Privacy Policy

Watershed Psychotherapy Inc. ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your personal health information and upholding your privacy rights in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and applicable Canadian privacy laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you interact with our website or engage our psychotherapy services.

1. Contact Information

Watershed Psychotherapy Inc.
Address: 420 George St. N., Unit 308, Peterborough, ON K9H 3R5
Phone: (705) 455-2060
Email: william@watershedpsychotherapyinc.com
Privacy Contact: William Doherty

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal and personal health information:

  • Identification Information: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address

  • Health Information: Medical history, presenting issues, treatment plans, and session notes

  • Website Data: IP addresses, browser type, access times, and pages viewed (non-identifiable)

We collect information directly from you, or with your consent, from other health care providers or authorized third parties.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used for:

  • Providing psychotherapy services

  • Communicating with you regarding appointments and services

  • Ensuring quality of care and clinical documentation

  • Billing and payment processing (if applicable)

  • Meeting legal and regulatory requirements

  • Website performance monitoring (non-personally identifiable data)

We only use your information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the context of your care.

4. Consent

Your consent is obtained before collecting, using, or disclosing your personal health information, except where permitted or required by law. Consent may be written, verbal, or implied depending on the situation. You may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal and contractual limitations.

5. Disclosure of Information

We will not disclose your information without your consent unless:

  • Required by law (e.g., court order, mandatory reporting obligations)

  • There is risk of serious harm to you or others

  • Sharing is necessary for your care and you have consented to such sharing

  • Required by regulatory bodies for professional conduct review

6. Safeguarding Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, or theft, including:

  • Secure recordkeeping (both electronic and paper files)

  • Use of encrypted communication platforms

  • Restricted access to personal health information

  • Regular data security reviews

7. Retention and Destruction of Records

Client records are retained in accordance with professional and legal requirements. Typically, records are kept for at least 10 years after the last contact (or 10 years after the client turns 18, if applicable). After this period, records are securely destroyed.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal health information

  • Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information

  • Withdraw consent for use or disclosure (subject to legal exceptions)

  • Be informed of any breaches of your personal information

To make a request, please contact our Privacy Officer using the contact details above.

9. Third-Party Services & Website Analytics

Our website may use third-party services (e.g., Google Analytics) to collect anonymized data on site usage. This information is used to improve website performance and user experience. No personal health information is collected through the website unless you explicitly submit it (e.g., via contact forms).

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated policy will be posted on our website with the revised "Effective Date". Your continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Questions or Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or a complaint about our privacy practices, please contact:

William Doherty
Privacy Officer
Watershed Psychotherapy Inc.
Email: william@watershedpsychotherapyinc.com
Phone: (705) 455-2060

You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction:

https://www.ipc.on.ca
Phone: 1-800-387-0073