Privacy Policy

Effective: May 2025
First Step Men's Therapy (FSMT) operated by Adam Gelinas Psychotherapy Professional Corporation

At First Step Men's Therapy (FSMT), operated by Adam Gelinas Psychotherapy Professional Corporation, we are committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of your personal health information (PHI). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), 2004, and other applicable laws in Ontario.

1. Collection of Personal Health Information

We collect only the information necessary to provide effective, ethical, and professional psychological services. This includes, but is not limited to:

Name, date of birth, and contact information
Health history, session notes, referral details
Payment and insurance information (if applicable)

All PHI is collected with your informed consent and is used only for purposes directly related to your care.

2. Consent

You will be asked to provide informed written consent to:

Begin therapy services
Collect and store PHI
Share information with any third parties, unless required by law

You may withdraw or modify your consent at any time, subject to legal or clinical limitations. Consent forms may include options such as:

☑ Attendance confirmation
☑ Billing and insurance communication
☑ Clinical summaries or progress reports
☑ Coordination with other healthcare providers
☑ Session scheduling or reminders
☑ Legal or return-to-work documentation
☑ Other (to be specified by the client)

3. Email and Digital Communication

FSMT uses email communication for administrative purposes (e.g., scheduling, billing, form distribution). Email is not a secure platform for PHI and will only be used with your documented consent. By agreeing to email communication, you understand:

Email may not be encrypted or secure
It should not be used for sensitive clinical discussions or emergencies
Consent can be withdrawn at any time

4. Practice Management Platform: JaneApp

FSMT uses JaneApp, a Canadian-based, PHIPA-compliant electronic health record and scheduling platform. JaneApp uses 256-bit encryption and secure Canadian servers to store client data. For more details, visit: JaneApp Security

5. Contact Forms & Website Data

Information submitted through our website contact forms is sent to our clinic email hosted via Google Workspace. These submissions are retained for service purposes and are never shared or used for marketing.

FSMT uses Google Workspace for internal email and document management. While Google Workspace encrypts data in transit and at rest, some data may be routed through servers located outside of Canada. We do not transmit clinical information by email without explicit client consent and take reasonable precautions to limit email use to administrative purposes.

6. Website Analytics / Cookies

We use cookies to improve your experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device to remember preferences and gather anonymized data. You can disable cookies through your browser settings. Our website may use:

Google Analytics (for traffic and behavior analysis)
Necessary cookies for security and functionality

Google Analytics may transmit data to servers outside of Canada. It does not collect personal identifiers.

7. Embedded Content, Third-Party Websites & Information Storage

Pages on our site may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Twitter). Interacting with such content may result in data collection by those third parties, governed by their own privacy policies. Your data is not shared unless you engage with that content.

Our website may also include links to external third-party websites. These websites are not governed by FSMT and we are not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of these external sites. We advise users to review the privacy policies of any third-party website they visit.

FSMT uses select third-party platforms for tools such as digital form completion or scheduling. Where these platforms store data outside of Canada, we inform clients and offer PHIPA-compliant alternatives. Personal information will never be shared with third parties without explicit client consent.

8. Security Measures

FSMT uses secure protocols and PHIPA-compliant tools to protect your information. Security measures include:

SSL encryption on our website
Password-protected devices and systems
Access limited to authorized personnel

In the event of a data breach, appropriate action will be taken promptly, and affected individuals will be notified as required by law.

9. Retention & Disposal of Records

Clinical records are retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of last contact, or 10 years after a minor turns 18, in compliance with CRPO guidelines. Records are securely destroyed after the retention period.

10. Legal Disclosure

We may disclose your information if legally required to do so (e.g., court order, subpoena) or when disclosure is necessary to prevent harm, report abuse, or fulfill professional or legal obligations. Any disclosure will comply with PHIPA and other relevant laws.

11. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access and review your health records
Request corrections to your information
Withdraw or modify consent
File a privacy-related complaint

To do so, please contact our Privacy Officer below.

12. Contact Information

Privacy Officer
First Step Men’s Therapy

Adam Gelinas
Email: adam@firststepmenstherapy.com
Phone: 289-352-9485

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:
www.ipc.on.ca | 1-800-387-0073

13. Updates and Amendments

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on our website, and where appropriate, communicated directly to clients. Continued use of our services implies acceptance of any revised terms.

Terms & Conditions

Terms

Effective: May 2025

First Step Men's Therapy operated by Adam Gelinas Psychotherapy Professional Corporation

www.first-step.ca

These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of services provided by First Step Men's Therapy (FSMT), operated by Adam Gelinas Psychotherapy Professional Corporation, including both in-person and virtual therapy sessions, use of our website, and interaction with our communications platforms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By using our services or accessing our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws. If you do not agree, you may not access our services.

2. Professional Services

FSMT provides psychotherapy and mental health services by qualified, regulated professionals under the oversight of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), or other relevant provincial regulatory bodies. Services may include assessments, individual therapy, couples therapy, and group sessions.

FSMT does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a 24-hour crisis line.

3. Client Responsibilities

Clients are responsible for:

Providing accurate and complete information during the intake process
Attending scheduled appointments on time or providing adequate notice for cancellations (minimum 48 hours unless otherwise stated)
Reviewing and agreeing to consent forms and clinic policies
Maintaining respectful and appropriate communication with staff and therapists

4. Payment and Insurance

Clients are responsible for payment of services at the time of each session unless otherwise arranged. FSMT offers direct billing to some insurance providers but cannot guarantee coverage. It is the client’s responsibility to confirm insurance eligibility.

Late cancellation fees may apply as per our clinic policy.

5. Communication and Technology Use

FSMT uses third-party platforms for administrative communications, appointment scheduling, and virtual sessions. While we take reasonable steps to ensure privacy and security, we cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted through email or external tools.

Clients must:

Provide consent to use digital tools and third-party platforms
Avoid sharing highly sensitive information via unsecured email
Notify us of any communication preferences or security concerns

6. Intellectual Property

All content on our website (including articles, videos, branding, and downloadable materials) is the property of FSMT or its content suppliers and may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.

7. Website and Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to third-party websites for your convenience. These sites are not under FSMT’s control, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Visiting those sites is at your own risk.

8. Limitation of Liability

FSMT and Adam Gelinas Psychotherapy Professional Corporation are not liable for:

Any damages arising from use or inability to use our website or third-party platforms
Unauthorized access to personal information due to factors beyond our control
Decisions made by clients based on information provided through our services or website

9. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions periodically. Continued use of our services or website following changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

10. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at:

First Step Men’s Therapy
Email: info@firststepmenstherapy.com
Phone: 289-352-9485
www.first-step.ca

Counselling for Men across Canada