Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Crossing Bridges collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users (each, a “User”) of the crossingbridges.ca website (“Site”). This Privacy Policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Crossing Bridges.

Personal Identification Information: We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways in connection with activities, services, features, or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, and phone number. Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personal identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

Non-Personal Identification Information: We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer, and technical information about a User’s means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Web Browser Cookies: Our Site may use “cookies” to enhance User experience. The User’s web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. Users may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How We Use Collected Information. Crossing Bridges may collect and use a User’s personal information for the following purposes:

• To improve service: Information you provide helps us respond to your service requests and support needs more efficiently.
• To respond to email inquiries: We may use the email address to respond to inquiries, questions, and/or other requests.

How We Protect Your Information. We adopt appropriate data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information, and data stored on our Site.

Sharing Your Personal Information. We do not sell, trade, or rent Users’ personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and Users with our business partners, trusted affiliates, and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.

Confidentiality of Virtual Counselling Services

Crossing Bridges staff members will document the information you share during virtual counselling in your electronic file. All information you share with Crossing Bridges staff is protected under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). You have the right to request to view the information contained in your file at anytime.

Crossing Bridges staff are all expected to protect your information and will not release your information to a third party without your consent. You have the right to refuse to share information with third parties.

Limits of Confidentiality

As you will be discussing very personal issues during the virtual counselling assessment and treatment process, all possible efforts will be made to keep what you say completely confidential. However, there are some special situations under which your information may not be kept completely confidential. Some examples of these special situations include:

1. Cases may be discussed internally amongst the Crossing Bridges staff. This sharing allows for providing information to other members of the team that may be involved in your care. It also allows for case consultation to assist in ensuring that the best plan is in place for you.
2. You sign a consent form for information to be shared with someone else, for example, another service provider you are working with, your family physician, or lawyer.
3. The information is subpoenaed or ordered by a court, where the judge determines that your record is relevant to the civil (divorce, child custody matters or a lawsuit for example) or criminal proceedings at any time.
4. Crossing Bridges staff have reasonable grounds to believe that disclosing your information is necessary to eliminate or reduce a significant risk of bodily harm to yourself or others.
5. You report anything that may be a concern to the safety or well-being of children. This can include having a sexual interest in children and/or a history of sexual offending, and having unsupervised contact with children. The Ontario Child and Family Services Act requires that this be reported to the Children’s Aid Society.
6. You report anything that suggests someone is being abused or neglected.
7. There is a medical emergency and we need to contact emergency services on your behalf.
8. You disclose past or present sexual abuse by a member of a regulated health discipline. The Crossing Bridges staff member may need to report the abuse to the appropriate professional college. The report to the professional college will (1) be done with your knowledge and (2) will include your name, only with your written consent.
9. A governing body (eg. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) may audit files for purposes of quality assurance.

Changes to This Privacy Policy. Crossing Bridges has the discretion to update this Privacy Policy at any time. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this Privacy Policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Your Acceptance of These Terms. By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this Site, or your dealings with this Site, please contact us at support@crossingbridges.ca.