Privacy Policy
Healing Quest Counselling (HQC) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information in accordance with British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and applicable professional standards.
Personal Information We Collect
HQC collects only personal information that is reasonably necessary to provide and administer counselling services and operate the practice. Depending on your relationship with HQC, this may include:
contact and identifying information;
appointment and scheduling information;
billing and payment information;
information provided through inquiries, forms, email, or other communications; and
clinical information collected by your therapist in the course of providing counselling services.
HQC may also collect personal information relating to associates, contractors, applicants, and others who interact with the practice.
How Personal Information Is Used
Personal information may be used for purposes such as:
responding to inquiries and facilitating access to counselling services;
scheduling and administering appointments;
providing counselling services;
processing payments and maintaining financial records;
communicating with clients;
maintaining records as required by law and applicable professional standards; and
operating and administering HQC.
HQC will not collect, use, or disclose personal information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider inappropriate in the circumstances.
Consent and Disclosure
Personal information is collected, used, and disclosed with consent except where otherwise permitted or required by law.
Personal information may be disclosed without consent where legally authorized or required, including circumstances involving legal proceedings, statutory reporting obligations, or serious concerns for safety where disclosure is permitted by law.
HQC may also use third-party service providers to support practice operations. Personal information shared with service providers is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the service being provided.
Clinical Records
Therapists practising through HQC are responsible for maintaining clinical records in accordance with the requirements of their respective professional and regulatory bodies.
Clinical and administrative information may be stored electronically through practice-management and other technology systems used by HQC and its associates. Access is limited to individuals who require access for legitimate clinical, administrative, legal, or regulatory purposes.
Clinical information discussed in professional consultation is not identified unless disclosure is otherwise authorized or required by law.
Safeguarding Personal Information
HQC uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technological safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information it holds. These include measures intended to limit unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or loss of personal information.
If HQC becomes aware of a privacy or security incident, the incident will be assessed and addressed in accordance with applicable privacy law.
Retention and Destruction
Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to meet applicable legal, regulatory, professional, and business requirements.
Clinical records are retained and securely destroyed in accordance with the requirements applicable to the treating therapist.
Access and Correction
Individuals may request access to personal information about themselves that is within HQC's custody or control and may request correction of information they believe is inaccurate.
Where a request relates to a clinical record for which an associate therapist is responsible, HQC may coordinate the request with or direct the individual to the appropriate therapist.
Some information may be withheld where permitted or required by law.
Questions, Concerns, and Complaints
HQC has designated a Privacy Officer who is responsible for overseeing the practice's compliance with PIPA and responding to privacy questions and concerns.
Privacy Officer
Kirsten Boulier, MSW, RCSW
Healing Quest Counselling
Email: info@healingquestcounsellin.com
Questions, access or correction requests, and concerns about the handling of personal information may be directed to the Privacy Officer.
If a privacy concern cannot be resolved directly with HQC, individuals may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia.
Last updated: August 2026