenting issues, health history, medical/mental health conditions, treatments being received).
In order to provide healthcare services, Kima Connections Counselling will collect some personal health information about you. We may also ask you to complete questionnaires or other self-report tests to enable a better understanding of your health-related function and treatment needs.
The primary purpose of collecting this information is, so we may:
Evaluate your health-related needs;
Recommend appropriate treatment options; and
Provide therapy and related healthcare.
Your personal health information is stored on the secure Canadian program, “Jane”. Janeapp is a web-based agency platform that securely stores your contact information, intake forms, and consent forms on secure Canadian servers.
Your appointment confirmations, clinic invoices, and payment information is stored on the secure agency platform. Email is never used to collect payment information.
Email is used, with your consent and to your preferred address, to send narrative letters, helpful visuals and video exercises to practice between sessions. Your name and personal information will never be used in these letters. Email may also be used to arrange appointments and contact Kima Connections Counselling.
We will use reasonable means to protect the security and confidentiality of e-mail information sent and received. However, because of the risks outlined above, we cannot guarantee the security and confidentiality of e-mail communication.
Virtual care is offered through the Janeapp videoconferencing platform. Janeapp videoconferencing meets Canadian privacy laws and is privacy-compliant. Virtual care requires the use of a webcam or smartphone, and a link to the virtual session will be provided by email prior to the session. We highly recommend you test your video/audio settings the day before your session, and contact Janeapp’s tech support for assistance if needed. In the event of technical problems during your session, a back-up plan (e.g., a phone number where you can be reached) will be used to restart the session or to reschedule it.
Despite best efforts to ensure high standards of technology, there is always a risk that services could be disrupted or distorted by unforeseen technical problems.
Consent to the use of virtual and telephone-based sessions indicates your agreement with the following conditions:
Confidentiality still applies for mental health tele-services, and the session will not be recorded by the Clinician or yourself without permission from the other person(s).
It is important to be in a quiet, private space that is free of distractions during the session.
It is important to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi.
For child/adolescent clients, permission of your parent/legal guardian (and their contact information) is required to engage in tele-sessions.
Website Privacy
This privacy policy applies to the use of www.kimacounselling.ca. Your privacy is very important to us. Accordingly, we have developed this policy in order for you to understand how we collect, use, communicate and disclose and make use of personal information.
GENERAL TERMS
Before or at the time of collecting personal information, we will identify the purposes for which information is being collected. We will only retain personal information as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.
We will collect and use personal information solely with the objective of fulfilling those purposes specified by us and for other compatible purposes, unless we obtain the consent of the individual concerned or as required by law (see below). We will protect personal information by reasonable security safeguards, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.
We will collect personal information by lawful and fair means and, where appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the individual concerned. For example, this website utilizes Google Analytics and server-based analytics packages. These gather limited information on visitors to our website automatically, and stores this anonymous information in server log files. This information may include IP addresses, browser type, basic IP information, referring pages, operating system used and date/time stamps. This information does not identify individual users. It is used only for site administration, as well as for analysis of website usage and trends.
LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES
We are not responsible for the practices employed by any websites or services linked to or from our site, including the information or content contained within them. Please remember that when you use a link to go from our site to another website or service, our policy does not apply to those third-party websites or services. Your browsing and interaction on any third-party website or service, including those that have a link on our website, are subject to that third party's own rules and policies. In addition, you agree that we are not responsible and do not have control over any third-parties that you authorize to access your information. If you are using a third-party website or service, and you allow them to access your information, you do so at your own risk. Consequently, we strongly suggest that you review the privacy policy of every website you visit, whether or not they are linked to this site.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We reserve the right to disclose your personally identifiable information as required by law, when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order or other legal process.
CHANGES TO OUR POLICY
Times change, as do our privacy expectations. We consider this a living document, and may modify or update this policy from time to time, so please review it periodically. We may provide you additional forms of notice of modifications or updates as appropriate under the circumstances, as a courtesy only. Your continued use of our site after any modification to this policy will constitute your acceptance of such modification.
CONTACT DETAILS
We are committed to conducting business in accordance with this policy in order to ensure that the confidentiality of personal information is protected and maintained. We will make readily available to you, information about our policies and practices relating to the management of personal information. Accordingly, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this privacy policy, or you wish to contact us, our contact information regarding these matters is as follows:
kimberlymackey.mb@outlook.com