Privacy Policy

Owner and data controller: Dr. Laurie Ali, R.Psych.

General Information

As part of my practice, I collect data and keep records about individuals who inquire about services. This includes basic personal information (e.g., name), contact information, referral information, and general information about why you are seeking services. This information is purged on a regular basis.

I am also required to collect and store information about the clients who seek psychological services from me. This information includes demographic information (e.g., name, age, date of birth, gender), contact information, and some of the personal information that you share with me as part of providing you services. I follow the applicable privacy laws and standards of practice outlined by the College of Alberta Psychologists for both the collection and storage of personal information.

For both individuals who inquire about services and those who seek services, personal data may be stored in Owl Practice, e-mail, and on my practice computer. In all circumstances a password is required to gain access to client information.

Confidentiality and Storage of Information

Information discussed in the therapy setting is confidential and will not be shared without your written permission. However, there are some legal exceptions to confidentiality that you should be aware of:

The client threatens to harm themselves, another person, or group (i.e., including self-harm, suicide, murder, assault, or other physical harm)**
There is reasonable grounds to suspect that a minor or vulnerable person (e.g., senior or person with disabilities) is being physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abused, mistreated, or neglected **
The client’s record is subpoenaed by a court of law or I am presented with a search warrant
The client reports sexual abuse by another regulated health professional**

**Current law mandates that mental health professionals report these situations to the appropriate persons and/or agencies

I am required to keep a written note for each session. These notes are brief and for the purpose of facilitating your care. Written records are confidential, but subject to the same limits of confidentiality stated above. A secure, web-based practice management software called Owl Practice is used to store and manage client records. This includes information such as client appointments, billing documents, session notes, contact details, and other client-related information and documents. This secure service is compliant with college standards and applicable privacy laws and has several measures to ensure the privacy and security of the data storage (e.g., servers located in Canada, bank-level data encryption, routine back-up).

Should there be a medical or psychological emergency, your emergency contact may be notified. Should a circumstance arise where I am required to disclose your personal information based on the above limits of confidentiality, I will make a reasonable effort to notify you before doing so and will only release the minimum information required.

Information can be communicated with other health professionals with your written consent. Should you provide written authorization to disclose your health information, that consent is valid for 12 months and can be withdrawn at any time by notification in writing.

In the unlikely event that I am unable to provide care (e.g., in the event of an accident, emergency, or unexpected leave of absence), a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists will be given access my client records to notify my clients and arrange a suitable pause or transfer of care.

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