Privacy Policy

- Mindful Mage Counseling -

Privacy Policy for Mindful Mage Counselling

You don't want your personal information to fall into the wrong hands. Neither does Mindful Mage Counselling. We are committed to safeguarding your personal information and ensuring compliance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data, covering both counselling clients and users.

Website Privacy Policy

This privacy policy ("Privacy Policy") outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information related to your use of the Mindful Mage Counseling website ("Site"). By using this Site, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into and part of our overall Terms and Conditions governing your use of the Site.

Age Requirement

Mindful Mage Counselling does not intentionally target anyone under the age of 16. Our Sites and services are not directed toward people under the age of 16, nor do we knowingly collect information from individuals under the age of 16. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 are granted permission to use our Sites only with the permission of their parent or guardian.

Definitions

  • Personal Information: Any information about an identifiable individual, including but not limited to the individual's name, address, and phone number, age, sex, marital or family status, any identifying numbers, medical information, education, and financial information.
  • Contact Information: Business-related information that would enable an individual to be contacted at a place of business and includes name, position name or title, business telephone number, business address, business email or business fax number. Contact information is not covered by this policy or PIPA.
  • Privacy Officer: The individual responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and PIPA.
  • Site: Refers to the Mindful Mage Counselling (“mindfulmagecounselling.ca”) website.
  • Client/User: Individuals who use our services or interacts with our website.

Policy 1: Collecting Personal Information

1.1 Counselling Clients

Mindful Mage Counselling is committed to protecting the personal information of our clients. We collect only the personal information required to:

  • Deliver requested counselling services;
  • Enrol clients in counselling programs;
  • Track therapeutic progress and outcomes;
  • Maintain clinical records as required by law and regulatory bodies.

Personal information is typically collected directly from you. Information may also be collected from other sources with your consent or as permitted by law (refer to Policy 2 – Consent below). The purposes for collecting your information are identified before or at the time of collection, and your information is retained only as long as necessary for these purposes.

This information is used solely for managing your forum participation. It is collected directly during the registration process and stored securely.

1.2 Collection Method

We collect personal information directly from clients and users, unless authorised by law to collect from third parties (e.g., emergency situations or authorised disclosures).

1.3 Minimal Collection

We only collect personal information necessary to fulfil the identified purposes for counselling services outlined above.

Policy 2: Consent

2.1 Obtaining Consent

We will obtain your consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information, except where authorised by law. Consent can be provided in writing, electronically, or verbally.

2.2 Implied Consent

Consent can be provided electronically, in writing or through an authorised representative of the Mindful Mage Counselling or it can be implied where the purpose for collecting, using or disclosing the personal information would be considered obvious and the member voluntarily provides personal information for that purpose (e.g., submitting a form to book a consultation).

2.3 Opt-Out Options

You may opt-out of having your personal information used for specific purposes, such as marketing communications.

2.4 Withdrawing Consent

Subject to certain exceptions (e.g., the personal information is necessary to provide the service or product, or the withdrawal of consent would frustrate the performance of a legal obligation), you can withhold or withdraw your consent from Mindful Mage Counselling to use your personal information in certain ways. Your decision to withhold or withdraw your consent to certain uses of personal information may restrict our ability to provide a particular service or product. If so, we will explain the situation to assist you in making the decision.

2.5 Exceptions to Consent

We may collect, use or disclose personal information without the members knowledge or consent in the following limited circumstances:

A full listing of such circumstances can be found in sections 12, 15, and 18 of PIPA. Some examples include:

  • When the collection, use or disclosure of personal information is permitted or required by law;
  • In an emergency that threatens an individual's life, health, or personal security;
  • When the personal information is available from a public source (e.g., a telephone directory);
  • When we require legal advice from a lawyer;
  • For the purposes of collecting a debt;
  • To protect ourselves from fraud;
  • To investigate an anticipated breach of an agreement or a contravention of law.

Policy 3: Using and Disclosing Personal Information

3.1 Use

Personal information will only be used for the purposes identified at the time of collection or for purposes consistent with those original purposes.

3.2 Disclosure

We will not disclose personal information to third parties without your written consent, except as required by law or as necessary to provide our services.

3.3 No Sale of Information

We do not sell, trade, or share personal information with other parties.

Policy 4: Retaining Personal Information

4.1 Retention Period

If personal information is used to make a decision affecting you (e.g., client termination or forum user termination), we will retain that information for a minimum of one year. All clinical records are retained in accordance with applicable legislation and ethical guidelines.

4.2 Access to Information

Subject to policy 4.1, personal information will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law.

Policy 5: Ensuring Accuracy of Personal Information

5.1 Accuracy

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that personal information is accurate and complete.

