Terms & Conditions

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Gabriella Rizkallah from Nova Scotian Art Therapy has received their Masters of Education with a concentration in Art Therapy 2019. Graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Gabriella is currently a registered counselling therapist candidate (RCT-C).

This credential is regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling and Therapists (NSCCT), which has the responsibility to protect the public by upholding ethics and standards of practice within the counselling/therapy profession.

Supervisor Information: Karen Johnston-Hutchins (RCT) holds client confidentiality as a Registered Counsellor/Therapist and can be reached by email.

PRIVACY & SHARING OF INFORMATION
Client acknowledges the clinic and associate health professionals to collect personal and medical information as documented above. In addition, client acknowledges the clinic and it’s associate health professionals to communicate with clients family doctor and/or referring doctor as deemed necessary for beneficial treatment. Also client understands that personal and medical information is confidential and will only be disclosed to third parties with their permission.

LIABILITY DISCLOSURE
Clients acknowledges that Nova Scotian Art Therapy is not liable for:

Any personal representatives, any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the studio, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from Nova Scotian Art Therapy.

Client understands that this release discharges Nova Scotian Art Therapy from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the studio with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from Nova Scotian Art Therapy.

CLIENT RIGHTS
Clients are entitled to receive information from therapist about their practices, techniques and methodologies. Connect with your therapist to receive this information upon request.

Client can seek a second opinion from another mental health professional and/or terminate at any time. Although a final closing session is preferred, it is not necessary.

A professional relationship between a client and therapist prohibits any sexual/emotional intimacy between both parties and is never appropriate. If sexual/emotional intimacy occurs it should be immediately reported to the NSCCT (https://nscct.ca/contact/ )

CONFIDENTIALITY
The content of sessions is confidential except in the following situations:
• In cases where a patient may be a danger to self or others.
• In cases of suspected child or elder abuse.
• In cases where a patient may be incapable of taking care of himself/herself/themselves
• In certain legal proceedings when required by a judicial subpoena.

Medical records are separately maintained, and no one else can have access to them without your specific, written permission.

Acknowledgement of Receipt for ‘The PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS ACT (PIPEDA)’ https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/privacy-laws-in-canada/the-personal-information-protection-and-electronic-documents-act-pipeda/r_o_p/

Client acknowledge the online version The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and have been provided an opportunity to review it.

TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATION
Virtual technology used by Nova Scotian Art Therapy is PIPED a compliant. However, at this time emails and texts are not confidential and should only include basic information when using this method of communication.

CARE OUTSIDE OF SCHEDULED SESSION
Clients are welcomed to email, call, or text if in crisis. However, if an immediate need for care please contact 911 immediately.

EMERGENCY COMPLIANCE
In the case of an emergency, the participant and/or guardian understand that every effort will be made to contact your emergency contact and or guardian. However, in the event that they cannot be reached to make arrangements for emergency medical attention at the time of illness or accident, client authorizes Nova Scotian Art Therapy to call 911 to provide urgent care for you or your child and further authorize that individual to receive medical treatment from a medical provider if deemed necessary and appropriate.


PARTNERSHIP PRIVACY POLICY
https://www.termsfeed.com/live/cf609296-2adf-4236-bf45-2ecc6ab22c5d

CANCELLATION POLICY
• At least 24 hours in advance notice prior to cancellation
• No Shows or Late Cancellations will result in a non-refundable fee equal to 50% of session/workshop cost
• 3% processing fee required for all refunds
• Fees must be paid before the next scheduled appointment
• No Shows (missing without communication) – 2 no shows may result in clients file being terminated

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY DISCLAIMERS

The intention for using social media for counselors is for marketing, education, advocacy, thought leadership, and providing content in a technologically changing field. We want to do this while making clients aware of the risks and benefits of engagement on social media where counselors are present. A therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship and in today's technological climate, a social media presence or following your therapist on social media is not to be confused with a relationship outside of therapy. Ethical, professional, and therapeutic boundaries must be followed and honored. •

A counseling social media page is not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health and medical care. A social media presence as a counseling professional is not seeking an endorsement, request, or rating from past or current clients. No social media posts should be considered professional advice. The information contained in posts is general information for educational purposes only.

Past and current clients risk breaching their privacy and confidentiality by following, liking, re-posting, commenting, and engaging on social media platforms with counselors.

In order to honor professional boundaries, ethical nuances, and not engage in and prevent any potential form of dual-relationship, counselors will not follow or friend past or current clients on social media platforms.

If there are things from your social media sites that you think would be helpful for your therapist to know, please share those things with your therapist during sessions directly.

"Direct Messaging" is another risk to your privacy. Remember commenting and messaging between sessions is not a confidential or encouraged means of communication. Please schedule an official therapy session to discuss, explore, and ask any treatment related questions or concerns. Social media is not an appropriate medium for sharing therapeutic concerns, questions, comments, or reaching out in crisis to your counselor. Comments and DM’s are monitored by staff and are not confidential.

To ensure using technology, chat rooms, and/or social media in a professional manner and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, Nova Scotian Art Therapy staff does not engage in any "personal virtual relationships" that blur the professional boundary (dual relationships) by using personal accounts as the connection point for the virtual relationship with current or former clients. We respect the privacy of our current and former clients' presence on social media unless given consent to view such information only during a scheduled session.

If you are suicidal, please call your local 24-hour hotline or 911 or emergency services.

COMPLAINT PROCESS
Review complaint process

Additional Resources
https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/
https://nscct.ca/
https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/privacy-laws-in-canada/02_05_d_15/