Privacy Policy

Your privacy matters. Learn how Clear Moon Therapy ensures the safety and confidentiality of your personal information.

Introduction

At Clear Moon Therapy, I am committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how I collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use my therapy services or visit my website. I am operating under the business name Darshana Patel Social Work Professional Corporation.

Information I Collect

Personal Information

I collect personal information that you provide directly to me, including:

Name, address, phone number, and email address
Date of birth and demographic information
Health insurance information (if applicable)
Medical and mental health history
Information shared during therapy sessions
Payment information
Emergency contact information

Website and Technical Information

When you visit my website, I may automatically collect:

Browser type and version
IP address
Device information
Pages visited and time spent on my website
Referral sources

How I Use Your Information

I use your personal information for the following purposes:

To provide therapeutic services
To communicate with you about appointments and treatment
To process payments
To maintain treatment records as required by law and professional standards
To improve my services and website experience
To comply with legal and professional obligations

Confidentiality and Disclosure

Your privacy is the cornerstone of our therapeutic relationship. I maintain strict confidentiality standards and will not disclose your personal information except in the following circumstances:

When I Must Disclose

With your explicit written consent
When required by law, including:
- Reporting suspected abuse or neglect of children, elderly, or vulnerable persons
- When there is a serious and imminent threat to your safety or the safety of others
- In response to a court order, warrant, or subpoena
For emergency medical situations
For consultation with other healthcare professionals (without revealing identifying information)
For payment processing purposes (limited to required information)

Data Security

I implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

Physical safeguards (secure office access, proper document storage)
Electronic safeguards (encryption, password protection, secure platforms)
Administrative procedures (confidentiality training, limited access)

Despite my best efforts, no security system is completely impenetrable. I cannot guarantee the security of my database, nor can I guarantee that information you supply won't be intercepted while being transmitted over the internet.

Electronic Communications

Please be aware that email, text messaging, and other electronic communications may not be secure methods of communication. While I take precautions to protect confidentiality, I cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted electronically. For sensitive or urgent matters, I recommend phone or in-person communication.

I use secure, health privacy-compliant platforms for video sessions and certain communications that adhere to Canadian privacy standards. However, by communicating with me through electronic methods, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks.

Retention of Information

I retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law or professional standards. Clinical records are typically maintained for a minimum of 7-10 years after the last date of service, or as required by applicable provincial regulations and Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) guidelines.

Your Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

Access to your personal information
Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures
Receive an accounting of disclosures made
Obtain a copy of your clinical record (fees may apply)
Revoke authorization for release of information (except to the extent already disclosed)

Service Providers

I may engage trusted third-party service providers to perform functions on my behalf, such as payment processing, scheduling, and electronic health records management. These service providers have access to personal information needed to perform their functions but are prohibited from using it for other purposes and must comply with Canadian privacy legislation.

Children's Privacy

My services are primarily directed to adults. In Ontario, the age of consent to treatment is generally considered to be 12 years of age, though this can vary depending on the minor's capacity to understand the information and appreciate the consequences of their decisions. For clients under 18 years of age, I may require parental/guardian consent depending on the specific circumstances and the minor's capacity to consent.

I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. If I learn I have collected personal information from a child under 13 without proper consent, I will take steps to delete that information promptly. For adolescents aged 13-17, I follow applicable Ontario laws and OCSWSSW guidelines regarding capacity to consent and confidentiality.

Third-Party Websites

My website may contain links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these websites. I encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Updates to Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in my practices or relevant laws. I will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on my website with a new effective date. Your continued use of my services after such modifications constitutes your acknowledgment of the modified Privacy Policy.