Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 29, 2025
Last Updated: October 29, 2025

At Martin Therapy, your privacy and confidentiality are our highest priorities. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in compliance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and other applicable privacy laws in Ontario.

We may collect personal and health information in the course of providing therapy services, including but not limited to:

• Contact information (name, phone number, email address)
   
• Personal health information (medical history, presenting concerns, treatment goals, progress notes)
   
• Payment and billing details (when applicable)
   
• Any information you voluntarily provide through forms or correspondence
   

If you contact us through our website, we collect only the information necessary to respond to your inquiry.

Your information is used for:

• Providing counselling or psychotherapy services
   
• Administrative and billing purposes
   
• Appointment scheduling and communication
   
• Record keeping as required by professional standards and legislation
   
• Responding to your inquiries or requests for information
   

Your information will never be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

By engaging in services, you consent to the collection and use of your personal and health information as outlined in this policy.
All sessions and records are confidential except where disclosure is required or permitted by law, including:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or others
   
• Suspected child abuse or neglect
   
• Court order or legal requirement
   
• Subpoena issued by a court of law
   

All electronic health records are stored securely using Jane App, a PHIPA-compliant platform that meets or exceeds Canadian privacy and data protection standards.
Physical and digital safeguards are in place to protect against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse of information.

You have the right to request access to or correction of your personal health information. Requests can be made in writing to:
Martin Therapy
Email: martintherapy@outlook.com
Attention: Privacy Officer – Shawna Anne Martin, MSW, RSW

As the sole practitioner and Health Information Custodian, Shawna Anne Martin also serves as the Privacy Officer for Martin Therapy.

If you contact us through our website or email, please note that electronic communication carries some risk of unauthorized access. We take steps to protect your information, but for sensitive matters, please communicate directly through Jane App or by phone.

Cookies or analytics tools may be used on our website to understand site traffic and improve functionality. No personal health information is collected through these tools.

Clinical records are retained for a minimum of 10 years after the last client contact, or 10 years past a client’s 18th birthday for minors, as required by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about our privacy practices, please contact:
Shawna Anne Martin, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker | Privacy Officer
Email: martintherapy@outlook.com

If your concern remains unresolved, you may contact:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC)
Website: https://www.ipc.on.ca
Phone: 1-800-387-0073