Confidentiality
As your mental health professional I am bound to confidentiality unless one of these 3 things happens.
- You are at risk for harming yourself or someone else.
- There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult in the home. I am a mandated reporter.
- Your records are subpoenaed to court.
Privacy Considerations
I take the protection of your information very seriously. Progress notes need to be completed in order to bill insurance. I keep my notes to the point and concise. I do not keep paper files. You will need to consent to telehealth before we begin our sessions. Your personal data is managed in accordance to Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
You can authorize me to communicate with your Family Doctor. I will need you to sign a release of information. Please return it to me once signed. We will have a discussion beforehand about what information you would like shared.
Please attend your telehealth appointments in a secure and private environment. I will not conduct your appointments with you in the grocery store distracted. You can expect me to be in my home office without distraction and with your privacy honored.
Limitations of Virtual Healthcare – I cannot complete in person and physical assessments. For mental health that includes in person crisis support. For that reason, I will refer you to additional services if I am not able to meet your needs. I provide the crisis line information during intake and throughout our time together as needed. I work part time in private practice at this time and so I am not available for crisis appointments.
My internet connection is private. I will never join our sessions from a coffee shop.
Communication
You can communicate with me through text, phone, or secure e-mail. Please remember that I cannot control who reads your email. Email on my side is supported with secure connections. The phone number provided for my contact information is my business line. I typically respond within 24 hours unless I am on vacation. I will give you notice of any time that I am going to be away.
Safety
My practice will focus on mild/moderate mental health concerns. This is due to the nature of my schedule and the mode of service (telehealth/telephone). If your needs exceed the support level that I can provide – I will assist you with connecting to MHSU. My limited schedule defines the support I can ethically give and I am not a crisis response service.
Please call 604.951.8855 (Fraser Health’s Crisis Line – open 24/7) if you are in crisis. Or attend your local Emergency Room for support. You matter and tomorrow can be a better day. Please seek support if you need it. I care about you.
Sunflower Counselling 