In therapy, informed consent covers important information about what to expect in the therapy process. This includes what the potential benefits and risks are, what treatment options and alternatives are available, and what your rights are as a client.

1. Nature of Therapy

Your therapist will:

• Describe their theoretical approach (for more information, please see Therapeutic Approaches),
• Outline the techniques or methods that they use during sessions, and
• Articulate the goals and objectives of therapy, helping you to seek clarification on any questions or concerns you may have.

2. Risks and Benefits

Your therapist will explain what the potential risks and benefits are of receiving therapy. These include:

• Risks: Potential emotional discomfort, challenges, temporary worsening of symptoms (e.g., as a result of processing intense emotions), and
• Benefits: Potential positive outcomes (e.g., improved mental health and wellbeing, better coping, enhanced self-awareness, and improvements in interpersonal relationships).

3. Confidentiality

Confidentiality in therapy relates to your therapist’s ethical and legal obligation to keep all information you share private and secure. Your therapist will provide and walk you through detailed information about confidentiality and circumstances where confidentiality may be broken (see below, Limits to Confidentiality).

4. Length and Frequency of Therapy Sessions

Your therapist will discuss the duration and frequency of therapy sessions (please note that the frequency will vary on a case-by-case basis).

5. Cost and Payment

Your therapist will review information regarding session fees and payment methods, insurance coverage, and cancellation policies associated with missed appointments.

6. Client Rights

Your therapist will inform you of your rights in the therapeutic relationship. This includes but is not limited to:

• The right to terminate therapy at any time without repercussion.
• The right to ask and seek clarification on questions or aspects of the therapeutic process,
• The right to refuse any part of therapy that may cause discomfort, and

Everything discussed in therapy is confidential. This means that the therapist does not share the details of your session with anyone without your written consent. However, there are certain circumstances where a therapist is ethically obligated by the regulatory body, or where required by local, provincial/territorial, or federal law. These exceptions are as follows:

• A client discloses intentions or a plan to harm themselves or another person,
• A client states or suggests that they are abusing or has recently abused a child or vulnerable adult, or that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse,
• Abuse by a regulated healthcare professional (i.e., doctor, nurse, social worker)
• A client is a non-emancipated minor (in which case parents or legal guardians have the right to access client’s records), and
• A client’s information and records are subpoenaed.

PHIPA is a legislative framework in Ontario, Canada that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information by healthcare providers, including those who provide online therapy services. PHIPA aims to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ health information while ensuring the necessary sharing of information for appropriate healthcare purposes.

According to PHIPA, personal health information includes any identifying details about your health, healthcare history, and records of care, such as medical conditions, treatments, and your interactions with healthcare providers. This also covers information about your health insurance and other personal identifiers like your name, address, or health number (for more information and details about PHIPA, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/040329).

PIPEDA is a law that is applied at the federal level across Canada and is enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (except in provinces with substantially similar legislation where provincial privacy commissioners may have enforcement powers).

Similar to PHIPA, PIPEDA governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by private sector organizations across Canada. PIPEDA applies to the protection of personal information in commercial activities, including online therapy services offered by private sector organizations.