Privacy Policy and Limits of Confidentiality

Consistent with relevant provincial and national legislation (see here and here for more information) Personal Health Information is collected solely for treatment purposes. You have the right to access your health information, and at your request will be provided with copies for a minimal fee. You always have a right to ask questions about the way personal health information is being kept private. Clinical files are kept securely for a minimum of 10 years after the date of your last contact with the Toronto OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center.

The fact that you are seeking psychological services, and the information you share as part of this process is confidential. This means it will not be shared without your consent, except in the following situations as described in, or required by law: 

  1. If psychologists believe a patient is at imminent risk of physical harm to oneself, or may harm another person, psychologists may take actions to protect patients and/or third parties, even if doing so involves breaking confidentiality.
  2. If psychologists have reasonable grounds to believe that another registered health care professional (e.g., a dentist, chiropractor, physician, etc.) has sexually abused, sexually assaulted, or sexually harassed a patient, they must report that practitioner to their regulatory body.
  3. If psychologists suspect child abuse or neglect, or abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, such as an adult in a retirement or long term care home, the suspicion and the information on which it is based must be reported to a local aid society.
  4. In situations where there is a court order, psychologists are legally required to submit the requested information and documents.
  5. In situations where the police have issued an Urgent Order in the case of a missing person, psychologists are legally required to submit the requested information and documents.
  6. Psychologists are regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario, who may periodically inspect our records as a part of their regulatory activities in the public interest.