5.2 Correction Requests

You may request corrections to your personal information to ensure its accuracy and completeness. Requests must be made in writing. A request to correct personal information must be made in writing and provide sufficient detail to identify the personal information and the correction being sought.

5.3 Implementing Corrections

If corrections are made, we will inform any third parties who have received the incorrect information. If the personal information is demonstrated to be inaccurate or incomplete, we will correct the information as required within two (2) days of the updated information being provided. If the correction is not made, we will make a note on the client’s file for the correction request.

Policy 6: Securing Personal Information

6.1 Security Measures

We are committed to protecting your personal information from unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification or disposal or similar risks. Security measures include encryption, secure databases, and restricted access.

The following security measures will be followed to ensure that client/user personal information is appropriately protected:

Including but not limited to:

  • Physical safeguards (the use of locked filing cabinets, physically securing offices where personal information is held);
  • Data encryption and secure storage (e.g., JaneApp);
  • Password-protected systems (the use of user IDs, passwords, encryption, firewalls);
  • Restricting employee access to personal information as appropriate (i.e., only those that need to know will have access).

6.2 Data Destruction

Where applicable we will use appropriate security measures when destroying clients’/users’ personal information such as shredding documents, deleting electronically stored information. When personal information is no required, it will be securely destroyed.

6.3 Ongoing Improvements

As technology advances, Mindful Mage Counselling will continually review and update our security policies to ensure ongoing personal information security.

6.4 Breach Notification

Should a privacy breach occur, we will notify affected individuals and appropriate authorities as required by law.

Policy 7: Providing Access to Personal Information

7.1 Access Rights

You have the right to access your personal information, subject to certain limited exceptions. A full listing of the exceptions to access can be found in section 23 of PIPA. Some examples include:

  • Solicitor-client privilege;
  • Disclosure would reveal personal information about another individual;
  • Health and safety concerns.

7.2 Requesting Access

Requests for access must be made in writing and provide sufficient detail to identify the information sought.

7.3 Response Time

We will respond to access requests within fifteen (15) business days or provide written notice if an extension is required.

7.4 Refusal of Access

If access is refused, Mindful Mage Counselling will provide reasons for the refusal and inform you of any recourse available.

Policy 8: Questions and Complaints

8.1 Privacy Officer

The Privacy Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Privacy Officer at fox@mindfulmagecounselling.ca.

8.2 Resolution Process

Clients/users should direct any complaints, concerns or questions regarding the Mindful Mage Counselling compliance in writing to Fox Mori. If the Fox Mori is unable to resolve the concern, the member may also write to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.

Website: https://oipc.ab.ca/

8.3. Complaints to Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT)

If you have a concern about any aspect of your counselling, you are requested to first address it with your counsellor (Fox Mori). If this is impossible or unsafe, or if your concern is not resolved through discussion, you may contact ACCT directly to initiate a formal concern or complaint process:

Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT)

Policy 9: Acceptance of This Policy

9.1 Agreement

By using our site and services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our site.

9.2 Policy Updates

We reserve the right to update this policy as necessary. Changes will be posted on our Site, and continued use of the site indicates acceptance of these changes.

General

We take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your personal information. Mindful Mage Counselling operates in strict compliance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which came into effect on January 1, 2004, and governs how we collect, use, and disclose your data. This document sets out the ground rules for how Alberta businesses and not-for-profit organisations may collect, use and disclose personal information.

Our privacy policy is designed to keep your data accurate, confidential, and secure. We believe in transparency, informing you of why and how your information is collected and used. This policy applies to all personal information managed by Mindful Mage Counselling and extends to any third parties handling data on our behalf.

Site Technologies

To enhance your experience on our site, we may use “cookies” and/or other similar technologies, (e.g., web bugs, email bugs, clear GIFs, web beacons and tracker GIFs) in the Site or in our communications with you to enhance the functionality of the Site and to make your transactions and other activities more convenient and efficient (collectively, "Tracking Technologies"). These tools help us understand how you interact with our site, allowing us to tailor content and improve functionality. Disabling cookies in your browser may limit some features, but you’re in control of your experience.

We also collect your IP (Internet Protocol) address to diagnose issues, manage our site, and analyse trends. While third parties may deploy their own tracking technologies through our site, we encourage you to review their privacy policies as we do not control their practices.

Data Security

We use encryption and other security measures to protect the transfer of your data to and from our site. While we take extensive precautions to safeguard your information, the open nature of the internet means we cannot guarantee complete protection from unauthorised access. By using our Site, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks involved in online data transmission. We disclaim liability for any unauthorised access, theft, or loss of your data during its transfer or storage on our servers.

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